MUFTi Kit 901 – Using pectin
Resource Review
Description
MUFTi kit 901 is the first of a new series of Food Technology experiment kits produced by Massey University.
The kit is designed to support the planning and delivery of Food Technology and Food and Nutrition programmes in schools. Using pectin in the production of acidified milk fruit drinks, these kits demonstrate the use of food additives in product development and provide an opportunity for students to discover the origin and characteristics of the additives concerned through simple experiments. The kits also provide an opportunity for Food Technology classes to draw on other disciplines, such as Chemistry.
Curriculum / Qualifications links
The kit has been developed to support Technology in The New Zealand Curriculum (2007):
- Technological practice – models the suitability of materials based on their performance properties
- Technological knowledge – demonstrates how the performance specification of a product will determine the performance properties required of the materials suitable for the formulation of a fruit milk drink.
- Nature of technology – demonstrates the cause of a particular Technological Outcome malfunction, resulting consequences and how failures can inform future outcomes.
Content
Each kit includes a different high performance food additive (high-methoxy pectin in the case of MUFTi 901), basic product testing equipment not usually found in the food lab environment and three different food flavours and colours. Also included is a CD that contains background context-specific knowledge and information, instructions for use, PowerPoint presentations to support the delivery of the content, response sheets for students, and a unit plan. The MUFTi 901 kit includes enough pectin for eight classes of 10 groups per class, as well as equipment for viscosity testing. Teachers need only purchase fresh milk and fruit juice before using the kit in class.
Ease of use
The kit is attractively presented with material written in a style that will engage Technology teachers and students and is well-supported by photographic and other illustrations.
The PowerPoint presentations on the CD have delivery notes suitable for levels ranging from intermediate to senior secondary levels. These are particularly helpful in delivery of the context-specific knowledge.
Rating
This New Zealand-produced food science and product development kit is an excellent resource for Food Technology, Food and Nutrition and Chemistry teachers who want to branch out and introduce new experimental material into their Year 7-13 programmes.
Accessibility
MUFTikits are available only through Massey University. They can be ordered online at http://mufti.massey.ac.nz at a cost of $99 (includes delivery cost within New Zealand). Further supplies of the additive pectin (MUFTi 901) are also available for ordering.
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