27 research outputs found
Controlled germination for cooking quality and nutritional enhancement of underutilised little millets
No full text305-315Little millet (Panicum sumatrense) is one of the underutilised indigenous nutricereals due to coarse nature and drudgery associated with processing. Minimal processing such as germination could convert it into edible form. The present study revealed that 24 h germinated little millets were better source of vitamin C (5.11 mg/100 g) and total soluble solids (2.33%) with substantial α-amylase activity (1.34 μg/100 g), milling yield (71.03%) and overall acceptability (8.73) for cooked grains compared to non-germinated and germinated ones for 12, 18, 36, 42 and 48 h. Germination enhanced hydration, swelling capacities by 25.71, 36.17% respectively and decreased bulk density, tapped density of little millets by 5.06, 5.88% respectively due to breakdown of complex components into simpler ones by hydrolytic enzymes. Consequently, germination enhanced water uptake ratio, elongation ratio, volume expansion ratio of cooked little millets by 19.35, 5.60, 39.51% respectively and decreased cooking time, gelatinisation temperature, solid content by 31.95, 20.26, 20.03% respectively. Further, it improved protein, fiber, total mineral contents by 6.92, 26.90, 130.77%, respectively and reduced moisture, fat, energy, reducing sugar contents by 5.79, 65.80, 5.74, 6.07% respectively due to activation of metabolic machineries which promoted synthesis and release of bound constituents by reducing antinutrients. These germinated little millets with better cooking quality, nutritional and sensory profile can be consumed by obese and diabetic people or utilised as functional ingredients for formulation of low bulk weaning and complementary mixes or nourishing convenience foods
Formulation and Evaluation of Ready-to-Reconstitute Smoothie Mix with Little Millet
No full text473-482The urbanization, fast-paced lifestyle, improved income and globetrotting have spurred the adoption of convenience foods in India. Value addition to millets promotes their production, marketing and offers good opportunities to farmers for better income generation. Little millet is an indigenous nutricereal widely cultivated across India yet underutilised and often misquoted as poor man’s crop. Till date not much research was done to develop a nourishing millet based smoothie mix. In the present investigation, a ready-to-reconstitute smoothie mix was developed with the most organoleptically acceptable formulation being 45% malted-pre-gelatinized little millet flour, 45% milk powder and 10% sugar. The developed mix possessed a good amount of protein (12.89 g/100 g) and exhibited improved dispersibility (88.97%), reduced sediment content (2.95 mL/10 mL) and reconstitution time (81.82 sec) compared to control. It can be readily reconstituted with fruit juices or pulps to prepare smoothies, which could serve as a healthy addition to one’s daily diet. The mix was shelf-stable upto 45 days without much deterioration in physicochemical and microbial quality. The lower moisture content (4.81%) and water activity (0.48) indicate good shelf-stability of the developed mix. The developed smoothie mix could enhance the utilization of little millets, locally available seasonal fruits and promote dietary diversification
Inhibition of human platelet aggregation and membrane lipid peroxidation by food spice, saffron.
No full textThe inhibitory activity of saffron extract was studied on human platelets. Platelet aggregation and lipid peroxidation were evaluated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet membranes respectively obtained from blood of healthy human volunteers. Human platelets were subjected to stimulation with a variety of agonists like ADP (61 microM), epinephrine (76 microM), collagen (11 microg/ml), calcium ionophore A 23187 (6 microM) and ristocetin (1.25 microg/ml) in the presence and absence of saffron extract with IC50 being 0.66, 0.35, 0.86 and 0.59 mg respectively and no inhibition with ristocetin. The inhibitory effect was dose dependent with concentrations varying between 0.16 to 0.80 mg and time dependent at IC50. A significant decrease was observed in malondialdehyde (MDA) formed, one of the end products of arachidonic acid metabolism and of serotonin released from dense granules of platelets at respective IC50. Lipid peroxidation in platelet membranes induced by iron-ascorbic acid system was inhibited by saffron extract significantly with IC50 of 0.33 mg. Hence, it may be said that aqueous extract of saffron may have component(s), which protect platelets from aggregation and lipid peroxidation
Cardamom Extract as Inhibitor of Human Platelet Aggregation
No full textThe inhibitory activity of cardamom extract was studied on human platelets. Platelet aggregation and lipid
peroxidation were evaluated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet membranes, respectively, obtained
from blood of healthy volunteers. Human platelets were subjected to stimulation with a variety of agonists
including ADP (2.5 mM), epinephrine (2.5 mM), collagen (10 mM), calcium ionophore A 23187 (6 µM) and
ristocetin (1.25 µg/mL). The IC50 were 0.49, 0.21, 0.55 and 0.59 mg with ADP, epinephrine, collagen and
calcium ionophore A 23187, respectively, and no inhibition with ristocetin. The inhibitory effect was dose
dependent with concentrations varying between 0.14 and 0.70 mg and time dependent at IC50. Lipid peroxidation
induced by iron – ascorbic acid system in platelet membranes was analysed with malondialdehyde (MDA) as
an index. An increase in concentration of cardamom has decreased the MDA formation significantly. Hence,
it may be said that aqueous extract of cardamom may have component(s), which protect platelets from
aggregation and lipid peroxidation
Antiplatelet Activity of Coriander and Curry Leaf Spices
No full textThrombosis, an important event in cardiovascular diseases,
can be fatal if platelet aggregation takes place in
the narrowed lumen of arteries, causing an impairment
of blood flow to the heart. Attempts have been made
to study the antiplatelet activity of leaf spice extracts,
as these are rich sources of natural antioxidants. Aqueous
extracts of coriander leaf and curry leaf were tested
on human platelets over a wide range of concentrations
with agonists like adenosine diphosphate (ADP)
(61 mM), epinephrine (76 mM), and collagen (0.005% in
0.1N acetic acid). Both these leaf spice extracts inhibited
human platelet aggregation. The IC50 values were 0.94,
0.65, and 0.58 mg for curry leaf and 0.55, 0.66, and
0.57 mg for coriander leaf with ADP, epinephrine, and
collagen, respectively. A decrease in the malondialdehyde
formed was used as a mechanism for accessing the function
of the cyclooxygenase pathway in arachidonic acid
metabolism at IC50 values of these extracts
Effect of Swallowroot Extract on Functions of Platelets In Vitro
No full textSwallowroot (Decalepis hamiltonii, Wight and Arn family Asclepiadaceae), is one of the lesser-known
root spice found in peninsular India is considered to be an appetiser and blood purifier . The present study was under taken, as there are no reports on the effect of aqueous extract of swallowroot on human platelet functions
Organoleptic Properties of Ready to Reconstitute Little Millet Smoothie with Fruit Juices
No full textMillets being climate resilient crops with high nutritional value are far better than staple grains like wheat and rice. Being adaptable to wide range of agro ecological conditions, the nutricereals little millet can grow on low fertility dry lands meeting demands of exploding population and providing solution to agrarian and nutritional challenges the world is dealing with. Further, value addition could be a strategic intervention in popularization of underutilized small millets and transform the billions of people from nutrient insufficiency to nutrient adequacy. The present fast-paced era with increased nuclear families and changing eating habits due to rapid urbanisation and globalisation demands for development of ready to consume nutrient dense food. In addition, growing awareness regarding health benefits of millets demands for millet-based designer foods to meet diversified needs of consumers. In view of these aspects, a ready to reconstitute (RTR) little millet smoothie mix was developed and tested for its suitability to blend with fruit juices through sensory profiling. The nourishing little millet and fruit-based smoothies would be a healthy inclusion in one’s daily diet with a great market potential
