Phytochemicals characterization of nutraceutical enriched fruits and nuts spread

Abstract

The present study aimed to formulate a nutraceutical enriched fruits and nuts spreads and analyze the presence of phytochemicals in the formulated spread. The pumpkin seeds and cucumber seeds were roasted at 150° C for 15 mins and made into powder. The seed powder was mixed to the pulp of ?-carotene rich fruits like mango, papaya and muskmelon in order to make fruits and nuts spread. Treatments like Mango with pumpkin seed powder (T1), Papaya with pumpkin seed powder (T2), Muskmelon with pumpkin seed powder (T3), Mango with cucumber seed powder (T4), Papaya with cucumber seed powder (T5) and Muskmelon with cucumber seed powder (T6). The fruits and nuts spreads were analyzed for the presence of phytochemicals ?-carotene, polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. The formulated fruits and nuts spreads were packed in polypropylene boxes, glass bottles and stored under refrigerated condition at 4°C. ?-carotene content was found to be high (634.21?g/g) in Mango with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T1), tannin content was higher (52.61 mg/g) in Papaya with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T2), flavonoid components were higher (3.25 mg/g) in Mango with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T1), and polyphenols content were found to be high (59.33 mg/g) in Papaya with Cucumber seed powder spread (T5). The antioxidant property was high in the Mango with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T1) when compared to all other treatments. Pumpkin seeds comprised of excellent amount of bioactive compounds. The pumpkin seed incorporated spread showed a high level of phytochemicals when compared to other spreads. This was ready to eat spread which had 3 months of shelf life under refrigerated condition is preferred for people of all age groups.