QUALITY EVALUATION OF GALACTAGOGUE CONCOCTION

Abstract

Dysgalactia is one of the major problems among breastfeeding mothers, where they are unable to produce adequate amount of breast milk. Poor or inadequate milk production with partial failure in lactation initiation or its continuation affects the child’s growth. Decreased secretion of serum prolactin is the major reasons for inadequate milk production. To tackle the problem of insufficient milk production, a study was undertaken with an objective of developing galactagogue products. Herbal ingredients like Moringa leaves, ginger and mint were used to develop moringa herbal tea concoction with different flavours. Further, best accepted product was subjected for macronutrients and minerals estimation. Standard AOAC protocols were used for macronutrients and micronutrients estimation. Total antioxidant activity was also best assessed by standard protocol. Moringa tea concoction containing both ginger and mint flavour recorded the highest acceptability scores by sensory panel members (n=50). Nutritional quality evaluation revealed the presence of good amount of macronutrients and minerals content in best accepted moringa tea concoction with both mint and ginger flavour. It has shown the highest calcium and iron content with the value of 1406±5.56 mg/100 g and 12.33±0.47 mg/100 g respectively. Calcium serves as an important essential mineral in the secretion of prolactin and oxytocin in breast feeding mothers. Where, prolactin has vital role in milk production and oxytocin needed for ejection of breast milk. Therefore, best accepted herbal tea being a rich source of calcium, is proposed to help produce good amount of breast milk and its ejection by enhancing the secretion of prolactin and oxytocin.