Ragi (Eleusine coracana L.) – a natural antioxidant for ghee (butter oil)

Abstract

SummaryAddition of methanol pre‐extract of dehusked ragi powder (DRP) at the rate of 0.1%, 0.25% and 0.5% of methanol extract, the corresponding increase (over control) in phospholipids content observed was about 2.15, 4.53 and 8.15 mg 100 g−1 and water extractable phenolics content was about 0.52, 1.25 and 2.78 mg 100 g−1 of ghee respectively. The anti‐oxygenic indexes calculated from the induction periods of ghee samples stored at 80 ± 2 °C in comparison with control were in order: 1.47(0.1% pre‐extract) < 1.89(0.02% butylated hydroxyl anisole) < 1.93(0.25% pre‐extract) < 2.75(0.5% pre‐extract) suggesting that the phospholipids and the phenolic compounds of DRP transferred to ghee enhance its oxidative stability.