Development and quality evaluation of nutri-mix with watermelon seeds-pearl millet malt

Abstract

Nutri-Mix is not only innovative but also nutritional rich product, including essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, incorporating watermelon seeds and pearl millet into instant food. It's wonderful to see efforts to minimize food waste while promoting health and wellness. Watermelon seeds, often considered waste from the fruit, are nutritionally rich, containing folate, protein, fiber, vitamin B complex, phenolic compounds, and various minerals such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, sodium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper. These seeds possess antioxidant activity and contribute to boosting immunity, aiding digestion, and maintaining the health of the nervous system and heart. Pearl millet is comparable to wheat in terms of protein content and superior to wheat in fats and minerals, particularly iron and calcium. Cocoa powder is consumed due to its good taste, flavor and health benefits. It’s rich source of poly phenols especially abundant in flavonols. Cocoa poly phenols have antioxidant properties. Watermelon seeds powder, pearl millet malt, cocoa powder and sugar of different proportions are used and made into a mix. 60% of sugar, 40% of watermelon seed powder, 0% of pearl millet malt, 0% of cocoa powder is considered as control sample (S0). Sample treatments are named as S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 respectively formulated using compositions of powders in ratio of 60:20:0:20, 60:20:5:15, 60:20:10:10, 60:20:15:5, 60:20:20:0. Incorporation of bajra powder in milk and other liquids is difficult so bajra is malted then powdered. The results showed that the drink mix of S4 showed better results when reconstituted in milk. The S4 samples have the high minerals and nutrients. the results of this sample is better than other with bulk density (0.666±0.14), water absorption capacity (4±0.67), solubility (15±0.98), sedimentation (0.4±0.008), carbohydrates (61.23±0.19), fat content (5.93±0.70), ash content (6±0.13), moisture content (4±0.10), Fiber content (5.42±0.21), protein content (17.42±0.09) and sensory evaluation with 8.5 rating. The NUTRI- MIX with pearl millet and watermelon seeds has increased the nutritional quality of the product. The product being rich in all the macronutrients can be used to tackle malnutrition in the children. Addition of watermelon seeds has increased sensorial acceptability along with nutritional enrichment. From the analysis conducted we conclude that S4 sample has more acceptability due to its desirable proportions of the ingredients.