Abstract

Cassia auriculata Linn, leaves based herbal porridge is a well reputed dietary remedy for treating diabetes in Sri Lanka. However there are no any commercial instant porridge mixtures containing C. auriculata leaves. This study was conducted to develop acceptable C. auriculata based instant herbal porridge by using a dehydration method. Each ingredient was separately dehydrated to 6% moisture content, ground, sifted and blended according to an Ayurvedic formula for diabetics. The recipe was slightly modified based on a preliminary sensory analysis. Two formulations were prepared with and without coconut powder and packed in packed in metalized polyethylene (12 micron metalized PET layer + 30 micron LDPE layer). Formulated products were evaluated for physic-chemical, antioxidant, sensory properties. Changes in water activity, moisture content, peroxide value and free fatty acid value within two months storage periods were observed to determine the keeping quality of the product. Formulated recipe without coconut powder contains C. auriculata leaves 38.86%, crushed rice 45.97%, garlic 9.45%, onion 4.09% and pepper 1.64%. Similarly, formulated recipe with coconut powder contained 46.84% coconut powder in dry weight base. The products without coconut powder contains moisture 4.28±0.04%, fat 4.83±0.12%, ash 3.07±0.04%, protein 10.80±0.03%, fiber 6.39±0.05% and carbohydrate 74.91±1.66%. Total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity of without coconut powder product were 476.24GAE mg/g and 715.52AAE mg/g respectively, whereas the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the product with coconut powder were 240.14 GAE mg/g and 452.30 AAE mg/g respectively. Sensory results indicated there were no significant differences among homemade, commercial and formulated products in terms of overall acceptability. Within two months period both products did not exceed safe peroxide level (20 mEq/kg) and FFA level (1.2%). In conclusion, an organoleptically acceptable instant herbal porridge mixture from Ranawara leaves was obtained.

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