Garden cress (<i>Lepidium sativum </i>L.) – A non conventional traditional plant item for food product

Abstract

Garden cress (<i>Lepidium sativum </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">L.), is a traditional plant that has been relegated to the margins on account of its off-beat to pungent odour and presence of antinutrients despite a high density of nutrients and bioactive substances in its seeds and other plant parts. In the present study, garden cress seeds were quantitatively analyzed as whole (WGCSP), husk removed (HRGCSP), husk (HGCSP), roasted (RGCSP) and microwave processed (MPGCSP) forms, for proximate principles, selected minerals, and phenol content. Thereafter, a representative food product was developed in various versions incorporating each type of powders and evaluated for acceptability characteristic. The results revealed that all forms of garden cress seeds were good sources of macro (protein and fat) as well as micro (iron, calcium and phosphorous) nutrients. Processing is improved acceptability by denting anti-nutrients and off flavor components. All versions of <i>Mathri </i>- the product developed were found moderately to highly acceptable. The product versions developed from all types of powders made the product rich in nutrients including energy, protein, iron, calcium and phosphorous along with antioxidants making it value added to treat various diseases, including protein energy malnutrition, anemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

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