<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA" lang="EN-GB">The potential of male papaya (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Carica papaya,</i> L.) flower as a functional ingredient for herbal tea production</span>

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" letter-spacing:-.2pt;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;="" mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-GB">The potential of male papaya flower as a functional ingredient for herbal (green) tea production was reported by evaluating its phytochemical constituents, nutritive compositions, sensory attributes, and market potential. Phytochemical tests indicated the presence of bioactive compounds of considerable tea flavor and medical significance. Proximate composition analyses revealed significant amounts of essential dietary nutrients, some with even higher levels compared to common commercial teas, indicating that male papaya flower possesses great potential as a functional ingredient for herbal tea production that can be consumed as a dietary supplement.<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";="" mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;letter-spacing:-.2pt;mso-ansi-language:en-ph;="" mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-PH"> Despite nutritive values and potential medical benefits of male papaya flower herbal tea, its sensory evaluation scores on color, aroma and overall flavour attributes were observed lower than the two commercial teas, leading to its perceived neutral purchase intent and market potential. Nonetheless, utilization of male papaya flower as a functional ingredient for herbal tea production is recommended, but optimization of its processing procedures to improve overall attributes and consequently its market potential is necessary.</span></span>