Innovative Ingredients Fortified Nutrients Enriched Biscuits and Cookies: Quality and Sensory Analyses

Global suffering from COVID-19 has necessitated augmenting the immunity systems of humans through consumption of macro-micro-nutrients and antioxidant-enriched fortified foods. In this article, fortifications of popular bakery products, viz. biscuits, cookies, have been reviewed, encompassing the novel fortifying ingredients and innovative methods employed with an emphasis on the overall enrichment in the final product quality. A few notable features concerning novel fortified biscuit and fortified cookie have been decisively summarized. Wheat flour blended with 40% sesame-cake flour resulted in a fortified biscuit possessing higher protein (16.6%), crude fat (16.95%), and dietary fiber (8.2%) with acceptable sensory characteristics. About 9% toting up of chicken-eggshell dried-powder could result in high Ca content in biscuits with customary changes in texture and sensory properties. A remarkable 5% addition of bee pollen to wheat flour appreciably improved the nutrient compositions (carbohydrate 65.18%, protein 7.32%, and total dietary-fiber 1.47%) along with high polyphenol and antioxidant potentials. Notably, mixing fish fillet protein concentrate with wheat flour could yield enhanced nutritional content (protein 14.63-19.52%, fat 16.2-16.5%), as well as augmented amino acids. Remarkably, wheat flour fortified with fermented jack bean flour resulted in an overall fortified biscuit with substantial carbohydrate, crude protein, fat, fiber, ash, and appreciable macro-micro mineral contents and sensory characteristics. Innovative fortified cookies were made by blending wheat flour or Brewer's spent grain flour with one or more ingredients, e.g. full fat soya, mushroom, cardamom powder, moringa leaves, coconut, sweet potato flour rendering amplified values of nutrients, superior physical properties, increased mineral and flavonoid contents and organoleptic qualities.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Indian Traditional Medicine for COVID-19

Background: A novel coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak causing infectious respiratory disorders. COVID-19 disease has no specific treatment. In traditional medicinal system, different formulations are available for infectious diseases. Objective(s): This review discusses the significance and utilization of Siddha and Ayurvedic herbal formulations for COVID-19 treatment and provides scientific information regarding the phytochem-istry and pharmacological profiles of Indian medicinal plants used in the formulation. Method(s): The information on medicine and medicinal plants was collected from research papers, review papers, and books available in several electronic databases, including Google Scholar, SpringerLink, and PubMed was explored as information sources. Result(s): Traditional medicinal plants are potentially used in formulations due to their inevitable therapeutic properties. Phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of medicinal plants used in the formulations served as scientific proof for traditional medicine. Conclusion(s): The present study explored the great importance of Siddha and Ayurvedic formulations for COVID-19 treatment. Further scientific investigations are required to explore these formulations as widely acceptable.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Growth acceleration/deceleration in Indian spices economy

The consumption of spices is growing in India with an increase in purchasing power. It is forecasted that everyone in the country would be consuming one spice or the other with a high per capita consumption. It is estimated that we may have a population of around 1.69 billion people during 2050 and approximately the per capita consumption of turmeric, ginger, black pepper and cardamom is expected to be about 1.6 kg, 1.2 kg, 148 g and 54 g, respectively. This may increase further owing to rapid urbanization which needs spices as natural food preservatives. Hence, the present study was conducted to analyze the growth trend in spices economy of India during the period 1990-91 to 2021-22 with reference to the selected growth indicators such as area, production, domestic market, export and export value. For estimating the acceleration in the growth rates, the paper uses semi-logarithmic specification of a non-linear (quadratic) equation. From the analysis, it is observed that there is a huge scope for output and export of spices. Despite the Covid pandemic, spices export from India has continued its upward trend during 2020-21 and has attained an all-time high of US $ 4.0 billion mark for the first time in the history of spices export. It also implies that there is strong domestic market for spices in India.

Role of Functional Food Additives in Regulating the Immune Response to COVID-19

Background: Food additives act as preventive measures and promote a healthy immune response against pathogenic diseases. There are several functional food additives with antiviral potential that are part of our daily food supplements, which can be exploited to improve the immunity of the human being during the pandemic of COVID-19. Scope and Approach: For this study, an extensive database search using the scientific databases and Google Scholar, as well as commercial search engines, such as Google and Google Patent, was con-ducted to explore commercial and patentable applications. Key Finding: Food additives, such as Phyllanthus emblica, Long pepper, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Cardamom, Ginger, Garlic, Holy Basil, and Liquorice, are used in traditional cultures as preventive treatments. The phytocompounds extracted from these food additives are immune modulators against various pathogenic inflammations. Enhancing the immune response and boosting health are the benefits of these food additives. Conclusion(s): The research literature and reputable sources online confirm that functional food additives in a regular diet may help cure COVID-19 disease. It is necessary to conduct scientific research to determine the effectiveness of food additives. Future Direction: The majority of diseases are caused by metabolic disorders. It is clear that diet plays a major role in controlling the inflammation associated with diseases and metabolic disorders. There is still a lack of phytochemical screening of compounds in food additives and their interaction with me-tabolism. This effort will help the science community to think outside of the box of medicine. Copyright © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.

Anti-Obesity Siddha Medicinal Plants-A Preclinical Review

Obesity is a complex multi factorial preventable disease affecting all age groups of both the sexes. Now one third of world’s population is overweight or obese. From 1980 the world-wide prevalence of obesity has become doubled. Overweight and obesity were the 5th foremost causes of death globally. Obesity is associated with many co morbid diseases. Prevalence of obesity with co morbidities is on big alarm throughout the world. Recently in COVID-19 pandemic most of the obese people get affected due to the co morbidities and reduced immunity. The anti-obesity properties of medicinal plants were known from ancient times in traditional Siddha medicine some thousand years ago. Many Siddha medicinal plants showed anti-obesity activities that can be utilized in the management of obesity, through which the complications of obesity can be prevented. Most researches explored the anti-obesity potentials of medicinal plants. Terminalia chebula, Phyllanthus niruri, zingiber officinale, Piper longum, Curcuma longa, Elettaria cardamomum, Cuminum cyminum, Picrorhiza kurroa, Ipomea turpethum, Tinospora cordifolia, Michelia champaka are some medicinal plants possess anti-obesity properties that had been indicated in Siddha classical text. The objective of this review is to validate the anti-obesity potentials of Siddha medicinal plants scientifically through various research reports. Due to the presence of Phyto compounds like phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, anti-oxidants these medicinal plants revealed anti-obesity activities and its anti-obesity mechanism had been proven scientifically through various animal experimental studies collected from many research articles. Modern anti-obesity drugs produce numerous side effects. Regular consumption of Siddha anti-obesity medicinal plants, in the prescribed dose and duration, can induce gradual and sustainable weight loss effectively. Furthermore, in future, there is a need for the development of standardized, safe and effective anti-obesity drugs from medicinal plants and highly economical too. Hence eventually exploration of anti-obesity Siddha medicinal plants will lead to safe and effective treatment for obesity.

Anti-inflammatory response of cardamom extract and prediction of therapeutic window in COVID-19 patients by assessing inflammatory markers using RT-PCR.

INTRODUCTION: Molecular diagnostics using RT-PCR has now emerged as the new diagnostic method for clinicians with the dawn of SARS-CoV-2. In India, the popularity and awareness of RT-PCR and particularly the increased availability of testing machines across hospitals has now opened up possibilities of diagnostic tests with RT-PCR. In view of the cytokine storm which is the significant reason for morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 patients, we proposed to test the usefulness of a multiplex RT-PCR test kit that simultaneously measured inflammatory markers namely, IL-6, TNF- α and IL-10 (IFM) all in one tube. The study included a group of patients who were equally allotted to two treatment arms one of which received standard of care along with a food supplement capsule as a natural anti-inflammatory (RECOVEREEZ FORTE™), and the other group received standard of care that included oral Prednisolone tablets in tapered dosage. RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ consists of potent biomolecules from cardamom extract. A natural product with substantial anti-inflammatory action when consumed early at the onset of symptoms is hereby proven by comparing gene expression profile of inflammatory markers with routinely tested inflammatory parameters such as serum IL-6, CRP and LDH. In addition to predicting worse disease outcomes beforehand, RT-PCR assay tests provides an opportunity for identifying therapeutic window aiding in practicing effective treatment strategy for COVID-19. RT-PCR analysis of IFM together being used in a single multiplex kit is being first reported and such a test as a prognosticator for disease progression does seem promising and worthy of clinicians adopting novel testing modalities in clinical practice. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the anti-inflammatory response of RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ using RT-PCR based multiplex gene profiling of inflammatory markers in disease prognosis and show its predictability of worsening outcomes and its role in identifying therapeutic window for RECOVEREEZ FORTE™. To show the potentiality of RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ in reducing COVID-19 symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Ct values of the treatment group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a short study of a 10-day period where the end point was the negativity of COVID-19 on RT-PCR test or the decline in cycle threshold (Ct) values of the test performed on day 10 when compared to day 0. During the course of the study, patients were given standard treatment and an oral dose of 500 mg of RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ thrice daily, or standard of care and oral Prednisolone in tapered dosage (control group). All essential interventions were included in the standard of care as decided by the attending physician. The RT-PCR results of inflammatory markers were compared to routinely tested parameters such as IL-6, CRP and LDH. Time to clinical improvement was in terms of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test negativity or recovery of COVID-19 symptoms. We enrolled 64 patients, of which 32 were allocated to RECOVEREEZ FORTE ™ group and 32 to the control group. RESULTS: The RT-PCR analysis of elevated IFM on day 0 corresponded to above normal protein levels of routinely tested parameters such as serum IL-6, CRP and LDH on day 5. Similarly, elevated IFM on day 5 corresponded to above normal protein levels on day 10. Such an association was equally prevalent in both the control group and RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ group, stipulating that RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ may be used as an alternative to steroids. The obtained results indicate that the RT-PCR assessment predicts worse outcomes 5 days earlier. But, the RT-PCR analysis of elevated IFM on day 0 did not correspond to the above normal protein levels of other parameters on day 10. Hence, indicating that the IFM RT-PCR test cannot predict worse outcomes 10 days earlier. Also, RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ when consumed for a period of 10 days normalized LDH values, compared to the control group. Moreover, IFM RT-PCR test identified a 5-day therapeutic window for RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ against inflammation experienced by patients. In addition to the above findings, the authors also observed that majority of the patients belonging to the treatment group showed recovery from symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat and breathlessness compared to control group by day 5. 12 (37.5%) out of 32 patients and 6 (18.75%) out of 32 patients belonging to the treatment group and control group, respectively, became SARS-CoV-2 negative by day 5, indicating a probable anti-viral action of RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ against SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION: The IFM RT-PCR test possess 5-day early prediction ability and lacks 10-day prediction ability. Treatment with RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ indicates good anti-inflammatory action which is equivalent to steroids. Intake of RECOVEREEZ FORTE ™ for a period of 5 days depicts persistent anti-inflammatory action, recovery of COVID-19 symptoms and a probable anti-viral action. Moreover, an effective normalization of LDH may be rendered by RECOVEREEZ FORTE™ when consumed for a period of 10 days.