The antioxidant activities of vidarikand (Pueraria tuberosa), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) were evaluated and compared with BHA using β-carotene bleaching assay, DPPH assay and Rancimat method. Phenolic contents of ethanolic extracts of herbs were high compared to their aqueous extracts. The ethanolic extracts showed more antioxidant activity (β-carotene-linoleic acid model system) than their aqueous counterparts. In DPPH system also, ethanolic extracts were superior to that of aqueous extracts. The ethanolic extracts of the herbs were more effective in preventing the development of the peroxide value and conjugated diene in ghee compared to their aqueous extracts. Ethanolic extracts of herbs showed the higher induction period as compared to their aqueous counter parts in the Rancimat. Antioxidant activity of the herbs decreased in the order vidarikand > ashwagandha > shatavari. Thus, the ethanolic extract of vidarikand was having the maximum antioxidant activity among all the herbs.

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Nine minerals (calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn)) have been estimated in milk of three different species namely, cow (Sahiwal and Tharparkar), buffalo (Murrah) and goat (Alpine x Beetle) of India. Among the species studied, buffalo milk had the highest Ca, P and Mg contents. Na content was found lowest in buffalo milk and K was found significantly higher in goat milk. K was the major mineral in cow and goat milk while Ca was major mineral in buffalo milk. Mineral distribution data indicated that colloidal minerals were highest in buffalo milk followed by goat and cow milk. Ca to P ratio was found maximum in buffalo milk (1.74) and was almost similar in milk (1.45-1.49) of other species studied. Our study indicated that 500 g of milk can meet more than 60% recommended daily allowances of Ca and P as recommended by Institute of Medicine,

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