Hibiscus cannabinus, a leafy vegetable is known for rich in fibre, minerals with high acidity. It is also known to be one of the sources of an antiobese factor (hydroxycitric acid). A low-calorie ready-to-serve (RTS) beverage was developed from H. cannabinus leaves using a natural sweetener (steviol glycoside). The beverage was prepared using the leaf aqueous extract, adjusting the acidity, and followed by the addition of a natural sweetener, steviol glycoside. The beverage was evaluated for changes in physicochemical and sensory parameters during a storage period of six months. The product was found to be acceptable for four months and scored very good (6.56) for overall quality after six months. A reduction in sweetness attribute was found when compared to control (8.0). The product was found to be shelf-stable with no microbial growth during storage. Significant decrease in steviol glycoside content (16.63%) and hydroxycitric acid content (54.4%) was observed after the end of storage. The RTS beverage from Hibiscus leaves with functional ingredients will ensure health and wellness of consumers.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.