Preparation and Evaluation of Nutraceutical Product Mixture of Seeds of Cucumis melo, Punica granatum, Linum usitatissimum, for Antioxidant, Prebiotic and Nutraceutical Potential

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmaceutical formulation scientists are currently developing new materials and formulations which vividly include Nutraceuticals. "Nutraceutical" is a substance that is considered a food or part of a food processed as pharmaceutical, which provides medical or health benefits, encompassing prevention and treatment of diseases. Materials and Methods: Under this research Nutraceutical Product Mixture was prepared using seeds of Cucumis melo, Punica granatum and Linum usitatissimum. Individually these three seeds are reported to contain rich nutrients along with antioxidants, probiotic soluble fibres and thus the mixture of three increased this potential. Individual seed and the mixture was evaluated by In-vitro and In-vivo methods for Nutraceutical Potential. Results: Proximate analysis of the mixture showed rich nutrient content and provided good combination of nutrients. Individual seed powder as well as mixture was tested for prebiotic potential using lactobacilli culture, which showed positive results. Each seed powder as well as mixture was tested for anti oxidant potential using DPPH free radical scavenging assay, with promising results. It's in-vivo effect was studied using Wistar albino rat as animal model. This study involved haemogram and lipid profile determination which showed certain promising results. The powder mixture was developed into two products namely capsule and health drink powder formula. Conclusion: The nutraceutical powder mixture of seeds of Cucumis melo, Punica granatum and Linum usitatissimum could be a promising product with antioxidant, prebiotic and nutraceutical potential for diabetic and cardiac patients where oxidative stress is a major underlying cause.

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“…Seed powder mixture of Cucumis melo, Punica granatum, and Linum usitatissimum 1:1:1 was evaluated for nutrient content which was determined by the proximate analysis, in-vivo study on Wistar rats for various parameters like hemoglobin and lipid profile, DPPH antioxidant potential determination assay, and prebiotic potential determination. The mixture proved to be effective in all above evaluations but the combination proved to be more effective than individual seed powder and so was selected as basic nutraceutical mixture I for powder formula development 3 .…”

“…(Here, it is used as coating and wetting agent along with sweetening agent). Bulk density (poured density) = m /V 0 , in g per cm 3 Tapped density = m /V t g per cm 3 M = weight of the powder V 0 = bulk volume and V t = tapped volume Carr's index (%) = (Tapped density -Bulk density) / Tapped density × 100 6 Dispersion Time: 10 g mixture was put in 100 mL warm water, and the beaker was held in a bath sonicator (immersed 2/3 deep) in the bath. Time taken for the entire mixture to disperse and soak in was taken as dispersion time.…”