Abstract:
Changes in consumer's lifestyle and food consumption patterns provides a great opportunity in
developing functional food sector. Nowadays food is not only used to satisfy hunger and provide
necessary nutrients for human but it is also used to prevent disease and improve the physical and
mental well-being of consumers. Such a functional food is considered also the Wheatgrass.
Comprehensive data from number of studies has revealed the multitude effects of wheatgrass in
thalassemia, hemolytic anemia, cancer, asthma, allergy, inflammatory bowel disease and
detoxification. However, there is a very limited number of studies on chemical screening of the
wheatgrass.
The aim of this research is to do a chemical screening of wheatgrass, apple juice and sour
cherry/apple juice profiles, by conducting chemical, physical and physic-chemical analysis such
as pH, Total Titrable Acidity (TTA), Total Soluble Solids (TSS) oBrix, Chlorophyll A mg/l,
Chlorophyll B mg/l, Total Chlorophyll mg/l, Vit C g/l, Total polyphenolic index, antioxidant
activity and minerals including P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, Zn for three juices subject of this research and
then be able to compare nutritional values among them. Based on the findings of this research we
can suggest that wheatgrass may be considered as a potential raw material for fruit processing
industry as a nutritional value added superfood, as an excellent source of health promoting
phytonutrients such as Chlorophyll, Vitamin C, Polyphenols, Minerals and high Antioxidant
activity. |
