Formulation of Non-Dairy Synbiotic Drink from Chickpea Supplemented with Chicory Root Powder and Assessment of Its Market Potential | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

ABSTRACT

Formulation of Non-Dairy Synbiotic Drink from Chickpea Supplemented with Chicory Root Powder and Assessment of Its Market Potential. Working in a multicultural dietary habit, the demands for a wide range of non-dairy functional foods, that are just as effective as dairy products, have increased globally. These can be consumed amid usual diet and potentially prevent diseases and promote optimum health. The Functional beverage industry includes energy drinks, fortified juices, sports drinks, dairy and dairy substitute drinks, enhanced water, ready-to-drink tea and coffee. Minerals, vitamins, herbs, amino acids, antioxidants and microorganisms in functional beverages greatly facilitate different physiological processes such as the immune system, heart rate, digestive health, and weight management. Because of the rising prevalence of lactose intolerance and the rising number of people following vegan, macrobiotic, flexitarian lifestyles, the demand for non-dairy beverages has surged. The options for non-dairy substitutes can be cereals, legumes and nuts. So, the present study was carried out to prepare legume milk from Chickpea by various processing methods and short-listing the most acceptable milk for fermentation by mono and mixed cultures of different probiotic bacteria. Organoleptically, the most acceptable probiotic extract was enriched with prebiotic food, chicory root powder, rich in inulin, in different proportions. The enriched drinks were organoleptically tested by a semi-trained and a consumer panel to short-list the highly acceptable variation of the developed drink, and predict its market potential. Furthermore, the highly acceptable variation was analyzed for its physico-chemical, nutritional, antioxidant, probiotic and microbial properties. The drink was packaged, labeled and stored at 4°C/60 days for shelf-life analysis. The shelf-life study indicated that the developed synbiotic drink was acceptable till 40 days of storage, both organoleptically and microbiologically. The cost of the packaged bottle reported that it is economical and can be brought and consumed on regular basis.