Formulation and Quality Assessment of a Ready-to-Cook Premix Using Underutilized Tanner's Cassia (Senna auriculata) Flower

Senna auriculata (Tanner's cassia), a traditionally used medicinal shrub native to India and Sri Lanka, possesses well-documented antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties attributed to bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and glycosides. Despite its therapeutic potential, this flower remains largely underutilized in food product development. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a nutritionally enhanced ready-to-cook (RTC) dosa premix incorporating Tanner's cassia flower powder. Three variations (V1, V2, V3), containing 10%, 15%, and 20% cassia flower powder respectively, were developed using a base of semolina, sorghum millet, foxtail millet, and urad dal, and compared against a standard control premix (C-0) without cassia. Organoleptic evaluation using a 9-point hedonic scale identified Variation 2 (15% cassia flower) as the most acceptable formulation, recording the highest scores for colour, appearance, and overall acceptability (8.4). Physicochemical analysis showed comparable water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, and pH stability between V2 and the control. Proximate analysis of V2 revealed an energy value of 363.99 kcal/100 g, carbohydrate 73.64 g/100 g, protein 12.71 g/100 g, fat 2.07 g/100 g, and crude fibre 12.7 g/100 g. Micronutrient analysis demonstrated notable iron (17.41 mg/100 g) and zinc (1.21 mg/100 g) content, with oxalate levels (43.82 mg/100 g) within safe dietary limits. Compared with two commercially available dosa premixes, the developed formulation exhibited the lowest fat content while maintaining comparable protein and carbohydrate values. The DPPH radical scavenging assay confirmed moderate antioxidant activity (IC50 = 78.19 µg/mL). These findings demonstrate that Tanner's cassia flower can be successfully incorporated into a millet-based RTC premix to enhance nutritional and functional value without compromising sensory acceptability, supporting the sustainable utilization of this underexploited medicinal plant in functional food development.

Senna auriculata; Tanner's cassia; ready-to-cook premix; millet-based food; functional food

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