Development And Quality Evaluation of Gymnema sylvestre Leaves Powder Supplemented Nutrient-Dense Flaxseed-Based Bars

Diabetes mellitus is a protracted metabolic disease characterized by increased blood glucose and insulin deficiency affecting more than 33 million people in Pakistan. To design a functional food product to modulate glycemia, nutrient-rich flaxseed-based snack bars were prepared by enriching Gymnema sylvestre leaf powder, a plant having hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity. Six formulations (T0-T5) were made by replacing flaxseed flour (100-95%) successively with G. sylvestre powder (0-5%). T0 was the control, whereas T1-T5 had 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% G. sylvestre powder, respectively. The products were evaluated for proximate composition, mineral content, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and sensory properties. Compared with the control, the concentration of G. sylvestre slightly increased moisture (12.36-12.52%) and ash (1.94-2.22%), whereas it increased fiber (7.15-7.33%), antioxidant activity (60.57-61.59%) and minerals, especially calcium (104.8-169.2 mg/100 g) and iron (2.79-4.35 mg/100 g). Sensory analysis revealed that bars with 3% of G. sylvestre powder (T3) possessed better texture, flavor, and acceptability. The conclusion of this study is that modest supplementation with Gymnema sylvestre enhances the nutritional and functional value of flaxseed-based bars, making it a healthy dietary choice for diabetics as well as health-conscious people.