Studies on Preparation and Evaluation of Value added Products from Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)

Giloy is rich in nutritional and therapeutic values. It is consumed by the people in the form of decoction to cure certain ailments. The plant is well known for its phyto-chemical constituents. There was an urgent need for recognition of medicinal properties of giloy and to prepare certain value added products. Results of the study revealed that Giloy contains good amount of crude fibre (5.72) and ash content (6.35%). It is also rich in various minerals, especially calcium and iron (9.41 and 0.29 mg/100g, respectively). An attempt has been made to utilize giloy stem samples for the preparation of value added products viz. RTS, squash and syrup. The prepared products were assessed for chemical, nutritional and sensory parameters. All the beverages prepared from Giloy were acceptable. The blending of kinnow further improved the sensory quality as well. In the present scenario, where lot of emphasis is being laid on the consumption of healthy food, development of such products might help the consumers to harness the nutritional and medicinal properties of such unexploited locally available herb.