Formulation and phytochemical evaluation of nutritional product containing Job’s tears (Coix lachryma-Jobi L.)

Coix lachryma-Jobi L., commonly named Job's tears seeds cultivated in the north-eastern parts of India, China, Philippines, Burma, Sri Lanka and some other Asian countries are taken into consideration for this study. The seed flour was extracted with ethanol whereby the extract was subjected to different phytochemical tests. The phytochemical tests included Phenols estimation, Flavanol content and antioxidant activity and tannin content of the seeds and gave good results. Job’s tears was found to be a very rich source of flavanoids. The antibacterial activity of the extract was also tested which showed no considerable results. The seeds were further used to formulate a daily nutritional product by adding additional materials such asRagi flour (Eleusine coracana), Giloyi stem powder (Tinospora Cordifolia), sugar, coconut powder and whey protein. Malting of the seeds was also done, but not more than 50% seeds showed germination. Another product was formulated using the malted seeds. The products were subjected to nutritional analysis, giving high amount of proteins in the malted product, while the former can be considered as a good source of dietary fibers and fat. Further the carbohydrate content and energy value were also calculated. As a result, for malting there was a significant increase in the protein quantity and the taste was also better. The GC-MS screening showed the presence of several useful compounds.