Standardization of protein-enriched cookies made from Tamarind seed flour

Abstract

Protein-energy malnutrition is one of the major public health problems in India affecting children under 5 years of age. The prevalence of underweight in children under 5 is 42.5% in India, being the highest globally. The need for low-cost supplemental food is vital under such conditions. This study aims to develop low cost and protein-rich value-added products from Tamarind seed flour. The incorporation of Tamarind seed flour (50%) in the development of cookies exhibited a significant level of increase in protein in cookies. The protein content of Control cookies was 5.65% and Tamarind seed flour incorporated cookies was 11.26%. This study depicted that Tamarind seed flour can be used as the replacement of conventionally used cereal flours to develop functional foods to curb protein-energy malnutrition.