Development of ω-5 and antioxidant enriched bar with pomegranate seed powder.

Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) is a rich source of punicic acid (PA). The seeds were fractionated and 0.15mm fraction of pomegranate seed powder (PSP) was incorporated
in bar type product (pomegrain bar). The present study was aimed to see the effects
of critical variables, such as %PSP (4.5–75) and temperature (101–158°C) on response
variables (PA recovery, total poly phenols, radical-scavenging activity, hardness, color,
and overall quality) of pomegrain bar. The experimental design was engendered for
optimization of critical variables in response surface methodology. Results predicted
that the optimum levels for critical variables are: PSP 55% and temperature 118°C
which resulted in formulation of pomegrain bar having 84% of PA recovery and overall quality comparable with control.
Practical applications
Pomegranate seeds are virtually discarded from the industry. The seeds possess PSO
which is a rich source of PA. PA possesses a wide array of beneficial biological activities including bone health maintenance, antioxidant, anticancer properties, etc. PA
rich seed powder fraction was incorporated in the bar type product which could be
used as a vehicle for the consumption of PA. The intent of the research is not only
to create a vehicle for PA consumption but also to utilize the waste emanating from
the industry.