Formulation and Characterization of Chia (Salvia hispanica) Seed Spread with Incorporation of Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Seed, Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Seed, and Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Seed

The work aims at the production and formulation of plant-based nutritionally enriched butter-like spread products using chia seed, sesame seed, watermelon seed, and pumpkin seed in different ratios, with incorporation of olive oil. The formulated spread butters COB (chia + olive oil), CSOB (chia + sesame + olive oil), CWOB (chia + watermelon + olive oil), and CPOB (chia + pumpkin + olive oil) are of superior quality due to its antioxidant and nutrient content. The antioxidant property of all the formulated spread butter is characterized by total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and FRAP assay and the results indicated that CSOB has the highest TPC value of 68.73 +/- 0.01 mu g GAE/ml and CWOB has the highest DPPH and FRAP activity of 52.30 +/- 0.01% and 51.01 +/- 0.01 mu g of AAE/ml, respectively. The physicochemical properties of all the formulated butter was also analyzed via acid value, peroxide value, and totox value and the results were satisfactory with CPOB having the lowest Totox value of 2.25 +/- 0.01. Functional properties of the spread butter are also investigated and the results were satisfactory. All the formulated butters are medicinally and nutritionally beneficial, and it can be used as an alternative to the conventional one.