Exploring potential of fortification by garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds for development of functional foods-A Review

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) belonging to Brassicaceae family is widely grown in India, Europe and US. It has been used as an important medicinal plant since the Vedic era. In Ayurveda, it is considered as hot, bitter, galactogogue and aphrodisiac and claimed to prevent Vata and Kapha. Garden cress seed is good source of essential and non-essential amino acids and they are also used as a novel source of hydrocolloid. Its extract exhibit strong shear-thinning behaviour and is used as a substitute for gum Arabica in the formulation of different products. The garden cress seed oil has a balanced amount of both polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids and is a good source of linolenic acid. It contains natural antioxidants, viz. tocopherols and carotenoids and eugenol that help in preventing cancer and protect the oil from rancidity. Its seed, oil and powder contain significant amount of protein, fat, minerals, fibers and phytochemicals which are incorporated in many functional beverages and foods. A number of clinical trials have been conducted on rats that also support the efficacy of garden cress seeds. The functional properties of Garden cress seeds stimulate us to review its different valuable properties and the fortified products developed by incorporating Garden cress seeds.