Abstract:
The nutritional and health paybacks of ash gourd are worth mentioning.The ash gourd is easily available and very economical vegetable in Pakistan. The community is well familiar with its taste, flavour and health benefits. The high dietary fiber, ascorbic acid, minerals, and lower concentration of anti-nutrients in gourd specify it as healthy food. Moreover, higher dietary fiber content has excellent prebiotic activity and is linked with reduced blood cholesterol level, heart attacks and bowel disorders.The ratio of mineral content in fruit is Na>Ca>Fe>Zn>K> Mn. The antacid action of ash gourd maintains pH and offsets acidity. Ash gourd keepspreventive and curative effect in oxidative stress, management of hyper- and hypo- glycemia and lipidemia. A variety of phytochemicals including hispin, carotenoids, phenolics, sterols and uronic acid etc. can be helpful as antibiotic and laxative agentagainst cough, fever, liver, heart diseases, epilepsy, ulcers and nervous disorders. The vitamins from ash gourdsupportagainst pneumoniaand migraines. General food use of ash gourd includes either boiled and cookedalone, with other vegetables or with meat. The edible part has bland taste while the fruit juice keeps pungent vegetable flavor. The pulp and powder from edible part of fruit van be used as thickening agent and nutrient supplement in jams, beverages, baby foods, ketchup and ice cream; formulated as value-added products. The innovative uses of its multifunctional components need to be explored, experimented and applied in food and pharmaceutical products.
Page(s):
186-186
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Global Science Technology and Management Conference, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023