Drumstick Leaf Nutrient Status and Utility in Commonly Consumed Food Enrichment

Malnutrition is the most important and wide spread nutritional problem along with the prevalence of other deficiency diseases like protein energy malnutrition iron and vitamin-A deficiency. There is urgent need for finding out the solution for alleviating these problems at a cheaper andmost affordable way for the benefits of weaker section of the rural and urban population. The drumstick leaf fresh or dry powder which was rich in protein, fibre, minerals, beta – carotene and vitamins could be successfully used in the enrichment of commonly consumed food products viz, Dosa and chutney. Dosa prepared by incorporation 2.5 to 10 per cent of leaf powder and the products were compared with control (Plain dosa). The overall acceptability scores of Dosa incorporated with 2.5 per cent freshor dried leaves were at the par with control. Wet Copra chutney could be enriched with drumstick leaves up to 10 per cent which inturns helps the nutrient intake (vitamin A, B, C, Fe and Ca etc) of the consumers.