Organoleptic evaluation of foxnut protein powder

Original Research Article

Abstract

This study highlights the nutritional value and culinary potential of Foxnut (Makhana) protein powder as a versatile functional food ingredient. Foxnut, rich in carbohydrates (75.04%), moderate in protein (11.16%) and low in fat (0.5%), offers a range of health benefits, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-diabetic and stress-relieving properties, while supporting heart and liver health. The sensory evaluation demonstrated that incorporating Foxnut protein powder significantly enhanced the taste, texture and overall appeal of various recipes. For the banana strawberry milkshake, 93.33% of participants rated the experimental version as "Excellent," compared to 40% for the standard version. Similarly, the shrikhand with Foxnut protein powder was rated as "Excellent" by 80% of participants, compared to 33.33% for the standard version. The oats phirni also performed exceptionally well, with 93.33% of participants giving it an "Excellent" rating, while only 20% rated the standard version. In the case of custard, 80% of participants rated the experimental version as "Excellent," with the remaining 20% rating it as "Very Good."