Title : A pilot study on physicochemical, spectroscopic and thermo-analytical characterization of tray-dried wheatgrass powder
Abstract:
Wheatgrass, the young shoots of Triticum aestivum L., is recognized for its rich nutritional profile, offering potential health benefits and ultimately contributing to a rise in its global market value. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the plant and its ultimate impact on food’s functional properties is desired. In this study, we employed a cost-effective method of drying and high-end analysis techniques that are not only novel but also quick and non-destructive. Wheatgrass (10-day-old, 10.9 ± 1.2 cm) was grown from HUW-234 grains in soil, tray-dried at 50 °C for 5 hr, and stored at 4 °C. The results depicted a wide array of nutritional and bioactive characteristics like protein (28.13 ± 1.56%), minerals (K (1287 ppm); Mg (73.14 ppm); Fe (26.63 ppm) & Na (26.07 ppm)), phenolics (419 ± 1.9 mg GAE/ 100g), chlorophyll (7.52 ± 0.56 mg/g) and ascorbic acid (8.20 ± 2.0 mg/100g). Furthermore, it presented good hygroscopicity, emulsion capacity, stability, water absorption, and oil absorption capacity. In consonance, the FTIR analysis presented distinctive functional groups namely, phenols, nitro compounds, alkenes and ethers etc. In TGA analysis, three phases of decomposition: dehydration, devolatilization, and decomposition were observed. XRD and SEM revealed amorphous and crystalline regions, as well as a non-uniform particle size distribution. The HRMS analysis detected phenolics, including vanillic acid, trans-resveratrol, urolithin, dihydro-3-coumaric acid, and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid. Additionally, other classes of bioactive compounds, such as lignans, coumarins, organic acids, and flavonoids, were also identified. Hence, this study provides new insight into tray-dried wheatgrass powder's characterization and overall physicochemical properties, depicting its potential in both food and pharmaceuticals.
