Standardization and Development of Nutritious Snack Bar for Varied Age Groups

Abstract

Due to the increase in demand for nutritious and convenience food, the need for development of healthy snack bar arises to fulfill the nutrient gap between the meals. Nutritious snack bar are the bars which comprises of nutrients from all five major food groups including cereal, pulse, fruit, nuts and oilseeds. Nutritious snack bar should be rich in both macro and micro nutrients and should fulfill 1/5^th to 1/6^th of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indians. Nutritious snack bars are the bars of good sensory characteristics and are easy to make homemade bars which can be consumed as snacks while travelling and working. The objective of the study was to develop nutritious snack bars for varied age (children, adolescence, pregnant and lactating, adults and elderly) comprising of ingredients from all five food groups. The ingredients were selected considering the likes and health implications of the age group. Honey, butter and chocolate were used as the binding agent. The sensory qualities were assessed using 5 point rating scale. The food cost of the bars was calculated. The shelf life of the bars was assessed through microbial analysis using standard plate count method. The nutrient content of various snack bars was calculated according to Indian food composition table, 2017 and was compared with the recommended dietary allowances, 2010. The proximate composition of the bars were analyzed where moisture, ash, protein, fat, fiber, calcium were estimated.

Keywords: Nutritious snack bar, macro and micro nutrients, sensory quality, microbial activity, proximate analysis

Cite this Article

Damini Soni, Gargi Saxena. Standardization and Development of Nutritious Snack Bar for Varied Age Groups. Research & Reviews: Journal of Food Science and Technology. Research & Reviews: Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2018; 7(1): 22–28p.