A Study on Formulation and Nutritional Evaluation of Leucas Asperaflower (Thumbai) Balls

Abstract

Leucas aspera is an herbal plant species within the Leucas genus and the Lamiaceae family. It is commonly known as Thumbai in Tamil, drona pushpi in Sanskrit, and gomamadhupati in Hindi (Kalachaveedu et al., 2006). All parts of the Thumbai plant have medicinal values. Flowers and leaves of the Thumbai plant are used for curing many diseases. Leucas aspera, i.e., Thumbai flowers, are used as a stimulant, expectorant, aperient, diaphoretic, insecticide, and emmenagogue (Prajapati et al., 2010). Nutrient balls are pretty much a perfect nutritious snack; they offer a satiating combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and are customizable and portable, offering the perfect nutrient mix of calories and body-building nutrients (Misra, 2005). It was observed that standardized Leucas aspera flower balls had a mean score and standard deviation for appearance, color, texture, taste, and flavor of 3.73 ± 0.746, 3.92 ± 0.784, 4.96 ± 0.952, 3.64 ± 0.728, and 3.66 ± 0.55, respectively, and the overall acceptability was 19.91 ± 3.760, showing good characteristics. The nutrient content of the Leucas aspera flower balls includes increased amounts of carbohydrates (39g), protein (9.2g), fat content (0.3%), iron (20mg), and calcium (1.2mg/dl).