Development of Novel Fermented Almond Milk Tea and It’s Evaluation as Antidiabetic Drink

Background: It is well known that almond and tea is best known to prevent Diabetes mellitus due to its abundant source of polyphenols. Also, probiotics also have been used in the treatment of Diabetes. This study is focused on the combined effect of all these three ingredients through the process of fermentation.

Objective: The aim of this present study is to develop, analyse sensory parameters in human volunteers for optimisation and evaluate the antidiabetic efficiency of Fermented Almond milk tea (FAMT) both in vitro and in vivo analysis.

Study Design: Development of FAMTàOptimisation of FAMT based on sensory analysis from 25 human participantsà In vitro antidiabetic analysis of FAMT extract à Animal studies.

Place and Duration: The research work was conducted during November, 2019 to March, 2020 at the Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Post Bag No.1, Pennalur, Sriperumbudur Tk, Kancheepuram Dt, TN-602117, India.

Materials and Methods: FAMT was prepared by optimisation of different formulation based on sensory analysis recorded from 25 healthy human volunteers. The FAMT extract was prepared and was used for the in vitro analysis and phytochemical screening. The animal study was performed with 30 Albino Wistar rats which were divided into 5 groups under preventive regimen. Group I was healthy normoglycemic control group. Group II served as positive control. Group III received metformin (350 mg/kg bw, p.o) for 28 days. Group IV received 5% Fermented almond milk for 28 days. Group V received 5% FAMT for 28thday. All groups except Group I received single dose of STZ (50 mg/kg bw, i.p) on the 29th day for the induction of Diabetes mellitus. After 7 days from induction, animals were anaesthetized and blood was drawn for the evaluation of plasma glucose and serum TG, cholesterol & insulin.

Results: It was observed that FAMT (8:2) was favoured by the participants more than other formulations. FAMT was found to contain Saponins, flavonoids and phenol. The total poly phenol of FAMT (373 ± 3.0 μg/ml) was high than Fermented almond milk (232.5 ± 2.50 μg/ml). The DPPH scavenging, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibiting percentage of FAMT (59 ± 4%,52 ± 3%, 50 ± 4% respectively) was high when compared to fermented almond milk (32 ± 2%,34 ± 2% and 45 ± 2% respectively). From animal studies it was significantly observed that plasma glucose (P<0.0001) was reduced, serum insulin (P<0.001) was increased, serum TG (P<0.0.001) and cholesterol (P<0.01) were reduced when compared to Positive control Group- II.

Conclusion: Thus, FAMT was proved to act as a prophylactic anti-diabetic drink and was more potent than normal fermented almond milk.