Monday, 25 August 2025

Roselle Reclaimed: Pioneering Value-added Products from a Forgotten Plant |Chapter 6 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 3

 

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn), a multipurpose underutilised crop, has immense potential for value addition toward food, nutraceutical, and industrial purposes. The development, optimisation and determination of the quality of Roselle-based products (jam, jelly, and soup premix powder) is reported here. As global food industries shift towards sustainable and health-oriented practices, the role of underutilised crops like Roselle becomes increasingly critical. By developing innovative products and exploring their commercial viability, this chapter highlights the importance of Roselle in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern food science, thus contributing to global health and economic development. An all-inclusive approach comprising raw material selection, product development, and quality standardisation from Roselle’s specialised nutrition profile of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and fibres was implemented. Results revealed that Roselle products have good sensory properties, nutritional qualities, and are shelf-stable, making them possible for commercialisation. Proximate analysis indicated that the products were high in carbohydrate and fibre, while sensory evaluations indicated that taste, texture and appearance were the most preferred attributes by consumers. The proximate analysis revealed notable differences among the products. In the case of Roselle Jam, carbohydrates constituted the majority of the jam’s nutritional content (21.94% to 36.21%). Protein levels ranged from 0.21% to 1.82%, while fat content ranged from 0.6% to 0.19%. The fibre content was relatively high (1.61%–4.57%). Moisture content ranged from 59.15% to 74.7%. For Roselle Jelly, the jelly exhibited values ranging from 24.50% to 35.10%. For Soup Premix Powder, the soup premix powder had a balanced nutritional profile, with carbohydrates at 35.78%–42.30%, proteins at 5.21%–8.14%, and fats at 1.02%–2.45%. Its high fibre content (4.87%–8.12%) was a standout feature, attributed to the inclusion of dried vegetables and spices. Moisture content was kept below 5% to ensure shelf stability. Moreover, stability studies proved the shelf-life for the product at room temperature and refrigerated conditions. The research then explores the more wide-ranging benefits of adopting Roselle, amongst which are its economic advantages to smallholder farmers, its nutraceutical application in the support of functional foods and its economic potential in terms of encouraging sustainable agriculture. As global demand for natural and functional products grows, Roselle emerges as a promising crop with the potential to address food security, health challenges, and environmental sustainability.

 

Author(s) Details

 

Takam Yari
Food Science and Nutrition Department, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Seema Sonkar
Food Science and Nutrition Department, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v3/5975

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