Nutritional and bioactive potentials of a powder and a decoction made from Ceylon cinnamon bark, Laurus nobilis leaves, and Curcuma longa Linn rhizome

Abstract

The blends of Ceylon cinnamon bark (F1), Laurus nobilis leave (F2), and Curcuma longa rhizome (F3) powders are recommended by therapists, as are their decoction, for fighting chronic diseases. This study aimed to assess the nutritional and bioactive potential of a powder blend made from those three plant food matrices and the form of consumption with the most beneficial antioxidant potential. Ceylon cinnamon dry bark, Laurus nobilis fresh leaves, and Curcuma longa fresh rhizome were purchased and processed directly into powders. A substitution plan of Cinnamon powder involving three powder blends (F4, F5, F6) and a decoction marketed had been retained. The proximate composition, nutrient density, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of the powder blends and decoction (bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity) were determined. F1 powder, presents the best characteristics in terms of protein content, nutrient density, and bioactive compounds. The powder blend F6, composed of 50 % Ceylon cinnamon bark, 30 % Laurus nobilis leaves and 20 % Curcuma longa rhizome, had higher contents of total protein (14.85 ± 0.37 g/100 g DM), crude fiber (32. 49 ± 0.90 g/100 g DM), total polyphenols (268.50 ± 2.00 mg GAE/g DM), total flavonoids (55.09 ± 1.01 mg QE/g DM), and a higher nutrient density in iron (1.03 mg/100 Kcal) and zinc (1.61 mg/100 Kcal). The decoction obtained from the F6 powder blend after 5 min of boiling, had high soluble bioactive compounds contents: polyphenol (24.5 ± 1.07 mg GAE/g DM), flavonoids (0.25 ± 0.01 mg QE/g DM), and condensed tannins (0.09 ± 0.00 mg CE/g DM). An antioxidant activity whose main basic mechanism is the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+, higher (74.94 % close to vitamin C) than that of the blend itself (65.20 % close to vitamin C). The decoction derived from the boiling of the F6 powder blend represents its most advantageous form of consumption.