EFFECT OF INCORPORATION OF FENUGREEK SEED ON GLYCEMIC INDEX OF CHAPATI

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine whether fenugreek seed powder and fenugreek seed extract could reduce the glycemic response when added to chapati. Through sensory analysis, 7.5% fenugreek powder incorporated chapatti and 10% fenugreek extract incorporated chapatti was found acceptable to taste. 9 healthy human subjects were given glucose (reference food, twice), chapatti (0 %, 7.5 % fenugreek seed powder and 10 % fenugreek seed extract) on 5 different occasions after 10-12 hours fasting. All the test food contained 50 g carbohydrate. Finger prick blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after the start of the meal using glucometer. Addition of 7.5 % fenugreek powder lowered the glycemic index of chapati by 29.8% and glycemic load by 46.72%. Addition of 10% fenugreek seed extract lowered the glycemic index by 2.9% and glycemic load by 12.9%. The glycemic index of chapati with 7.5% fenugreek seed powder (50.71±10.83) is significantly different (p <0.05) than that of control (72.24±6.04). But there is no significant difference (p >0.05) in glycemic index of chapati with 10% fenugreek extract (70.14±8.98) and control. Glycemic load of fenugreek powder incorporated chapati (7.31±1.56) and fenugreek extract incorporated chapati (11.94±1.53) is significantly different from that of control (13.72±1.14). This present finding indicates that glycemic response of chapati can be improved by incorporating fenugreek seed.