Design and Development of Wheatgrass Granules and its comparative evaluation With market sample

Abstract

The Human diet is enriched with young parts of plants (so called ―green foods), which can improve nutrient balance intake in natural way. Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) refers to young grass of the common wheat plant, which belongs to Poaceae family. This is the most commonly found herb in India, although its nativity is currently unknown. This plant is believed to have many nutritional values; it has been shown to have antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, immunomodulatory, laxative, astringent, diuretic, antibacterial and anti-aging properties. Its use in acidity, colitis, kidney malfunctions, atherosclerosis and swelling has been shown to be beneficial. Wheatgrass juice helps in building red blood cells and stimulates healthy tissue cell growth. The wheatgrass was grown in laboratory in predefined conditions and the wheat grass extract was obtained and non-effervescent granules were formulated. Various nutritional properties were studied and compared with marketed sample and Formulation. The stability of wheatgrass juice is very poor hence consuming it after few hours would not provide the same benefits as when consumed fresh. But, it is tedious for people to collect fresh grass daily and consume it, since the daily requirement of wheatgrass is 2-3 ounce only. Therefore our aim of the study was to formulate a safe, stable and effective formulation in form of oral nutritional herbal drink which would provide same benefits as the fresh wheatgrass. The main objectives of the study were:  Pharmacognostic evaluation of grass with the aim of establishing the diagnostic standards.  Physicochemical evaluation and phytochemical analysis of grass using various chemical tests and quantitative estimations.  Growing grass and preparation of extract from fresh wheat grass.  Selection of appropriate solubilisation technique, optimization of various process variables and formulation of non-effervescent granules from wheat grass extract.  Evaluations of various nutrients present in the formulation and its comparison with marketed sample and laboratory grass.The characters were studied first for authentication of the grass of Triticum Aestivum. The morphological and microscopical evaluation was done for proper identification of the herbal drug. The morphology showed glabrous, auriculate, with blades narrowly to broadly linear; broad to narrow; 2-20 mm wide, flat, without cross venation. Transverse section of leaflet shows an Upper epidermis covered with cuticle. Only covering trichomes emerge from epidermal layer.Mesophyll is made up of uniform parenchyma cells, loosely arranged. Lower epidermis is very similar to upper epidermis. Midrib represents a flat ventral surface and convex dorsal surface. The epidermal layers are continuous over the midrib, collateral and conjoint vascular bundle is prominent occupying the central portion of the midrib. Vascular bundle is surrounded by sclerenchymatous tissues.same character were found for powder microscopy. The wheat species Triticum aestivum were grown in plastic trays as per the standard procedure. After proper height was obtained by the grown grass, it was cut. This fresh mature wheat grass was taken and washed with fresh water in order to remove any earthy matter. This washed grass was then placed into an extracting solution of distilled water and methanol in a ratio of 7:3 respectively in order to obtain the proper extract and presence of methanol served as a preservative. This mixture was then sonicated for duration of 1-2 hours at room temperature. The resulting solution was filtered with wattman filter paper with a prepared cotton bed placed above it. During filtration, the extract was extensively and carefully squeezed in order to obtain almost all the filterate as well as to prevent any damage to the filter aid. The filterate was then placed in the rotary vacuum bath for solvent reduction for duration of 3-4 hours. The resulting concentrated solution was then centrifuged for 7 minutes at 5000rpm, room temperature. After centrifugation, the supernatant was decanted carefully and the semi-solid mass obtained below the supernatant was placed in a china dish and dried on water bath at a temperature below 40˚C for a duration it was completely dried. After drying, the product was scrapped from the china dish and slightly hard lumps of the extract were obtained. These hard lumps were properly grinded in a glass mortar pestle followed by sieving using a 100 mesh sieve until a powdered extract is obtained.The extract was prepared from fresh wheatgrass juice. The solubility was the main issue for the obtained extract found was very less soluble in water. So various techniques like complexation, particle size reduction with β-cyclodextrin and evaporate to dryness were employed and compared to select the best approach to be used the formulation development.The combination of both complexation and particle size reduction with β-cyclodextrin showed an increase in solubility of the extract in water. The noneffervescent granules were formulated and the nutritional studies like estimation of Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Amino acid, Chlorophyll, Phenolics and Flavonoids in extract, marketed sample, laboratory grass and formulation. The solubility of extract was found increased in water due to the combination approach of complexation and particle size reduction with β-cyclodextrin and the nutritional drink was formulated. The Phytochemical analysis combined with TLC studies showed many spots resolvedat different Rf values. The nutritional data obtained showed satisfactory result of Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Amino acid, Chlorophyll, Phenolics and Flavonoids in extract, marketed sample, laboratory grass and formulation. Due to the various uses of wheatgrass, the extract was formulated so that it can be taken orally and can be useful during various disease conditions specifically blood related disorders and gastric problems. Various phytochemical parameter were also evaluated for grass like Determination of acid in soluble ash, Determination of water soluble ash, Determination of alcohol soluble extractive, Determination of water soluble extractive, Determination of moisture contain. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of various phytoconstituent like carbohydrates, sterols, seponins, phenolic compound and tennins, amino acid and proteins and flavonoids.