Technological and Biological Evaluation of Pan Bread Supplemented with Desert Date (Balanites Aegyptiaca)

Abstract

Introduction: Large concentrations of soluble tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids found in Balanites aegyptiaca (BA) make it a great source of antioxidants and reactive oxygen species scavengers.

Objectives: The present study was carried out to prepare pan bread from desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) powder (PBDDP) and its extracts (PBDDE) 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10% and study their protection effect against AlCl₃-induced hepatotoxicity.

Methods: Sensory evaluation, chemical composition, physical properties, staling tests, and antioxidant activity (DPPH %) of prepared pan bread were determined. A biological experiment was conducted on albino rats that fed on prepared pan bread (PBDDP and PBDDE) at 3%, 5%, and AlCl₃ (34 mg/kg bw in drinking water), then the levels of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, ALT, and AST were measured in serum.

Results: The results of pan bread samples showed that PBDDP and PBDDE (3% and 5%) were well accepted by consumers. The highest protein content was found in PBDDP 5% and PBDDP 3% (11.77% and 11.69%, respectively). AWRC decreased slowly during storage time 24, 48, and 72 h in PBDDP 3% followed by PBDDP and PBDDE 5% compared to the other pan bread samples indicating preservation of bread freshness and slow staling of the bread during storage times. Antioxidant activity and total phenol increased significantly in PBDDP 5% followed by 3% PBDDP. The levels of TC and LDL-C were decreased significantly in all groups that administrated PBDDP and PBDDE (3% and 5%) + AlCl₃(34 mg/kg bw) compared with the positive group (PC), while HDL-C was increased significantly in groups (G4, G6, and G3). The results also indicated that G4 administrated AlCl₃ (34 mg/kg bw) + 5% PBDDP gave the best results, where it showed a significant decrease in serum TC and LDL-C levels, also significantly increased HDL-C level followed by G6 that administrated AlCl₃ (34 mg/kg bw) + PBDDE 5%. Also, G4 and G6 gave the best results of the levels of AST and ALT compared to all groups, where they decreased significantly AST and ALT activities, and their results were similar to the NC.

Conclusions: We can conclude that the PBDDP 5% showed a strong effect against toxicity induced by AlCl₃; therefore, desert dates (Balanites aegyptiaca) can be considered a suitable natural is ideal ingredient against AlCl₃-induced hepatotoxicity.