Debasrita Banerjee * and Luxita Sharma
Department of Dietetics and Applied Nutrition, Amity Medical School, Amity University Gurugram, Haryana 122413, India
*(e-mail: deb22banerjee@gmail.com)
(Received: December 25, 2024; Accepted: March 25, 2025)
ABSTRACT
Nachos are a very popular ready-to-eat food product. However, their traditional composition may not be suitable for the dietary needs of women with conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is linked to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and infertility. The objective of this study is to develop a healthier alternative to traditional nachos using chickpea flour (Cicer arietinum), whole wheat (Triticum aestivum), and dried citrus pulp powder from lemon (Citrus limon), orange (Citrus sinensis), and lime (Citrus aurantiifolia). The nutritional composition of the product, especially fiber and antioxidants, was evaluated, owing to their roles in the PCOS symptom management. The Multi-Attribute Hierarchical Process (MAHP) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods were used to perform the sensory evaluation. The dried citrus pulp powder, chickpea flour, and whole wheat flour combination in EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4, and EP5 are (20 + 45 + 35) g, (25 + 45 + 30) g, (30 + 45 + 25) g, (35 + 45 + 20) g, and (40 + 45 + 15) g, respectively. EP1 is rated best among all five samples in appearance, taste, color, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability. The nachos, which are newly developed, contain a high amount of fiber (11.6 g). The nachos contain 378.43 Kcal of calories. In addition, it contains high antioxidant content (5.2 mmol TEAC). The nachos could be a suitable food product for individuals with PCOS and related metabolic disorders. The nutritional profile of the product included high fiber and antioxidants from plant-based ingredients and citrus fruits.
Key words : Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantiifolia, nachos, PCOS