Garden Cress Seeds: chemistry, medicinal properties, application in dairy and food industry: A Review

Abstract

Lepidium sativum also known as Garden Cress seeds contains several medicinal properties such as antioxidant properties, anti-anemic properties, anti-diabetic properties, anti-inflammatory properties, hepatoprotective properties, antimicrobial properties and chemoprotective properties. It can also be used to develop functional foods by fortification. Since the ancient period Garden Cress seeds have been used for medicinal purposes. It also has application in several diseases like asthma, diarrhea, in many skin diseases such as scurvy, etc. It is also useful for increasing the milk secretions in lactating mothers. Garden Cress seeds contain a remarkable amount of calcium, iron, folic acid, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. Their higher protein and lipid contents indicate that the seeds serve high energy. Its methionine is beneficial in the digestion process as well as plays an important role in the burning of fat and lysine is important in the nitrogen balance. Garden Cress seeds are used in the fortification of food and dairy products like Dahiwala bread, omega-3-fatty acid-rich biscuits, iron-rich biscuits, health drinks, vegetable oils blended with alpha-linoleic acid-rich Garden Cress oil, fortified burfi, fortified chikki etc.