Amaranth and Date Flavoured Milk

Background: This project is aimed at developing a milk-based beverage combining the nutrient properties of milk, amaranth and dates. Inclusion of amaranth and dates in flavoured milk could provide product diversification and benefits to the health-conscious consumers. The objective of the present study was to develop a procedure for manufacture of an amaranth date flavoured milk (ADFM) using amaranth and date. 
Methods: To select the level of fat in milk, four batches of ADFM were prepared from milks containing different levels of milk fat viz. F1 (4.5%), F2 (3.0%), F3 (1.5%) and F4 (0.1%). To carry out their optimization in the final product formulation, the data was analysed using response surface methodology (RSM) using an advanced statistical software program named design expert (Version 8.0.3) was employed.
Result: On the basis of overall acceptability score, ADFM prepared from milk containing fat at 3.0% fat was preferred the most. From amongst different types and levels of stabilizing salts it was found that addition of 0.15% sodium citrate prevented coagulation during sterilization. The levels of roasted amaranth flour (% w/w of milk), date extract (% w/w of milk) and sugar (% w/w of milk) for preparation of ADFM was optimized using RSM with CCRD using three independent variables. The suggested solution from RSM analysis for ADFM was: level of roasted amaranth flour: 1.61 % w/w of milk, level of date extract: 5.16% w/w of milk and sugar: 6.0% w/w of milk. The developed product has 20.83% total solid, 2.77% fat, 3.07% protein, 14.15% carbohydrate, and 0.84% ash. Results of the study revealed that an acceptable quality ADFM can be manufactured by incorporating roasted amaranth and date.