By: Nor Azizah Ismail
SERDANG, Jan 7 – Date seeds, which are usually a waste product, can provide various health benefits to humans, especially for consumer concerned about healthy eating.
A researcher from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Salwa Abd Ghani, made innovation in coffee powder from date seeds, which can increase the potential of date seeds as an alternative to coffee and provide health benefits.
She said the date seeds that were turned into a fine powder is a high potential health drink.
“The powder is optimal and dissolves in water quickly,” she said.
She said the idea was developed following an increase in demand by modern consumers who focus on food and beverage products that bring health benefit and a healthy diet.
The innovation also applied the concept of ‘waste to wealth’ through the production of the date seed beverage. More interestingly, the cost of making the date seed coffee powder was lower at RM1.00/10g because the ingredients used were 100% natural and extraction was done using water, compared to other health drinks which were more expensive because they have many more processes.
From studies conducted, she found that date seed contained minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that were ten times higher than the date itself, which can stabilise blood sugar levels, increase insulin sensitivity and serve as anti-cancer agent.
It does not contain acid and caffeine, and it provides high return benefits on health and economy, reduces environmental waste and provides added value to the date farming industry.
The formulation of this coffee powder production was based on simple manufacturing methods using heat and water extract treatment.
According to her, her team is now in the process of collaborating with a food manufacturing company that is interested in commercialising the innovation.
Team members who also involved in the innovation were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Uswatun Hasanah Zaidan, Dr. Mohd Izuan Effendi Halmi and Suzziyana Hosni.
The Date Seed Coffee innovation won the bronze medal at the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2020. - UPM
