Comparative study of nutritional properties and antioxidant activity of raw and fermented (black) garlic

The core objective of this research work was to determine the nutritional and bioactive profile of raw and fermented (black) garlic. For this purpose, different varieties of garlic i.e., desi and farmi were procured from local market of Faisalabad, Pakistan. In addition, desi raw garlic (DRG) and farmi raw garlic (FRG) were converted into desi fermented (black) garlic (DFG) and farmi fermented garlic (FFG) through fermentation in incubator at 60 degrees C and 70-80% humidity level for 30 days. Moreover, nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of raw and fermented (black) garlic were also elucidated. Results showed that moisture content of garlic was rapidly reduced, whereas crude protein, crude fiber, crude ash, and carbohydrate contents were significantly improved after fermentation. In addition, protein contents of DRG and FRG garlic were 8.57 +/- 0.21 and 6.38 +/- 0.05 g/100 g whilst 9.5 +/- 0.35 and 8.1 +/- 0.06 g/100 g, in DFG and FFG, respectively, after fermentation. Additionally, carbohydrate contents were also increased up to 30-40% after fermentation. Mineral contents such as potassium, sulfur, aluminum, iron, sodium, magnesium, zinc, and copper were also increased after fermentation. Furthermore, garlic fermentation significantly reduced pH level. Antioxidant activity showed that total phenolic contents (TPC) of DRG & FRG were 2421.3 & 2128.5 mg GAE/kg while 2886.7, & 2529.8 mg GAE/kg for DFG and FFG, respectively. Total flavonoid contents of DRG and FRG were 124 & 101 mg RE/100 g, whereas DFG and FFG were 191 & 121mgRE/100 g. FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS values were higher in DRG and DFG as compared to FRG and FFG. Conclusively, fermented (black) garlic showed a higher nutritional profile, mineral content, as well as antioxidant activity as compared to raw garlic. C-1: Avoid % for concentration, use more clearly; for examples g/100 g raw materials, g/100 g dry-solids, g/100 g extract, g/100 g oil???) Check all???