Pelargonium graveolens decoction: A promising natural food additive

Malek Ennaifer

Abstract

In traditional medicine, Pelargonium graveolens is largely consumed as hydrosol or water extracts. Our previous study showed that decoction extract has antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. For this reason, the natural extract was thought to be usedin food industry as a natural additive. Added to dates balls’ dough, the decoction led to the improvement of the organoleptic properties of this no-bake snack. Besides, the dough mixed with Pelargonium graveolensdecoction extract had a lower microbial count during a storage time of 28 days, at room temperature. The microbial tests, the texture and colour analysis suggestthe effect of the decoction addition on the shelf life of functional date balls.