Abstract
We studied plant-based milk from soya beans as a means to release and convey the bound antioxidants in turmeric to benefit consumer health. This was compared to cow milk as a carrier because soya milk consumption as an alternative to cow milk is increasing globally. Hence, turmeric paste was added to milk to investigate the release of turmeric antioxidants when changing the matrix (cow vs. soy), the amount of turmeric paste (0%, 2%, and 6%), and the effect of heating (with and without). Proximate, physicochemical, and mineral analysis were carried out for all samples. The total phenol content (TPC) and total antioxidant activity were measured using Folin-Ciocalteu and Quencher methods. Protein ranged from 2.0% to 4.0%, and minerals ranged from 17.8 to 85.1, 0.37 to 0.53, and 0.29 to 0.30 mg/100 mL for calcium, iron, and zinc, respectively. TPC ranged from 0.01 to 0.147 GAE (g/kg) and antioxidant activity from 7.5 to 17.7 TEAC (mmol Trolox/kg sample). Overall, turmeric added nutritional and chemical value to all the samples with and without heat treatment. However, turmeric-fortified soya milk samples showed the highest protein, iron, zinc, TPC, and antioxidant activity. This study identified a cheap, additional nutrient source for developing-countries' malnourished populations by utilizing soya bean milk to produce golden milk.