INTRODUCTION:

Being fit with well toned muscles is evidence for one to prove being healthy. Muscle development will improve the appearance and shows athletic and stronger structure .¹ Nowadays there exists a passion among the younger generation either men or women to be more fit and in shape. Muscle development can be achieved by following a healthy diet and regular exercises, a set of physical activity program.² Though a fit and healthy physique can be achieved with natural energy rich food, our body developers are more disposed toward artificial supplement foods and energy drinks to attain a quick result. These supplements constitutes more undesirable chemical compositions that creates adverse effects paving the way to cause many chronic diseases.³

To overcome this tight spot the study involves in creating awareness about the natural food available to us for body development. Nuts are energy rich food constituents with high density of nourishments. Many

species of these nut varieties have been available; used in cooking for their healthy and nutritious properties. Nuts are good source of plant protein with high levels of saturated fats and calories being always considered a balanced diet. They have an ability to maintain cholesterol level and improve immunity. Many studies have stated, a regular consumption of these nuts help in preventing chronic heart diseases and cancer.⁴

Among these nut varieties almonds (Prunus dulcis) are considered to be the nut with lowest calories.⁵ Almonds are not true tree nuts, it falls in the rosaceous family. Their native crops belongs to Mediterranean climate region⁶, USA stands first in almond production with 42% of worlds contribution⁷. The positive facts about almonds have made the nations to celebrate 16^th February as National Almond Day to create awareness in almond consumption among their citizens⁸.

Almonds are consumed globally as raw, roasted or toasted, flakes, oils, almond milks or butter, used in preparation of healthy snacks, confectionary and bakery.⁹ Hundred grams of almonds constitutes 50.6 g of fat, 32.2 g of mono-saturated fatty acids, 12.2 g of poly-saturated acid, 21.3 g of protein, 8.8g of fiber, 275 mg magnesium and 248 mg calcium.¹⁰

Muscle Development features of Micro-nutrients in Almonds:

Almond is rich in micro-nutrients essential for body building, being any variety of almonds there exist no far-reaching difference in the concentration of micronutrients present¹¹. Almond constitutes a high percentage of fat, mono-saturated and poly-saturate fatty acids, which enriches the body with good bone development and strengthening.¹² These fatty acids help in maintaining cholesterol¹³ improves the blood cells and protect from heart diseases^{14, 15}

Vitamin E present in almonds helps to reduce the muscle stress⁹ occurs due to continuous work outs, its antioxidant value helps to develop and regenerate muscles tissues.¹⁶ Deficiency in vitamin E slows down the muscle development.¹⁷ Approximately an almond contains 0.25g of protein¹⁸ helps in muscle growth. Almonds act as a prime source of protein for the vegetarian body builders.

Minerals in food play an active part in healthy muscle development; almonds comprise all these prime minerals. Calcium (260-380mg)¹¹ helps in bone development¹⁹, iron enriches the production of red blood cells, magnesium (244-264mg)¹¹ boosts up the energy level for the basic work out for the body builders²⁰, zinc helps in utilizing the carbohydrates, protein, fat in the diet for the muscle development.²¹ Beside these other minerals like copper, potassium, manganese, phosphorous¹¹ etc present in almonds directly and indirectly help in muscle development.

Thus the study was done to establish detailed evidence about the presence of micronutrients present in almonds for muscle development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Phytochemical Analysis

Preparation of plant extract:

Grind the almond to a fine powder and add 1 gram of almond powder to 50ml of Hydro-Alcoholic solution ((70ml ethanol and 30ml of water). Add the almond powder and Hydro-alcoholic solution into a conical flask and shake well for 30 minutes. Let it rest for 24 hours and filter the extract with the help of whatman filter paper. The extract in stored in a test tube for further analysis.

Phytochemical screening: Scientific examination which has the extract using a standard procedure which classifies the elements described by Sofowara (1993), Trease and Evans (1989) and Harborne (1973 and 1984)²².

Test for Tannins:

The test which is practically prepared by using 1 ml of sample in a test tube is brought to boil and then filtered.(0.1%) of Ferric chloride is added to the sample which gives a brownish green or a blue-black color.

Test for Flavonoids:

The test which is practically prepared by using the plant extract and adding 5ml of diluted ammonia solution with concentrated H₂SO₄which gives a yellow color. When yellow color is formed the presence of flavonoids is evidenced.

Test for Steriods:

The test which is practically prepared with the plant extract with the addition of 2ml acetic anhydride and 2ml of H₂SO_4. The color turns from violet to blue which confirms the presence of steroids.

Test for alkaloids:

The test which is practically prepared by using the plant extract. Drops of Mayer’s reagent is added on the sides of the test tube which gives a creamy or white precipitate which confirms the presence of alkaloids.

Test for Polyphenols:

The test which is practically prepared using the plant extract by adding 4 ml of Ethanol the solution is transferred to a test tube and kept in warm water for about 15 minutes and adding 3 drops of fresh ferric cyanide solution which gives a formation of blue-green color which indicates the presence of polyphenols.

Qualitative Analysis of Inorganic Elements:

500mg of ash drug material is prepared and treated with HNO₃and HCL (3:1 v/v) for about 1 hour. The solution is filtered the filtered solution should be used for the following research.²³

Calcium:

One drop of diluted ammonium hydroxide and saturated ammonium oxalate solution is added to 10 ml of the sample. Formation of white precipitate of calcium oxalate, soluble in hydrochloric acid which is insoluble in acetic acid is observed.

Magnesium:

The calcium oxalate precipitate which is obtained during the calcium research is filtered. The filtered solution is heated and cooled. An amount of sodium phosphate is added to the diluted ammonia solution. A white crystalline precipitate is observed in the process.

Sodium:

2 ml of the sample is taken and few drops of uranyl magnesium is added. Shake well and rest for a few minutes. A yellow crystalline precipitate is observed in the process.

Potassium:

Add few drops of sodium cobalt nitrate solution to 2-3ml of the sample, gives a yellow precipitate of potassium cobalt nitrite.

Iron:

Add few drops of potassium Ferro-cyanide (2%) to 5ml of sample solution. Which results in a dark blue coloration.

Sulphate: Add 5 ml of the test solution to lead acetate reagent. A white precipitate which is soluble in sodium hydroxide is observed.

Phosphate:

5ml of test solution is prepared in nitric acid and added with few drops of ammonium molybdate solution. The mixture is heated and cooled. Which results in a yellow crystalline precipitate of ammonium molybdate.

Chloride:

Adding 3 – 5 ml lead acetate solution with 5 – 7 ml of the sample solution final result will be a white precipitate soluble in hot water.

Nitrates:

Add ferrous sulphate with 5ml of the sample solution. If brown color doesn’t exist, then add sulphuric acid slowly from the side of the test tube, results in a brown colored ring at the junction of the two liquids.

Qualitative Analysis of Vitamins

Test for Vitamin- A:

Dissolve 250 mg of the powdered sample with 5 ml of chloroform, and then filter it. Adding antimony trichloride 5 ml solution that in a transient blue color immediately.

Test for Vitamin-C:

Dilute1 ml of the sample solution with 5 ml of water, add 1 drop of freshly prepared sodium nitroprusside and 2 ml of dilute sodium hydroxide solution. Add the Hcl dropwise(0.6%). Yellow Color which turns blue is observed.

Test for Vitamin - D:

Dissolving 500 ml of the powdered sample with 10 ml of chloroform and then filtered, adding antimony trichloride 10 ml which gives a pinkish-red color.

Test for Vitamin - E:

Soaking 500 mg of the sample powder with Ethanol (10 ml) for about 5 minutes and filter it. Add Ferric chloride 0.1% to the ethanol and add 1 ml of 2’2’dipyridyl to 1 ml of the filtrate. A bright-red color is formed in the white background which gradually changes as pink²⁴.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

In this study, the nutritive value of almond was examined. Phytochemical, Inorganic Elements, Vitamins of the food sample was observed in ease. The results prove that the efficient food required for the muscle expansion test is similar to the traditional nutrients nut have proved physiological benefits in the examination. Nutraceuticals supplements which are used in the form of pills, capsules or liquids reduces the physiological benefits, which are highly available in the open market. There is competition for the functional food manufactures because of such products which address the problem of sensory asuitability which is not essential for the nutraceutical or pharmaceutical foods. The merchandise reached the market mostly those belongs to the antioxidants and omega-3 oils or probiotics among people.

The antioxidant group which is mostly combines of phenolic or poly-phenolic but also carotenoids besides phytates, vitamins, uric acid and minerals. The awareness of phytochemicals originate in plant food as a bioactive components diet is prolonged in last few ages. These have been related to the inhibition or abridged progression of chronic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer or deterioratingdiseases²⁵. In the current study tannin, steroids, and polyphenol are present in the examination. The existence of these compounds indicates the positive outcome on the health.

Table.1: Qualitative analysis of Phytochemicals in Almond

Sl.No	Phytochemicals	Hydro-alcoholic extract
1	Tannin	+
2	Flavonoids	-
3	Steroids	+
4	Alkaloids	-
5	Polyphenol	+

(- Indicates absence, + indicates presences)

The minerals are acquired from the earth’s crust which affects the weather, rocks that comprise mineral from ground into smaller elements that becomes a part of the soil. Plants which grow in the soil absorb the mineral content. Both animals and human being food are being absorbed by the plants. Minerals are a part of the food chain which help as structural components of tissues cellular, basal metabolism, and water and acid-base balance.

Table.2: Qualitative analysis of inorganic elements in Almond

Inorganic Elements	Result
Calcium	+
Magnesium	++
Sodium	++
Potassium	+
Iron	++
Sulphate	-
Phosphate	++
Chloride	+
Nitrate	++

Vitamins are an organic compound, which are an essential nutrient that an organism necessitates in a limited amount. An organic chemical compound is a vitamin where, when the organism which cannot make the compound in adequate amount, which must be acquired through diet, thus the term vitamin is conditional upon the circumstances and the particular organism. Vitamin supplements are essential for the treatment of certain health problems; otherwise healthy people generally receive no benefit from using vitamin supplement²⁶.

Table.3: Qualitative analysis of Vitamins in Almond

Sl.no	Vitamins	Observation
1.	Vitamins A	-
2.	Vitamins C	++
3.	Vitamins D	-
4.	Vitamins E	++

(- Indicates absence, + indicates presences and ++ indicates high concentration)

CONCLUSION:

The study concludes almonds acts as a prime source of micro-nutrients like calcium, manganese, iron; vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin E, protein and fatty acids that help in muscle development. Consumption of 30-40g of almonds in diet, with regular exercises always helps in muscle development. Beside these energy rich natural food ingredients that are easily available it has been observed that our younger generation is more obsessed with the artificial market products which enable quick results and ruining their health. The study assays to advise the younger generation who are committed to body development the advantages of consuming natural food to develop their muscles as the end result will be sure and steady with no side effects.

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Received on 27.03.2018 Modified on 16.05.2018

Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2018; 11(10): 4539-4542.

DOI: 10.5958/0974-360X.2018.00830.2