Enhancement of health beneficial bioactivities of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) by puffing.

Effects of puffing and extraction method on physical and biological efficacy of bitter melon was investigated. Puffing increased the Maillard reaction products, extraction yield, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity was the highest at 980 kPa, but there was no significant difference between two extraction methods. However, methanol extraction showed higher anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic activities. Charantin was detected only in methanol extraction and increased with increasing puffing pressure. In addition to the remarkable increase in antioxidant activity, puffing could increase the charantin contents of BM. Methanol extract showed better biological efficacy excluding antioxidant activity than those of hot water extraction. Overall, puffing can be used as a method for increasing the functionality of BM, and it may be effective to consume puffed BM by itself such as the chip or powder forms without extraction for liberation and absorption of bioactive substances for the human body.