COST ASSESSMENT AND FEASIBILITY STUDY OF FIBER-ENRICHED PREBIOTIC BISCUITS

This study aimed to develop low-cost, dietary fiber–enriched prebiotic biscuits by incorporating varying amounts of oat powder as a prebiotic in experimental biscuits, while control biscuits were prepared without prebiotics. The nutritive qualities of these bakery products attracted attention for potential inclusion in feeding programs and emergency nutrition initiatives. Cost analysis revealed that the mean cost of control (T0) biscuits was 14.02 rupees, whereas the mean costs of experimental biscuits (T1, T2, and T3) were 20.04, 23.02, and 25.02 rupees, respectively. The study demonstrates that enriching biscuits with dietary fiber and prebiotics is feasible, though it increases production cost. These findings provide insights for the formulation of functional bakery products that balance nutritional enhancement and affordability, particularly in contexts where dietary interventions are necessary