Development and characterization of a novel preoperative carbohydrate drink enriched with standardized 6-gingerol ginger extract for enhanced recovery after surgery protocols

This study aimed to develop and characterize a novel preoperative carbohydrate drink enriched with standardized 6-gingerol ginger extract for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols. The investigation focused on optimizing preparation methods, evaluating physicochemical properties, assessing biological activity, and determining 6-gingerol stability. Two preparation methods were compared: spray drying yielded significantly higher 6-gingerol content (0.86 mg/g) compared to mixing (0.37 mg/g). The optimized formulation exhibited physicochemical properties suggesting theoretical suitability for perioperative use, including pH (6.51), viscosity (2.40 cP), and osmolality (207 mOsm/kg). Gamma irradiation at 5 kGy effectively reduced microbial contamination while preserving 6-gingerol content. Anti-inflammatory activity was confirmed with an IC 50 of 52.29 mg/mL for nitric oxide inhibition. Stability testing demonstrated consistent 6-gingerol retention over six months at room temperature. Sensory evaluation revealed high consumer acceptance scores (7.66 ± 0.82 on a 9-point hedonic scale). This novel ginger-enriched carbohydrate drink represents a promising nutritional intervention for ERAS protocols, combining metabolic benefits with potential anti-emetic properties. • Spray drying method yielded significantly higher 6-gingerol content than the mixing process. • Gamma irradiation at 5 kGy reduced microbial load while preserving bioactive compound content. • The formulation demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity and high sensory acceptance. • 6-Gingerol remained stable for six months at room temperature. • Novel carbohydrate drink combines metabolic benefits with anti-emetic properties for perioperative care.