A Preliminary Study of Development and Functional Evaluation of a Passion Fruit Beverage Prepared Using Adaptogenic Ingredients of Pegaga and Licorice for Cognitive and Stress Support

Tan, Yen Yin (2026) A Preliminary Study of Development and Functional Evaluation of a Passion Fruit Beverage Prepared Using Adaptogenic Ingredients of Pegaga and Licorice for Cognitive and Stress Support. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

The rising demand in functional foods have prompted the exploration of adaptogenic beverages aimed at supporting cognitive performance and stress. This study was designed to develop and evaluate natural passion fruit beverages that are prepared using adaptogenic ingredients of pegaga (Centella asiatica) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The objectives were to develop the functional beverage and evaluate its potential functional effects with short-term human pilot study. Two treatment formulations were developed with different proportions of pegaga and licorice aqueous extracts, along with a control formulation. One of the treatments with higher antioxidant activity and a control were used for the two-week randomized controlled, single blinded pilot study. Participants consumed either control or treatment beverages on the alternate days with a total of six servings. The study was conducted to evaluate cognitive and stress support outcomes. Pre- and post-interventions were assessed by using a validated questionnaire: Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The principal results demonstrated a modest improvement of stress support and significant impact on cognitive measures among treatment groups in comparison with control. In summary, the natural passion fruit beverage uses pegaga and licorice as adaptogenic ingredients providing antioxidant properties and preliminary cognitive and stress supporting functional benefits. Further large-scale, long-term trials, biomarker assessments are necessary to validate efficacy, investigate underlying mechanisms and dosage optimization. This study contributes to the expanded demand by supporting the development of functional adaptogenic beverages.