NUTRITIONAL QUALITY, STORAGE STABILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF HOME-PROCESSED READY-TO-EAT COMPOSITE FOODS FOR REHABILITATING UNDERNOURISHED PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES

摘要

Low nutrient density in weaning foods is the major cause of under-nutrition among infants and young children in developing countries. Ten types of composite weaning products namely corn-SUA-90 beans-peanut, corn-peanut-sardines, corn-peanut-sardine-SUA-90 beans, corn-peanut-soaked SUA-90 beans, corn-peanut-germinated SUA-90 beans, sorghum-SUA-90 beans-peanut, sorghum-peanut-sardines, sorghum-peanut-sardine-SUA-90 beans, sorghum-peanut-soaked SUA-90 beans and sorghum-peanut-germinated SUA-90 beans were formulated and assayed for proximate composition, energy, mineral density, tannin content, residual urease activity and amino acid profile. The products were also evaluated for storage stability at ambient conditions, organoleptic quality and overall acceptability. Results of the study indicated that, concentrations of protein, fat, ash, Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased when plain corn and sorghum gruels were enriched with SUA-90 beans, peanut paste and/or ground sardines. Soaking and germinating the SUA-90 beans and dehulling the sorghum reduced the concentration of tannins in the gruels significantly (p ≤ 0.05). The corn and sorghum-based composite gruels had short shelf lives when stored under ambient temperatures (28.6C) ranging between four and six hours, with gruels containing ground sardines showing a tendency to spoil faster. All composite products except those containing germinated SUA-90 beans were liked and highly accepted by consumers (p ≤ 0.05) similar to the traditional plain corn and sorghum gruels. The corn and sorghum-based composite products therefore have a potential for use as weaning and/or supplementary foods for enhancing growth and rehabilitating undernourished pre-school age children.