Development of a nutrient dense complementary porridge flour from locally available foods

Prevalence of childhood malnutrition in Tanzania is still high despite the numerous interventions that have been carried out to solve this problem. This has also been contributed by poor complementary feeding practices. This study developed a nutrient dense complementary porridge from soybeans, amaranth grains, pumpkin seeds and orange fleshed sweet for use in complimentary feeding among children 6-24 months of age. Specifically the study assessed the porridges' nutritional composition, its contribution to nutrients requirements its sensory properties and consumer acceptability as well as its shelf life stability. Five porridge samples were prepared from a composite flour of soybeans, amaranth grains, pumpkin seeds and orange fleshed sweet potato (SAPO 1-5) and compared to two references (commercial samples) from a composite flour of soybeans, orange fleshed sweet potato and sorghum (SOS) and soybeans, maize, groundnuts, and millet (SMGM). The samples were analyzed and compared for proximate composition, minerals, and vitamin A and C. The nutrient densities in 100ml of the targeted nutrients of interest in this study; energy, protein, vitamin A, iron and zinc were assessed. In 100 ml, SAPO1 had highest energy 117.61 Kcal and protein 3.19g, SAPO2 had highest zinc of 14.47 mg/100 g SAPO4 had highest Vitamin A of 56.11 μg/100 mg while SAPO5 had the highest 20.81mg iron. Zinc and iron extractability was higher in SAPO2 and SAPO4. In vitro protein digestibility ranged (90-99%) in all samples. Sensory evaluation revealed that all porridge samples were accepted by panelists’ although SAPO5 was the most accepted by both groups. Attributes like color hue, aroma, sweetness and oiliness were the drivers to consumer liking of the formulated porridge. All attributes tested; appearance, taste, texture and acceptability remained within acceptable limits during four weeks of storage at 450C. Attribute aroma especially for SAPO3 decreased slightly after storage period. SAPO1 predicted to have shortest shelf life of 23 days while SAPO5 had a longest shelf life of 85 days based on Arrhenius equations. Therefore, the utilization of soybeans, amaranth grains, pumpkin seeds and orange fleshed sweet potato can provide products with high nutritional values, high bio-available protein, acceptable attributes and which can stay for a long time. It is therefore recommended from this study that, the awareness on the nutritional benefits, higher bio- available protein and shelf life stability of these foods in complementary feeding should be created to all communities so as to increase their utilization which will also increase its production. This will help in reducing childhood malnutrition in Tanzania which is contributed by the use of low nutrient dense complementary foods.