THE UTILIZATION OF AFRICAN GRAINS IN WEANING FOOD
Date
1981-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
This study was undertaken to produce a weaning food from a blend of sorghum and cowpeas. The protein content of sorghum was 9.7% and cowpeas had 27.2% protein on a dry basis. Sorghum had a chemical score of 45 with lysine being the first limiting amino acid. Cowpeas had a chemical score of 69 with sulfur amono.acids being the first limiting amino acid. On the basis of chemical score, a mixture with optimum protein quality was calculated to contain 71% by weight of sorghum and 29% by weight of cowpeas. The protein content of the developed product was 14.9% on a dry basis, with 47% of the protein contributed by sorghum and 53% protein from cowpeas. The drum dried blend had an improved chemical score of 75.
The production of weaning food involved dry and wet processing. The dry processing included dehulling and milling the grains to flour. The wet processing consisted of adding water to the flour to make a 20% (w/v) slurry, then drum drying without precooking. Citric acid in the concentration of 0.03% was used to improve the color of the food. On the basis of sensory evaluation, the weaning food was well accepted.
Analysis of the blend showed improved balance of the limiting amino acids, although some amino acids still remained slightly below the FAO recommendations for infants.
The protein efficiency ratio (PER) was significantly higher in raw and drum dried blends than in individual raw and cooked sorghum or cowpea flours. Rats fed experimental diets of the drum dried blends showed improvements in feed intake, weight gain and protein intake as compared to the raw diets.
The results of the present study demonstrated the potential use of sorghum and cowpeas for producing food with a high protein quantity and quality and which is suitable for weaning children.
Description
Keywords
weaning food
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Home Economics