Functional and pasting properties of fortified complementary foods formulated from maize (Zea mays) and african yam bean flour (Sphenostylis stenocarpa)
Description
This research evaluated the functional, pasting and micro nutrient properties of complementary weaning food product made from maize (Zea mays) and African yam bean (AYB) (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) and fortified with cattle bone meal, Brachystegia eurycoma (achi) / potash emulisified with red palm oil and Moringa oleifera for improvement of nutrient content. Maize and AYB (malted and unmalted AYB) were processed into flour samples while the fortificants were subjected to different treatment to ascertain the treatment that has the highest micro nutrient after processing for use in the formulation and blending with the flour samples. The functional, pasting and micro nutrient properties of the formulated blends were determined using standard methods. Ashed fermented by back slopping, dried and milled (AFDm) treatment for cattle bone meal, unfermented B.eurycoma (BEU) / potash emulsion (PU), and fresh fermented Moringa oleifera (FF) treatment have the highest micronutrient content after processing and were used in the formulation of the infant food . The vitamin A and zinc content of the formulated infant food were significantly higher than the control (Nutrend ,a complementary food produced by Nestle Nigeria PLC). The functional properies, water absorption capacity (WAC) and bulk density (BD) ranged from 155 to 195 g/g and 0.86 to 1.43 g/mL, respectively while wettability (WB) values ranged from 16 to 40 sec. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the dispersability (DISP). Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the pasting property, pasting temperature, set-back viscosity, final viscosity, peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity except for the peak time. The fortified complementary foods prepared from maize flour and malted AYB, significantly improved the functional and pasting properties of the flour blends due to its high nutrient content and low bulk density which can serve as alternative to commercial products.