Orange fleshed sweet potato: its use in complementary infant formula

Abstract

A complementary food was developed from the vitamin A rich orange fleshed sweet potation to help reduce vitamin A deficiency among infants. Experimental research design was used for the study. Fifty six infants of ages 6-24 months were purposively sampled, together with their mothers, to evaluate 3 complementary food samples code named GAD, PEA, SAB and a control KAN. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The samples were formulated from orange fleshed sweet potato, anchovies, onion and tomatoes and the nutrients and functional properties determined. The results showed that the 3 complementary foods were nutrient dense with high moisture content highest in PEA and least in GAD. Although GAD had the least moisture content, it turned out to have the highest ash content. GAD, PEA and SAB were all high in protein and fibre but lower in fat and carbohydrate, GAD had the highest β carotene content and bulk density while SAB had the least for both parameters. The water absorption capacity was higher in PEA, giving it a high swelling power but lowest solubility index. The lower absorption capacity of SAB was coupled with highest solubility index. GAD on the other hand had low swelling power. KAN (control) was the most accepted, followed by GAD, PEA and SAB although it was not significantly different from these 3. Comments received from the evaluation by panellists showed that probably, decreasing the amount of fish powder added and making the texture smooth would make all 3 products liked as much as KAN, the control. It is recommended that the complementary food samples be reformulated so as to increase the carbohydrate content.