FORMULATION AND COMPARATIVE NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF WEANING MEAL BLEND OF SOYBEAN, UNRIPE PLANTAIN AND SWEET POTATOES WITH SELECTED COMMERCIAL INFANT FOOD

Abstract

This research was carried out to produce and assess the nutritional composition of weaning meal obtained from unripe plantain, soybean and sweet potatoes blend. The samples used for this research were purchased from eke market Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Standard analytical methods were used for the proximate, mineral and vitamin analysis of the produced weaning meal. Results obtained from the study for the proximate composition was recorded as moisture content 6%, ash content 5%, crude fibre 5%, fat and oil 12%, crude protein 24% and carbohydrate 32.9%. the mineral analysis was recorded in (mg/100g), whereas is iron 3.00, Potassium 58.00, phosphorus 2.10, magnesium, 38.90 and calcium 42.60. Whereas the result for vitamin were analyzed in (mg/100g) were vitamin A 76.95, vitamin C 30.00, vitamin D 13.77, vitamin E 27.88 and vitamin K 0.33. The commercial weaning meal had Ash 1.5%, fibre 2.2%, fat 5%, protein 7.5% and carbohydrate 32.5%. It also had in mg/100g iron 5.0, pottasium 47.5, phosphorus 5.2, calcium 51.3. it also contains in mg/100g vitamin A (70.3) , vitamin C (32.5) , vitamin D (15.2) and Vitamin E (3.4). The study reveals that blended weaning meal compared favourably with the commercially available cereals in terms the the nutritional qualities, vitamins and minerals. Formulated blend of weaning meal can help to combat protein-energy malnutrition.