MINERAL PROFILE OF INFANT-FED COMPOSITE COMPLEMENTARY FOOD PREPARED FROM MIAZE (ZEA MAYS), SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX) AND MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES

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ABSTRACT

This study developed  and evaluated infant – feed composite complementary  food  made from locally available foods which was fed to infants 6-12 months of age. Dried Moringa oleifera leaf was the fortificant. Yellow maize grains were fermented for 48h and oven – dried. Soybean seeds were boiled for 1h, dehulled and oven-dried. Moringa oleifera leaves were  shade-dried.  All  the  food  materials  were  milled  into  fine  flours. The  proximate, energy,  mineral  and  β-carotene  contents  of  the  flours  were  determined  using  standard methods. The flours were used to develop 2 blends in ratios of 60:40 (control) and 60:30:10 (test) maize + soybean and maize + soybean + Moringa oleifera leaves respectively. The analysis of the blends were done using standard techniques at 5% confidence level. The blends  provided  10%  protein.  The  blends  were  used  to  prepare  gruels  whose  sensory evaluation was conducted using 30 mothers. The gruels were fed to 2 groups of infants in the Holy Child Motherless  Babies  Home in Enugu for 12 weeks. Protein  (15. 15% vs

11.36.2%) and carbohydrate (47.15% vs 55.73%) of the blends differed.   Ash (3.43% vs

3.08%), fat (30.64% vs 27.2%), crude fiber (3.63% vs 2.74%) and energy (1877 KJ  vs

1827KJ) of both blends were comparable. The Iron (8.32mg vs 6.82mg) and zinc contents (4.09mg vs 4.84mg) of the blends were similar. β-carotene (358.15 RE vs 521.28 RE) and calcium (14.6mg vs 829.28mg) of the test blend were higher  than that of control blend. The blends had comparable flavor (8.03 vs 7.57) and texture (7.74 vs 7.37).  Both blends were accepted well equally (7.97 vs 7.89), however, they differed in colour (8.10 vs 7.10). The body weight of the subjects increased significantly  (9.34%) after feeding the test blend. There were slight increases in length (3.69%  &  3.66%), head circumference  (0.04% & 2.86%) and chest circumference (3661% & 2.81%) after feeding control and test  blends, respectively. Serum zinc increased significantly (72.75ųg / 100ml to 148.80ųg / 100ml) in the control group. Haemoglobin (Hb) was higher (12.34% vs 8.96%) in the group fed test blend.   Unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) increased  much more (25.91%  &   32.55%)  in the subjects  fed  control blend. Moringa oliefera  fortification  of  the  infant  complementary  food  improved  the  nutrient  quality. Shade-dried  Moringa  oleifera  leaves  had good  nutrient profile  and acceptance  in food. Incorporation of pulverized Moringe oleifera leaves in infants’ food could diversity food intake and  reduce some micronutrient deficiency diseases.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background of the study

The  causes  of  malnutrition   are  many  and  complex.   Inappropriate   breastfeeding   and complementary feeding practices coupled with high rates of infectious diseases are the major immediate cause of malnutrition during the first two years of life. Reports show that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is still very low in Nigeria- between 15% and 17%. Children  who are not breastfed have repeated infections,  experience  poor growth and are almost six times more likely to die by the age of one month than children who receive at least some breast milk. From six months onwards, when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet   all   nutritional   requirements,   infants   enter   a   particularly   vulnerable   period   of complementary feeding. They make a gradual transition to eating family foods. The incidence of malnutrition rises  sharply between this age and 18 months in most countries (UNICEF,

1998;  Dewey,  2003;  WHO,  2003).  The  deficits  acquired  at  this  age  are  difficult  to compensate for later in childhood. Infants therefore, need nutritionally adequate energy-dense complementary foods in addition to breast milk (NFCNS, 2003; WHO, 2003).

Unfortunately,  complementary  feeding  begins  too  early  or too  late,  and  foods  are  often nutritionally inadequate and unsafe (WHO, 2002). This results to protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and micronutrient deficiency (hidden hunger). NFCNS reported very high levels of iron  deficiency  anemia  among  infants.  Poor  absorption  of  iron,  parasitic  infestation  and disease are equally contributory factors. Often, the traditionally complementary foods consist mainly of porridges made from un-supplemented cereals and starchy food such as sorghum, maize and millet  (WHO,  1998). The foods are  mostly inadequate  in energy,  protein  and micronutrients (ACC/SCN, 2000; Jarkata, 2005).

To this effect, the formulation  and development  of nutritious  complementary  foods  from local and readily available foods had received considerable attention in Nigeria (Nnam, 1994; Ifudu & Obizoba, 1989; Obizoba, 1989; Nnam, 1998; Nnam, 2001; Nnam, 2000; Ibeanu & Obizoba, 2004; Nnam, 2002).

Staple  foods  such  as maize,  soybean  and  iron-rich  green  leafy  vegetables  e.g.  Moringa oleifera  (“drum  stick”  or  “Okwe  Oyibo”)  could  be  good  for  the  development  of  good complementary food. The thrust of this study is to develop and determine the nutrient value, and acceptability  of maize-based complementary  food  fortified with Moringa oleifera and access its quality in infants.

1.2      Statement of the problem

Micronutrient  deficiencies  have been recognized as an important contributor  to the  global burden of disease. Iodine deficiency in pregnancy has long been linked to intra-uterine brain damage and possible fetal wastage.   This has led to effective programs for making iodized salt available  in iodine-deficient  areas  (Black,  2003).  Iodine  deficiency  disease  has been improved.

Iron deficiency also affects about two billion people.  However, interventions to control iron deficiency have been less successful.   Recent estimates finds that iron deficiency anemia is responsible for a fifth of early neonatal mortality and a tenth of maternal  mortality.   Iron deficiency also reduces cognitive development and work performance.  Iron deficiency is the attributable cause of about 800,000 deaths and 2.4% , of the global burden of disease (Black,

2003).

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) harms the eyes and increase childhood and material mortality. Globally, 21% of children have vitamin A deficiency and suffer increased  rates of deaths from  diarrhea,  measles,  and  malaria.  About  800,000  deaths  in  children  and  women  of reproductive age ate attributable to VAD which accounts for 1.8% of the global burden of disease.    This  appears  to  be  lower  than  previous  estimates  possibly  due  to  vitamin  A supplementation or food fortification programs during the last decade.

The importance of zinc deficiency is being increasingly recognized.  Trials have shown that zinc supplementation results in improved growth in children, lower rates of diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia, and reduced child mortality.  In total, about 800,000 child deaths per year are attributable to zinc deficiency.   Zinc deficiency is responsible for 1.9% of global burden of disease.

According to WHO, 19% of the 10.8 million child deaths globally a year are attributable to iodine,  iron,  vitamin  A,  and  zinc  deficiencies.    In  Nigeria,  UNICEF  (2001)  recorded malnutrition  as the major  causes  of health  problem  of infants  and young  children.   The problem is more common amongst children 6months to 24 months of age which coincides with the period of complementary feeding.  This problem is attributed to the introduction of poor complementary  foods which are inadequate in  protein, energy and micronutrients.  In effect, vitamin A deficiency among these  children is higher than 16% in some regions in Nigeria  (Profile,  2001),  and  anemia  as high  as 50%,  43.1%  suffered  PEM.  And  22.3% suffered from moderate and severe malnutrition.  Though PEM is addressed, there is still gap in micronutrient deficient problems.

To address these nutritional problems, nutritious complementary foods could be formulated from  locally  available  foods  and fortified  with micronutrient  dense  food  material.    This research therefore explored the nutritional quality of infant composite  complementary food prepare from maize, soybean and Moringa oleifera

1.3      Objectives of the study

The general objective of the study was to prepare infant-fed composite complementary food from  locally  available  foods  –maize  (Zea  mays),  soybean  (Gylycine  max)  and  Moringa oleifera leaves- and evaluate the nutritional quality of the products. The specific objectives of the study were to:

a.         develop infant complementary food from yellow maize (Zea mays), soybean (Glycine max) and green leafy vegetables (Moringa oleifera).

b.        determine the nutrient composition of the complementary food. c.         determine the acceptability of the food.

d.        determine the nutritional quality of the infant complementary food in children.

1.4      Significance of the study

The result of this study would:

1.        provide  a quality local infant complementary  food for infants aged 6 months  and above.

2.        further  provide  baseline  information  for  Dietitians  and  Nutritionists,  public  and community  health workers on how to fight malnutrition  among infants and  young children in Nigeria.

3.        increase food diversity.

4.        create room for more researches.

5.        create job opportunities for people who will embark on planting and processing of Moringa oleifera.

6.        improve the country’s  economy through individuals and groups.

7.        create room for and encourage nutrition education. 8.        project  Moringa oleifera as a possible home – gardening solution to malnutrition in the third world.



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MINERAL PROFILE OF INFANT-FED COMPOSITE COMPLEMENTARY FOOD PREPARED FROM MIAZE (ZEA MAYS), SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX) AND MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES

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