Nutritional quality of quality protein maize-based supplementary foods. Issue 1 (13th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maseta, Elina; Mosha, T.C.; Nyaruhucha, Cornelio; Laswai, Henry
• Is Part Of: Nutrition & food science. Volume 47:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2017-02-13
• Subjects: Growth -- Tanzania -- Rehabilitation -- Amino acid profile -- Protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score -- Undernourished children; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1108/NFS-04-2016-0042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-6659

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Child undernutrition is a persistent problem in Africa, especially in areas where the poor largely depend on starchy staples with limited access to diverse diets. The purpose of this study was to determine the protein quality, growth and rehabilitating potential of composite foods made from quality protein maize. Design/methodology/approach: Four composite diets were prepared from quality protein maize, namely quality protein maize-soybeans; quality protein maize-soybeans-cowpeas; quality protein maize-soybeans-common beans and quality protein maize alone. A fifth diet was prepared from common maize alone. The control diet (Chesta®) was made from maize, soybeans, fish, bone and blood meal. The formulations were made to meet the greatest amino acid score and the desired amount of energy and fat according to the FAO/WHO (1985) recommendation for pre-school children. Albino rats were used in evaluating the protein quality of the formulations. Findings: The food intake was significantly different ( p < 0.05) among diets; with a trend of intake decreasing from quality protein maize-based to conventional maize alone diets (apart from the control diet). Protein efficiency ratio and net protein ratio varied significantly ( p < 0.05) across the experimental diets. Protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) was 80 per cent (quality protein maize-soybeans-cowpeas), 87 per cent (quality protein maize-soybeans), 103 per cent (common maize alone), 98 per cent (quality protein maize), 80 per cent (quality protein maize-soybeans-common beans) and 53 per cent (control). Research limitations/implications: Two diets, namely quality protein maize-soybeans-common beans and quality protein maize-soybeans-cowpeas, showed the greatest potential to support growth and rehabilitation of undernourished rats. Human trial is proposed to validate the findings. Originality/value: Despite adoption of quality protein maize in several parts of the country, there are no studies that have been done to determine the potential of quality protein maize to support optimal growth and rehabilitation of undernourished children. The objective of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the protein quality, growth and rehabilitating potential of composite foods made from quality protein maize.