Effect of blending ratio of wheat, orange fleshed sweet potato and haricot bean flour on proximate compositions, β-carotene, physicochemical properties and sensory acceptability of biscuits’

Background:  Protein-energy malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency (VAD) are the most important public health issues, and a food-based strategy is crucial to combat those health problems among the vulnerable group of people. Methods:  Composite biscuits were made with 100:0:0, 90:5:5, 80:10:10, 70:15:15, 60:20:20, and 50:25:25 percent wheat, haricot bean, and orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) flours.Standard methods were used to evaluate the proximate compositions, β-carotene, physical properties, functional properties, and sensory acceptability. A one-way analysis of variance model was used to statistically evaluate the data using the statistical analysis system software package, version 9.0 standard methods. Results:  The results showed that partially replacing wheat with haricot beans and OFSP increased the β-carotene and proximate compositions significantly. When wheat was replaced with haricot beans and OFSP, the physical characteristics of the biscuits did not vary significantly from those of biscuits made entirely of wheat flour. Sensory acceptability (appearance, color, flavor, taste and overall acceptability) was higher in the composite biscuits with up to 40% wheat substitution than in the 100% wheat flour biscuits. Conclusion:  Based on the findings of this report, replacing wheat with OFSP and haricot beans in biscuit formulation appears to be promising in improving nutritional quality, sensory acceptability, and beta carotene. It is proposed that these products can mitigate food insecurity and deficiency of vitamin A.