Formulation and Nutritional Composition of a Complementary Food Based on Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato, Corn, Sesame and Spinach

Inappropriate complementary feeding is a major cause of child malnutrition in many developing countries. An attempt was made to produce maize and orange-fleshed sweet potato based complementary food with high-energy-density and high minerals and vitamins. The methodology of mixture design was used in determining the optimal proportion of ingredients to mix in order to have a balanced food containing maize, orange-fleshed sweet potato, sesame seeds, spinach leaves, and baobab pulp. Nutritional composition of formulated complementary flour was asses by standard analytical methods and the values obtained were compared with standard sets. Results indicate that the maize and Orange-fleshed sweet potato based complementary flours can be successfully used to produce weaning flour with adequate nutrients density using Mixture design. The maize and orange-fleshed sweet potato based complementary food can be used in managing protein energetic malnutrition since it can cover the energy and macronutrients needs of children aged between 6 to 24 months. Taking into consideration their contribution in meeting the micronutrients daily intake suggested references, the consumption of maize and orange-fleshed sweet potato-based formulation will allow better absorption of mineral like iron and zinc since the bioavailability is high in this matrix. The formulated flour is therefore of good nutritional quality to be used in managing protein-energy malnutrition and an excellent vehicle for combating micronutrient deficiencies.