Nitrogen balance studies on protein-rich food mixtures for preschool children in Egypt

Nitrogen balance measurements were carried out on children aged 5 to 30 months. They were fed diets supplemented by PRFMs or by SMA milk powder as the sole source of dietary protein. Sesamena (or SLW-II) was fed to a group of 8 children, Arabeana to another group of 9 and Supramine to a third group of 8 children. The measurements were reported on the same children when they were given SMA milk powder as a reference protein. Therefore, each subject acted as his own control. The technique used was that of Fomon et al(23) with certain modifications. All three mixtures could maintain the children in positive nitrogen balance. Sesamena gave the best mean NPU value (69 +/- 5.9) which is 96% of reference. Supramine gave the highest mean digestibility (87 +/- 6.8) which is 102% of reference. Sesamena proved to be a suitable weaning food satisfying all the standards of PRFMs recommended by the PAG(14,15). It contains a good quality protein, cheap and can be easily prepared at the family level after appropriate education of mothers. This mixture can be also manufactured at the national level.