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Some simple methods of home processing and their implication with weaning foods
W A Moussa1, M D Tadros, K G Mekhael
1Nutrition Institute, Cairo, Egypt.
Die Nahrung
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Germination of cereal and legume ingredients significantly improves nutritional quality and digestibility of homemade weaning foods, offering a practical solution to protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in low-income populations.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Nutrition Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is a significant concern in low-income groups.
- Cereal-legume based weaning foods are cost-effective but often limited by bulk and nutrient density.
- Home processing methods are crucial for enhancing the nutritional value of these foods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate simple home processing techniques for improving the nutritional quality of cereal-legume weaning foods.
- To assess the chemical and biological impact of germination and chapati processing on weaning food formulations.
- To identify optimal processing methods for increasing nutrient density and bioavailability.
Main Methods:
- Wheat and lentil ingredients were subjected to germination and a special chapati processing method.
- Processed weaning food formulas were chemically analyzed for protein, fat, carbohydrate, and mineral content.
- Biological evaluation was performed using Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and Net Protein Utilization (NPU) assays.
Main Results:
- Germination of wheat increased protein and fat content while reducing carbohydrates.
- The chapati process resulted in higher mineral content compared to germination.
- Germination yielded significantly higher PER (2.02) and NPU (81.0) than the chapati process (1.70 and 40.0).
Conclusions:
- Germination is an effective home processing technique for enhancing the nutritional quality of vegetable-based weaning food ingredients.
- This method offers a practical approach to combatting PEM by improving nutrient density and digestibility.
- Further research is recommended to fully optimize germination techniques for weaning foods.
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