Nutritional value for young children of grain amaranth and maize-amaranth mixtures: effect of processing

Amaranthus caudatus L. toasted flour, popped grain and flakes were each fed to nine young children as the source of all diet protein and fat and 50% of diet energy, preceded and followed by casein control diets. All provided 6.4-6.7% of energy as protein and 9.3-10.1% as fat. Balances were carried out during the last 6 d of the three 9-d amaranth periods and during the four control periods. Fecal wet and dry weights during amaranth diets were 129-157% of those during casein control diets; fecal energy, fat and carbohydrate from the toasted flour periods were 193, 268 and 256%; from the popped grain 253, 586 and 195%; and from the flakes 225, 356 and 255% of those during casein diets. Apparent N absorptions were 84.1-84.6% of the casein values (P less than 0.001); apparent retentions from toasted, popped and flaked amaranth were 70.9, 65.9 and 59.0% of casein (P less than 0.001). The last of these was significantly lower than the first (P less than 0.05). Fecal fat was much higher (P less than 0.001) from the popped than from the flaked grain and the toasted flour. Toasted flour was then added to maize meal so that amaranth provided 20 or 30% of the protein. Seven young children received diets in which 6.4% of total energy came from one of the above mixes, or from casein, as protein. Soya-cottonseed oils completed 25% lipid energy in all three diets; balance of energy was from sucrose in the experimental diets and from sucrose, corn syrup solids and cornstarch in the casein diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)