[Development of a feeding formula from a protein concentrate of chick-pea (Cicer arietinum)]

A medical formula was developed from a chick-pea (Cicer arietinum) protein concentrate obtained by ultrafiltration (67.8% of protein). Additionally sucrose, methionine, milk flavor, and mixtures of corn and coconut oils, vitamins and minerals were used, to perform FAO/WHO standards. All ingredients were blended in water to 50 degrees C, and the mixture was spray-dried with a Spray-drier using inlet and outlet air temperatures of 170 and 90 degrees C respectively. The nutritive value of the formula was evaluated with the Net Protein Ratio (NPR), Nitrogen Utilization (NU) and both relatives values to casein ANRC (R-NPR and R-NU). The proximal analysis of the infant formula was: protein 16.0% (with 4.9 g/16 g N of reactive lysine), fat 25.8%, moisture 4.0%, ash 3.2% and carbohydrates 51.0%. The values of NPR, R-NPR, NU and R-NU were 3.95, 83.6, 3.55 and 82.5 respectively. This results shown the chick-pea protein concentrate, potencially utilizable as an ingredient in the formulas for medical purposes.