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[Development of a milk beverage based on pumpkin flakes]
Z F Fernandez1, N B Guerra, N M Diniz
1Departamento de Nutrição-Universidade Federal de Pernambuco.
Archivos Latinoamericanos De Nutricion
|November 27, 1998
Summary
A new dehydrated product using pumpkin flakes and milk powder effectively combats vitamin A deficiency in Brazilian children. This innovative food source provides 100% of the recommended vitamin A intake for infants aged 6-12 months.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Food Technology
- Public Health
Context:
- Vitamin A deficiency is a significant public health issue in Northeast Brazil, exacerbated by early childhood weaning practices.
- Developing cost-effective and accessible nutritional interventions is crucial for vulnerable populations.
- Pumpkin is a rich source of beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A.
Purpose:
- To develop a dehydrated, carotene-rich food product to address vitamin A deficiency in infants during the weaning period.
- To evaluate the nutritional composition and safety of pumpkin flakes produced via drum drying.
- To assess the acceptability and nutritional adequacy of a milk-based product fortified with pumpkin flakes.
Summary:
- Pumpkin flakes were produced using drum drying and analyzed for carotenoids, beta-carotene, and microbial content.
- A dehydrated product was formulated with pumpkin flakes, powdered milk, and sugar, meeting FAO/WHO nutritional recommendations for infants (6-12 months).
- The final product, when diluted, supplied 45% of daily caloric, protein, carbohydrate, and lipid needs, and 100% of vitamin A and protein requirements for children.
Impact:
- Provides a targeted, nutrient-dense food intervention to combat vitamin A deficiency in a high-risk population.
- Demonstrates the potential of utilizing locally available resources like pumpkin for nutritional fortification.
- Offers a scalable and acceptable solution to improve infant nutrition and public health outcomes in resource-limited settings.