The effects of a hydrothermal treatment consisting of tempering (to 41% moisture) and heating to 153 • C (micronisation) on the structural and physicochemical characteristics of two cowpea varieties were studied. The untreated varieties had similar cooking times, although cooked Bechuana white cowpeas were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) softer and had a higher incidence of splitting than Var. 462 cowpeas. This may be due in part to differences in cotyledon structure affecting water uptake during cooking. The hydrothermal treatment changed the physical structure and chemical properties of the cowpea seeds. This led to significant (P ≤ 0.05) reductions in the cooking time of micronised Bechuana white and Var. 462 cowpeas, by 47 and 36% respectively, as compared with control samples. Micronisation caused physical fissuring of the seed coat and cotyledon and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the bulk density of treated seeds. These changes in the physical structure significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved the initial water uptake during soaking and cooking, increased the enzyme-susceptible starch and reduced the protein solubility and hydration capacity of the cowpea seeds. Cooked (60 min) micronised cowpeas also had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) more splits and a significantly (P ≤ 0.05) softer texture than control samples.
ObjectiveThe present study examined the impacts of training on nutrition, hygiene and food
safety designed by the Nutrition Working Group, Child Survival Collaborations and
Resources Group (CORE).DesignAdapted from the 21d Positive Deviance/Hearth model, mothers were trained on the
subjects of appropriate complementary feeding, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
practices, and aflatoxin contamination in food. To assess the impacts on child
undernutrition, a randomised controlled trial was implemented on a sample of 179 mothers
and their children (<2 years old) in two districts of Malawi, namely Mzimba and
Balaka.SettingsA 21d intensive learning-by-doing process using the positive deviance approach.SubjectsMalawian children and mothers.ResultsDifference-in-difference panel regression analysis revealed that the impacts of the
comprehensive training were positive and statistically significant on the
Z-scores for wasting and underweight, where the effects increased
constantly over time within the 21d time frame. As for stunting, the coefficients were
not statistically significant during the 21d programme, although the level of
significance started increasing in 2 weeks, indicating that stunting should also be
alleviated in a slightly longer time horizon.ConclusionsThe study clearly suggests that comprehensive training immediately guides mothers into
improved dietary and hygiene practices, and that improved practices take immediate and
progressive effects in ameliorating children’s undernutrition.
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