Micronutrient deficiencies are known to affect many people worldwide. Among the factors contributing to this situation, the poor bioavailability of foods micronutrients is key. This review aims at highlighting the factors affecting minerals bioavailability and their assessment methods. The numeric approach was used during data collection. The results show that the bioavailability of minerals is key to assess the amount that is released for body metabolism. Different factors including inhibitors and promoters affect their bioavailability. There are different methods to assess the digestibility of minerals, which generally involve oral, gastric, and intestinal phases.
Nutritious complementary feeding is often not affordable in Benin, and iron deficiency exists. This research aimed at formulating an affordable and sensory acceptable complementary food supplement using local food ingredients to increase iron intake among children aged 6–59 months in Benin. The complementary food supplement was formulated to ensure that 10 g would cover 25% of the estimated average requirements for iron for children aged 6 to 12 months. Adansonia digitata fruit pulp, Moringa oleifera leaf powder, and Cochlospermum tinctorium root powder were used to compose the complementary food supplement, which was mixed with maize and sorghum ogi porridges before being presented to the mothers and children for the acceptability test. The mineral contents of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp in mg/100 g dw were 9.9 ± 0.1 for iron and 0.9 ± 0.1 for zinc. The iron and zinc contents of Moringa oleifera leaf powder and Cochlospermum tinctorium root powder in mg/100 g dw were 34.1 ± 2.2 and 26.8 ± 2.7 and 9 ± 0.0 and 0.9 ± 0.0, respectively. The complementary food supplement contained, in mg/100 g dw, 17.4 ± 1.1 of iron and 1.2 ± 0.1 of zinc. The maize and sorghum ogi porridges enriched with the complementary food supplement at substitution rates of 15% and 16% (in dry weight), respectively, were acceptable to 85% of children for sorghum ogi porridge and 87% for maize ogi porridge. The present study demonstrated the potential of local food ingredients in the formulation of an iron‐rich and acceptable complementary food supplement for children aged 6–59 months in Benin.
Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum, Harms) is a legume crop with nutritional potential in West Africa where it is widely consumed due to its palatability. The present study investigated the physical characteristics, nutritional composition, and organoleptic properties of five Kersting’s groundnut accessions selected based on their yield performance, stability, and seed color. Physical characteristics (seed size, length, and thickness) were determined using a Vernier Caliper while a laboratory weighing scale was used to determine 100-seed weight. Protein and fat contents were analyzed using micro-Kjeldahl and Soxhlet systems, respectively. Dietary fiber content was determined using the AOAC method while carbohydrate content was determined using the method of difference. Amino acids were hydrolyzed and determined using the liquid chromatography method. Ten trained panelists participated in testing the cookability of the samples while 30 untrained panelists were involved in the acceptability test. Results showed that accessions ranged between 8.1 ± 0.1 and 9.3 ± 0.2 mm for seed length, 5.7 ± 0.4 and 6.0 ± 0.2 mm for the width, and 4.0 ± 0.0 and 4.9 ± 0.4 mm for thickness. The 100-seed weight ranged from 11.7 ± 0.8 to 16.7 ± 1.6 g. Protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents ranged from 20.5 ± 0.2 to 22.0 ± 0.2, 1.2 ± 0.0 to 2.3 ± 0.0, and 56.5 ± 0.0 to 59.4 ± 0.1 (g/100 g dw), respectively. The lowest and highest cooking times were 78 and 124 minutes, respectively. All accessions recorded good sensory acceptability (>50%) except the accession BUR 16 which was liked only by 23.3%. Overall, accession OUA had the highest protein, medium cooking time, and highest overall acceptability score (>70%), hence recommended for wide production. Future studies need to be performed on the antinutritional content of this accession and to find out the effect of cooking on the nutritional value of derived meals and starch modification.
Cochlospermum spp. root powder is widely used by local populations in Sudanian zone of Benin as food ingredient. This study aims at documenting the mineral profile of Cochlospermum spp. root powder and the consumption frequencies of foods enriched with this species in the three phytodistricts of Sudanian zone of Benin. A consumption frequency survey was conducted among 449 women of reproductive age and their children (n = 406) aged 6 to 59 months. Processing follow‐up was performed among twelve (12) selected processors per phytodistict and samples were collected for minerals (Ca, Mg, Na, P, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) analysis. Results showed that most (>75%) women and their children consumed foods enriched with Cochlospermum spp. root powder at least two times per day. The mineral contents (expect Ca and P) of Cochlospermum spp. root powder do not vary significantly according to phytodistricts. High mineral content was obtained for iron (54.1 ± 21.5 mg/100 g dry weight) and calcium (573.7 ± 98 and 802.5 ± 49.9 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively in Atacora Chain and Northern Borgou phytodistricts). Cochlospermum spp. root powder could be used to alleviate iron and calcium deficiencies among populations. Further studies should focus on the bioavailability of minerals and anti‐nutrients content of this plant food.
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