Provitamin A is substantially retained in amahewu after fermentation. The slightly high acceptability of amahewu prepared using provitamin A-biofortified maize compared to that of white maize thus suggests that fermented product like amahewu can potentially be used to deliver provitamin A to vulnerable individuals.
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a major health concern in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Relying on unexploited and regionally available rich sources of proteins such as insects and sorghum might contribute towards addressing PEM among at-risk populations. Insects are high in nutrients, especially protein, and are abundant in SSA. Sorghum is adapted to the tropical areas of SSA and as such it is an appropriate source of energy compared with temperate cereals like wheat. It is necessary to assess whether cookies fortified with sorghum and termite would be suitable for use in addressing PEM in SSA. Whole grain sorghum meal and termite meal were mixed at a 3:1 ratio (w/w sorghum:termite) to form a sorghum–termite meal blend. Composite cookies were prepared where the sorghum–termite blend partially substituted wheat flour at 20%, 40%, and 60% (sorghum–termite blend:wheat flour (w/w). The functional and nutritional qualities of the cookies were assessed. Compared with the control (100% wheat flour), the cookies fortified with sorghum and termite had about double the quantity of protein, minerals, and amino acids. However, with increased substitution level of the sorghum–termite blend, the spread factor of the cookies decreased. There is a potential to incorporate sorghum and termite in cookies for increased intake of several nutrients by communities that are vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies, especially PEM.
Amahewu is a fermented non-alcoholic cereal grain beverage, popular in Southern Africa. This study evaluates the possibility of producing an acceptable provitamin A (PVA)-biofortified maize amahewu, complemented with bambara flour, to contribute towards the alleviation of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Germinated, roasted, and raw bambara flours, were added at 30% (w/w) substitution level, separately, to either white maize or PVA-biofortified maize flour, and processed into amahewu. Wheat bran (5% w/w) was used as reference inoculum. Amahewu samples were analyzed for nutritional properties and acceptability. The protein and lysine contents of amahewu almost doubled with the inclusion of germinated bambara. Protein digestibility of amahewu samples increased by almost 45% with the inclusion of bambara. PVA-biofortified maize amahewu samples complemented with bambara were extremely liked for their color, aroma, and taste when compared with their white maize counterparts. The principal component analysis explained 96% of the variation and PVA-biofortified maize amahewu samples were differentiated from white maize amahewu samples. The taste of amahewu resulting from roasting and germination of bambara was preferred in PVA-biofortified maize amahewu, compared to white maize amahewu. We conclude that PVA-biofortified maize amahewu, complemented with germinated bambara, has the potential to contribute towards the alleviation of PEM and VAD.
Insects are abundant in the predominantly sub-Saharan Africa region and are generally high in protein. Wheat grain contains gluten that is vital for the quality of baked goods but does not grow well in warm regions. Partial substitution of wheat with sorghum and insect in biscuits could contribute to food security among vulnerable populations. This study identified insect types most commonly consumed by the rural Olugboja community living in the rural part of the Ikare-Akoko local government area of Ondo State, Nigeria and consumer acceptance of biscuits supplemented with a sorghum and insect meal. Whole grain sorghum meal and insect meal were blended at a ratio of 3:1 (w/w sorghum: insect). Composite biscuits were made by partially substituting wheat flour with the sorghum–insect meal at 20%, 40%, and 60% (w/w). Wheat biscuit (100%) was used as a control. Regular consumers of biscuits (n = 84) evaluated the acceptability of the biscuit samples using a five-point facial hedonic scale, which was followed by focus group discussions (FGDs) to assess consumer perceptions of the use of insect as a food source. Biscuits containing the sorghum–insect meal (mean = 4.0 ± 0.6) were more acceptable than the control (3.58 ± 0.6). The biscuits supplemented with 20% of the sorghum–insect meal were the most acceptable (mean = 4.23 ± 0.6) compared to those with higher concentrations (40% and 60%). FGDs revealed that the taste of the biscuits was an important motivation for consumers to accept insect as a food source.
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