Influence of milling processing on mineral and proximate composition of maize products

Abstract

Maize and maize products are major staples consumed worldwide and contain dietary nutrients essential for human nutrition. Processing methods influence the safety and nutritional quality of maize products. This study investigated the effect of different milling processing factors on the mineral and proximate composition of maize products. The study also estimated the contribution of maize products to daily mineral intake. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine the mineral content of samples. Proximate composition was determined using methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. A multiple 24-h dietary recall was used to estimate daily mineral intake of respondents who consume maize products in a cross-sectional study. The results obtained showed that milling methods influenced the mineral and proximate compositions of the maize products. Mineral content in the milled maize samples followed the order P > Mg > Zn > Fe. The wet milling method retained the highest Fe and P contents, whereas the dried milled sample showed an increased Mg content. The estimated daily mineral intakes of participants were below the World Health Organization recommended standard limits. The respondents were at risk of deficiency of the minerals Fe and Mg. Public health education on sufficient dietary intake of these essential minerals should be intensified.