Formulation and nutritional properties of qualea-bird-meat-based complementary foods for children (6–23 months) in Tanzania using a linear programming technique

Abstract

Background

Long-standing mitigation strategies have been used to address the issue of malnutrition in children, especially undernutrition in developing countries including Tanzania, however, the problem still exists. Development of instant complementary formulae based on readily available local foods using robust mathematical models, to fight malnutrition seems to be one of the best options.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the nutritional content of instant supplemental food formulations based on qualea bird's meat for infants between the ages of 6 and 23 months using a linear programming model.

Basic procedure

Four complementary meal formulations based on bird meat were developed using a linear programming model: control, only bird meat (CtrQM); green banana mixed with bird meat (BanQ); Irish potato mixed with bird meat (PotQ); and rice mixed with the meat (RicQ). The formulations were cooked separately at 98 °C for 45–55 min and extruded to create instant dry products and analyzed using standard methods for proximate composition, minerals, and vitamin A.

Main finding

The proximate composition parameters, minerals and vitamin A contents (in DM) were substantially enhanced and differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the formulations. PotQ had a higher moisture content (8.9 g/100 g), protein (16.7 g/100 g), crude fat (1.8 g/100 g), ash (5.4 g/100 g) and crude fibre (2.9 g/100 g) than lower values in other formulations. Furthermore, calcium was the most abundant mineral (832.5 mg/kg) whereas zinc was the least abundant mineral (38.5 mg/100 g). The variation in mineral contents among formulations was also significant (p < 0.05). Additionally, RicQ had significantly (p < 0.05) highest retinol (26.5 mg/kg) and beta-carotene (4.9 μg/g) while the lowest values were observed in the control sample with values of 3.3 mg/kg and 1.6 μg/g respectively.

Conclusion

In a view of the findings, a linear programming model optimized and enhanced the proximate composition, mineral, and vitamin A qualities of the qualea birds' meat-based instant complementary formulation that seems to meet the RDAs for infants aged 6 to 23 months. Therefore, the application of the model in product formulation to combat malnutrition in the country is highly recommended.