Evaluation of Nutritional, Microbial and Sensory Properties of Complementary Food Developed from Kocho, Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas L.) and Haricot Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) for Under Five Years Children in Boricha Woreda, South Ethiopia

In sub-Saharan African specifically in Ethiopia malnutrition is a great challenge. Protein energy malnutrition, in children associated with poor nutritional knowledge resulting in early weaning, delayed introduction of complimentary foods, low protein diet and sever or frequent infection. In Ethiopia the intake of vitamin A is inadequate, especially provision of the vitamin through dietary improvement, food fortification, and supplementation is less. The consumption of vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables and foods made from roots and tubers about 24-25 %. Boricha Woreda was selected because of its potential for growing kocho, haricot beans, orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) and the exposure to food insecurity with a high number of malnourished children. The purpose of this study was to assess nutritional, microbial and sensory properties of complementary food developed from Kocho, orange fleshed sweet potato and haricot beans for under five years children. Porridge was developed with different proportion of kocho to haricot bean flour: 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 100:0 (control) and constant amount of OFSP (15%). The proximate composition analyses of porridge were done by AOAC 2000. The beta carotene/Vitamin A was determined by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The total mold and yeast counts and total plate count for the safety were carried out by using the standard procedure for examining of microbial load on the food products. Sensory acceptability of the porridge was evaluated with 30 panelists comprising of mother-children in pair using 5 point hedonic scale. The result of the study showed that the proximate composition (moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, and total ash) fulfills the minimum recommended daily allowance (RDA) for children aged between 6-23months. OFSP incorporated porridge were rich in Vitamin A content, and full fills 65.14% daily RSI (RDA) of vitamin A. The microbial analyses of the developed porridge were within the microbiologically accepted limit. All porridge were accepted and liked by the consumers. Thus, based on the finding of this study it was suggested that mothers/caregivers should feed their children haricot bean and OFSP incorporated porridge. Keywords: Children, protein-energy malnutrition, VA deficiency. DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/85-01 Publication date:March 31st 201