Fermented Gluten-Free Multi-Grain Cereal Paste Development: The Role of the Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) as a Dietary Supplement

• Published in: Nutrition and metabolic insights Vol. 16; p. 11786388231155007
• Main Authors: Olaniran, Abiola Folakemi, Okonkwo, Clinton Emeka, Iranloye, Yetunde Mary, Morakinyo, Olajumoke Olubunmi, Taiwo, Abiola Ezekiel, Erinle, Oluwakemi Christianah, Bamidele, Oluwaseun Peter, Ojo, Oluwafemi Adeleke, Malomo, Adekunbi Adetola, Osemwegie, Omorefosa Osarenkhoe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2023; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Original Research; Potatoes; Vitamin A; Vitamin A; storage stability; Orange fleshed sweet potato; fortificant; fermented paste; complementary food
• ISSN: 1178-6388; 1178-6388
• DOI: 10.1177/11786388231155007

Vitamin A deficiencies is a becoming persistent among young children and a growing concern to parents in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in crisis-affected areas. Fermented cereal paste from maize, millets, and sorghum grains are significant food for young children. Thus, the study focuses on food fortification using orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) as fortifier as studies have confirmed the presence of nutrients that can help meet the Vitamin A dietary requirement. The cereals were soaked ambient temperature (27 ± 1°C) for 72 hours and were blended with OFSP (90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50), and the formulated products were studied for Vitamin A, β-carotene, proximate composition, physicochemical, functional properties, and storage. Application of OFSP as forticant increased the Vitamin A (4.98-6.65 mg/100 g), β-carotene (0.10-0.17 mg/100 g) and the calorific value (222.03-301.75 kcal) of the gluten-free multi-grain cereal paste. The addition of OFSP also increased the ash content (1.41%-3.35%), crude fiber (2.56%-4.225%), carbohydrate (39.83%-48.35%), total solid content (55.20%-60.87%), and water absorption capacity (112.20%-137.49%) of the formulated cereal samples. The fortified fermented paste was objectively stable throughout on the shelf from the storage studies. The study deduced that addition of orange-fleshed sweet potato to fermented mixed cereal paste as a fortifier can help increase the nutritional quality of the complementary food.