FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF COMPLEMENTARY FOOD BASED ON BREADNUT (ARTOCARPUS CAMANSI)

Abstract

Commercial complementary foods are not affordable by all and the nutrients claims on the labels may not
be reliable whereas there are locally grown and available protein rich seed that can improved both nutrient
composition and sensory characteristics of the cereal-based complementary foods. Child malnutrition, due
to poor quality of complementary foods, is a major cause of mortality among infants and children in many
sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria inclusive. The study formulated and evaluated complementary foods made from
composites of breadnut, sorghum, soybeans and crayfish. Breadnuts (Artocarpus camansi) were harvested
from a local farm in Elile Village, Eastern Obolo LGA Akwa, Ibom State, Nigeria. Sorghum and soybean
were purchased from Urua Akpan Ndem Market in Uyo Metttropolis, Akwa Ibom State and crayfish was
purchased at Lagos fishing pot in Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom State. Breadnut and sorghum were
combined in the ratio of 50:50 (B1SSC), 70:30 (B2SSC), and 80:20 (B3SSC) while soybeans and crayfish
were 20:10 at constant rate in the formulated foods, 100 % cerelae (B4IF) were used as control. Proximate
composition of the complementary foods was determined while sensory evaluation was done to determine
their organoleptic quality and acceptability. The sensory attributes and nutrients were high and were
generally acceptable, had no significant P>0.05 with B4IF (cerelae). Hence, it could be recommended as a
more adequate complementary food than cerelac. Breadnut should be used when fortifying complementary
food made from sorghum and can be use as alternative for cerelac to improve the nutritional health of
infants.