Nutritional Evaluation of Unripe Carica Papaya Unripe Musa Paradisiaca and Mucuna Cochichinensis, Weaning Food Formulation (Published)
Unripe Carica papaya, unripe Musa paradisiaca and Mucuna cochichinensis were processed into flour and formulated into diets MPPA, MPPB, MPPC, MPPD and MPPE used for preparing weaning food. The proximate composition, anti-nutritional factors, biological evaluation through feeding trial alongside a standard diet with nutrend infant formula was determined. Results shows that the formulated weaning diets MPPA, MPPB, MPPC, MPPD and MPPE had protein value of (16.50-20.50%), fat (2.89-4.02%) ash (2.47-2.84%) crude fibre (1.16-1.22%), moisture (9.60-9.80%) and carbohydrate (62.4-66.87%). The formulated diets have more protein than the control nutrend. Anti-nutritional values revealed oxalate (0.21- 0.24%), polyphenol (0.31-0.41%) trypsin inhibitor (27.6-43.8 tu/g), HCN (4.4-4.9mg/Kg), phytate (0.02-0.07%). Values were according to standard recommendation for complementary food. The biological evaluation of the formulated diets were significantly different (P<0.05) than that of the standard. Based on the performance of MPPB on the rats, it is recommended for use in household to prevent and restore normal health in children suffering from kwashiorkor and should be manufactured commercially by Food industries.
Keywords: Carica Papaya, Mucuna Cochichinensis, Musa Paradisiaca, Weaning Food