ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at providing an infant (weaning food) from locally cultivated materials which can be affordable by all classes of people and available all year round to meet the nutritional requirements of infant and young growing children. Soybean, cowpea, white corn and carrot were prepared into flours, Untrendy, a commercially prepared weaning formula from Nestle foods, Nig. Plc. served as the control(diet 100). Twenty albino rats within the weight range of 50-60g were divided into five groups and fed with the different weaning blends for a period of 3 weeks (21 days). After 3 weeks of feeding, the animals were made unconscious, blood samples were collected and some of their organs were weighed. Food intake, body weight gain and organ weights were recorded. Proximate analysis done on the food showed that the highest moisture content was shown in sample 140 (9.79%) and the lowest in sample 100 (8.18%). The highest protein content was shown in sample 140(34.21%) and the lowest in sample 100 (7.69%). Highest crude fibre content was shown in sample 140 (2.74%) and the lowest in sample 100 (1.67%). The highest fat content was also shown in sample 140(14.69%) and the lowest in sample 100(4.53%). Sample 100 had the lowest ash content (1.89%) while the highest was in sample 140. The highest carbohydrate content was shown in sample 100 (75.03%) and the lowest in sample 140 (35.42%). Some vitamins (Vit. A, C, B1, B2and B3) and minerals (K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn) were also checked in the diets. Lipid profile and total protein were determined using standard methods. The highest weight gain was shown in Group E and the lowest in group A( control). Lipid. profile parameters for Group A showed a significant difference when compared with the groups (B, C, D and E). Total protein for Group A also showed a significant difference when compared with group (B,C,D and E). The nutritional evaluation of the tested blends showed that addition of these legumes, cereal and vegetable based weaning food can give 75- 85% of the RDA (recommended dietary allowance) for infants (6-24 months). The present study also recommends the use of this blend that is very nutritious, safe and cheap.