International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition

Authors
Mwanamvua Zuberi, Veenu Sangwan

Abstract
The study aimed to develop low cost, high nutrient and easily digestible weaning foods based on domestically processed bio fortified pearl millet in combination with chickpea and skimmed milk powder. Household processing techniques i.e. malting (germination at 30⁰ for 48hr) and roasting at 200⁰C for 15 minutes were employed to improve the nutrient availability and shelf life of pearl millet. Moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fibre and carbohydrate content in weaning foods ranged from 1.17-2.43, 15.46-18.99, 4.43-6.7, 2.77-3.30, 1.52-2.4 and 68.51-71.98 %, respectively. Malting significantly (P<0.05) increased protein digestibility up to 75.59 % and starch digestibility up to 84.4% while roasting also significantly (P<0.05) increased protein digestibility up to 72.93% and starch digestibility up to 60.2%. Energy contents ranged from 389.63 to 414.02 kcal/100g of meal. The products could cost Rs. 10-12/100g. The pearl millet and legume based weaning mix has colossal potential for augmenting child nutrition status in low income families.