International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition

Authors
Bamba Mandoué S, Gbogouri Grodji A

Abstract
The aim of this study is to contribute to fight against child malnutrition in Côte d'Ivoire. For this purpose, a weaning food is formulated. Three local foods tigernut (Cyperus esculentus), white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) cultivated and consumed in northen of Côte d’Ivoire are used. The methodology used included a biochemical analysis of ingredients and the formulation using the matricielle method to generate proportions of ingredients to be mixed to obtain the required nutrient content. Phytochemical analysis of formulated weaning food showed that contents of total phenolics, flavonoïds, tannins, oxalates and phytates are 52.27 mg/100g, 16.25 mg/100g, 8.18 mg/100g, 22.6 mg/100g and 0.07 mg/100g respectively. Biochemical composition showed that contents of moisture, ash, lipids, proteins and total glucides are 5.27%, 3.03%, 15.63%, 12.67% and 63.41% respectively. The comparison with a standard weaning food shows that the contents in nutrients are satisfactory and corresponding to the standard fixed for complementary foods. The ratios Na/K and Ca/P are less than one (0.09) and above one (3.07) respectively. The formulated weaning food has low [oxalate] / [Calcium], [phytate] / [Zinc], [phytate] / [Iron], [phytate] / [Calcium], ratio values. Given its nutritional potential, this formulated weaning food shall be recommended for child's complementary feeding.