Profiling Amino and Fatty Acid Composition of Novel Complementary Foods Formulated Locally for Infant Nutrition in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
نویسندگان
1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115 Calabar Nigeria.
2 Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Calabar, Nigeria
3 Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
4 Department of Biochemistry, University of Calabar, Nigeria
5 Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar, Teaching Hospital Calabar, Nigeria
6 Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State.
doi
10.48311/fsct.2026.118629.83016چکیده
The rate of infant malnutrition in Africa is still very high despite the efforts, and finances that have been invested into policy formulations for better infant nutrition. Fatty acids and amino acid are major players in brain development in infants. This study evaluated the amino acid and fatty acid composition of three indigenously formulated complementary diets prepared from locally available ingredients in Calabar, Nigeria. Amino acid analysis was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while fatty acid profiling was determined through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The amino acid results revealed a balanced presence of essential amino acids with blend B as the richest in essential amino acids. Blend C was the only blend that contained phenylalanine in significant amount(8.50mg/100g). It also contained the highest amount of valine (8.06mg/) and tryptophan (3.82mg/100g). and also contained higher amounts of linoleic and α-linolenic acids relative to Blends A and B. However, it may need supplementation with foods that contain methionine and threonine. Blend B contained a rich blend of all amino acids except phenyl alanine. Blend A had the least amino acid composition, and had no presence of eicosatrienoic and docosahexaenoic acids. Blends B and C are recommended for weaning purposes after supplementation with animal protein sources. The study reveals the significance of indigenous formulations in addressing malnutrition and enhancing infant dietary quality through the utilization of nutrient-dense local crops and animal products.
