STUDENT RESEARCH

Summary: This research work aimed to; (a) develop a cereal-legume complementary food blend formulation, fortified with Moringa Oleifera leaf powder (MLP) for use as complementary foods for infants aged 6 -12 months and test the effect of feeding MLP -fortified complementary food on haemoglobin levels and growth of infants and young children after 4 months of feeding. Four MLP-fortified cereal legume blends were developed by substituting some of the ingredients of the traditional cereal legume blend Weanimix with MLP. The nutritional content of the formulated products was determined and their sensory profiles were evaluated. Based on the results of the nutritional content and sensory analyses, one product was selected for use in an acceptability trial (fed to infants either as part of a cereal-legume complementary food blend (MCL-35g), or by sprinkling as a food supplement (MS-5g) on infant’s usual foods). The trial consisted of an initial tasting session after which mothers were asked to feed the assigned foods to their infants for 14 days at home under real life conditions. Primary outcome was the proportion of test porridge consumed.

On the tasting day, MCL-35g infants consumed an average of 64.3% + 25.0 of the test porridge offered, while MS-5g infants consumed an average of 66.4% +29.1. During the 14-day period, median percent daily consumption for MCL-35g was 71.5% of the daily recommended intake whilst median percent daily consumption for MS-5g was 86.2%. A randomised controlled trial was conducted to test the effect of feeding complementary foods that incorporate MLP on haemoglobin and growth of Ghanaian infants. Infants aged 8-12 months were assigned to receive one of 3 study food (MCL -35g; MS-5g; Weanimix CF-35g) for 4 months. Data on anthropometry, dietary intake and haemoglobin concentration, were collected at baseline and endline. Morbidity data was collected every other week, at the time when study foods were delivered.

Data analysis was by SPSS (version 20) and comparisons were done by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Paired t-test was used to test for within group differences in haemoglobin concentration. Feeding infants a 5g daily dose of MLP, either as part of a cereal-legume blend (MCL-35g) or as a supplement (MS-5g) which was sprinkled on infants’ usual complementary foods for 4 months, did not significantly improve infants’ haemoglobin concentration or growth indicators, when compared to infants who did not receive any MLP in their complementary foods. The findings of the study further suggest that the cereal-legume blend Weanimix, may be a nutritionally adequate complementary food for infants in the study population.

Further studies on acceptability and bioavailability of micronutrients in complementary foods that incorporate MLP are needed. Robust efficacy trials which will last for longer periods and include children of varying age ranges are needed to ascertain the efficacy of MLP in improving nutritional outcomes of infants and young children as well as ascertain which age groups of children will benefit most from MLP supplemented complementary foods.

Laurene Boateng | Doctoral, University of Ghana, Legon