Teff-Based Complementary Foods Fortified with Soybean and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato

Abstract

The macronutrient composition of teff-based complementary foods (ComFs) prepared through extrusion cooking and a combination of household-level strategies were evaluated. In extrusion, teff, soybean and orange-fleshed sweet potato were separately processed into their respective flours and composited in a percentage ratio of 70:20:10, respectively. It was then extruded into a complementary food (ComF1). In the case of household-level methods, portions of teff grains separately germinated for 24 and 48 h were dried and ground to fine flours. Similarly, small portions of soybean grains were separately blanched and roasted; then each were ground to fine flour. Four ComFs (ComF2, ComF3, ComF4, ComF5) were developed by blending flours of ungerminated teff, germinated teff, blanched or roasted soybean and sweet potato using the 70:20:10 ratio. The extrusion cooked ComF had significantly (p < 0.05) high protein (17.92 g/100 g) while the household-level ComFs had lower protein contents. Energy content of the ComFs ranged from 391.63 to 400.60 kcal/100 g. All ComFs met the requirements of protein and energy for 6 to 8 month-old infants. There was no significant difference in the dietary fiber contents of the developed complementary foods despite increased values of insoluble dietary fiber due to germination of teff and blanching or roasting of soybean. The study revealed the potential of developing complementary foods from teff-soybean-sweet potato blends with improved protein and energy contents.