COMPARATIVE EVALUTION OF CANDY PRODUCED FROM SESAME COCONUT AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS ENRICHED WITH SUGAR AND DATES TO BOOST THE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENT OF PREGANANT WOMEN

ABSTRACT Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining good health and supporting growth and development, especially during pregnancy. During this period, the body’s nutritional demands increase to support both maternal health and fetal growth. Pregnant women require adequate amounts of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals to ensure proper physiological functioning and to reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). Specifically, the study sought to: produce candy samples from these ingredients, determine their proximate composition, evaluate their sensory properties, and compare their nutritional and sensory qualities. The study adopted a laboratory-based experimental design to produce four candy formulations enriched with sugar and dates. This approach allowed for controlled manipulation of ingredient ratios to observe effects on both nutritional and sensory outcomes under standardized conditions. The sensory evaluation results revealed significant differences among the candy samples. Sample C recorded the highest ratings across all sensory parameters—taste (8.95 ± 0.23), color (8.84 ± 0.37), flavor (8.84 ± 0.37), and general acceptability (9.00 ± 0.00)—indicating it was the most preferred formulation by panelists. Sample A also showed good acceptability (8.26 ± 0.81), while Sample B had the lowest scores in color (4.68 ± 1.83) and overall acceptability (6.84 ± 1.46). Despite variations, all formulations were generally acceptable, with mean scores ranging between 6.84 and 7.91. Based on these findings, the study recommends the further development and possible commercialization of Sample C, given its superior nutritional and sensory attributes. Promoting coconut- and sesame-based candies enriched with dates could help improve the dietary quality of pregnant women by providing energy-dense, nutrient-rich snacks. Additionally, nutritionists and dietitians should raise awareness about the potential of such locally developed functional snacks to enhance maternal nutrition and support food security. Future research should include micronutrient analysis (especially calcium, iron, and zinc) and shelf-life evaluation to strengthen their application in maternal nutrition programs.