EVALUATION OF THE MINERAL CONTENT, ANTI-NUTRITIONAL FACTORS AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF THE COMPLEMENTARY FOOD PRODUCED FROM SOME FOOD USING RICE, CARROT, AND SOYBEANS FLOUR FOR INFANTS

ABSTRACT Complementary feeding is defined as the process starting when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants, and therefore other foods and liquids are needed, along with breast milk (WHO, 2018). The study was embarked on, to evaluate the mineral content, anti-nutritional factors and functional properties of the complementary food produced using Rice, Carrot and soybeans flour. The food samples were prepared and processed to evaluate the mineral contents. The locally available foods formulated in the right proportions can provide nutrients needed by infants at low cost. The formulated complementary food was discovered to be high in macro and micro minerals needed by infants for proper growth and development. The range of value of the Calcium content was between (36.13±0.06) mg and (103.62±0.02) mg with Sample 1 having the highest calcium content and Sample 5 had the least calcium content .The range of value of the Magnesium content was between (76.70±0.04) mg and (133.77±0.34) mg with Sample 4 having the highest magnesium content and Sample 5had the least Magnesium content. The range of value of the Sodium content was between (110.52±0.04) and (131.06±0.33) mg with Sample 4 having the highest Sodium content and the Sample 5 had the least Sodium content. The range of value of the Iron content was between (9.33±0.06) and (11.52±0.11) mg with Sample 5 having the highest Iron content and Sample 2had the least Iron content. The range of value of the Zinc content was between (4.32±0.08) mg and (5.06.±0.00) mg with Sample 5 having the highest Zinc content and Sample 1 had the least Zinc content. The minerals are also generally higher in the samples than that of the control sample except for zinc and iron. The minerals are also generally higher in the samples than that of the control sample except for zinc and iron.Nevertheless, it is still suitable for adoption as a complementary food. The functional properties are also suitable for an ideal complementary food. The anti-nutrients in the food were discovered to be in the safe levels thereby lowering the risk of toxicity. The formulations can be used as complementary food in place of traditional complementary foods that are usually thin and less nutrient dense, this would in turn help to combat the issue of under nutrition in children