EFFECT OF SPROUTING ON THE FORMULATION OF WEANING DIETS FROM BAMBARA NUT (Vigna. subterranean) AND SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor)

Abstract

Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) accounts for over 50 % mortality among weaning children globally. Fortification and formulation had been used to supply some of the nutritionally deficient nutrients in diets of malnourished children. Sorghum is generally used as weaning foods in developing countries but is deficient in protein while Bambara nut is rich in protein and can provide the nutrients lacking in sorghum. This study focused on the effect of sprouting on formulation of weaning food from sorghum and Bambara nut flour blends. The sorghum and the Bambara nut were sprouted separately for seven days and sprouts of each day were obtained. The sprouts with maximum nutrients and lowest antinutrients were selected for diet formulation. Proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of the sprouts were determined using the AOAC methods and amino acid composition was carried out using amino acid analyser (Model 120 A). The functional properties of the blends were determined using standard analytical methods. Forty (40) Wister strain weaning albino rats of both sexes weighing between 34 – 55 g were randomly distributed into eight (8) groups (A to H) of 5 rats each. The animals were administered formulated diets and water ad libitum for 28days. Group A rats were fed only sorghum (control) and Group B only Bambara, while groups C, D, E and F were fed sorghum supplemented with 5 %, 10 %, 15%, and 20% Bambara nut, respectively. Group G was fed normal rat pellets and H was fed cerelac. The weight of the rats was measured weekly. Haematological parameters were determined using auto-haematological analyzer (Mindray BC-5300). Liver and kidney function tests were carried out using Teco and Agape diagnostic assay kits. Nutrient compositions were highest on day 5 for sorghum and on day 4 for Bambara nut which also coincided with the days when the anti-nutrients were found to be lowest. The group fed on 80 % sorghum + 20 % sprouted Bambara nut had significantly higher (p<0.05) weight (15.28 %) compared to the other groups (15 % supplemented (13 %), 10 % supplemented (11.33 %), 5 % supplementation (6.23 %) 100 % sorghum (3.44 %), 100 % Bambara (5.35 %), rat chow (12.44 %) and ceralac (15.09 %). Haematological analysis showed that all parameters were within normal range. However, PCV, Hb, MCV and MCH were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group fed with cerelac compared to other groups while there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the RBC of the groups fed 20 % Bambara nut supplemented diet and cerelac. The serum enzyme activities (AST, ALT and ALP) determined were higher in rats placed only on sorghum and Bambara nut flours and lowest in the rats placed on cerelac diet but were all within normal range. The renal function indices were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the cerelac group. Based on the nutrient content and growth performance outcome there was no significant difference (p<0.05) between cerelac and the 20 % Bambara nut supplemented diet. Hence, this work suggests that blend of 80 % sprouted sorghum and 20 % sprouted Bambara nut may be good for the formulation of weaning diets.