Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Plant Research
Session: 3
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Britany Font - Egerton University of Kenya
Co-Author(s): Paul Kimurto, Jaya Manyasi Tracyline, Cyprian Syeunda, Anne Osano, Lilian Jeptanui, and Joshua Ogendo
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is an important African crop that plays critical role in food and nutritional security. The crop has nutritional benefits and its ability to grow and develop in places with high drought, and where the nutritional resources are few. The main objective of this study was to prepare baby food formulas using finger millets and pigeon peas as protein source and analyze their nutritional profiles. Two finger millets varieties (Snapping Green and U-15) and pigeon peas were used. The millets were grown in Koibatek (lower altitude) and Bomet (medium altitude) to determine effect of environment on nutrient profiles. After analysis, the best finger millet variety was selected for use in formulation baby food through malting for 24, 48 and 72 hrs. The findings of the study showed that snapping green had better nutrient profiles (12.13% protein and is high in Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and P) than U-15 (11.60% protein and a lower Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and P) and hence selected for use in the malting process as best variety. Pigeon peas had highest protein value (21%) hence it was used to improve nutrient content when blended with finger millets. The samples malted for 72 hours represent a reduction in the concentration of tannins from 0.091 to 0.03 and the amount of Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn doubled and in fact the protein profile increased by 8.31%. The appropriate ratio for the formulation of the baby food was 70:30. The finger millet:pigeon peas compost between presented an increase in protein by 18.5%. Snapping Green Early proved to be the best source of protein compared to type U-15. It is also confirmed that when making a compost with an extra source of protein, the nutritional value can be increased in the formulation of baby formula. There was no effect on environment on nutrient profiles of analyzed millets. The study showed that there is potential in formulating baby foods using different African legumes for improved infant malnutrition which is rampant in Africa.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Dr. Anne Osano presented my thanks for giving me the opportunity to be part of your first research project for undergraduate students. Professor Kimurto thanks for the support during two months of intensive research in your country. The opportunity to investigate in real time is a lifetime experience. Cyprian Syeunda thanks for your excellent work as a mentor. Your dedication and effort are the qualities that make you such a successful person. This research was successful thanks to all the people who took part throughout the summer. I am very grateful to NSF for being part of the sponsors of this research experience with Egerton University in Kenya, Bowie State University in Maryland and the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico.
Faculty Advisor: Professor. Kimurto, pkimurto@egerton.ac.ke
Role: I performed all parts of this investigation. Literature search, proposal development, field visits, data collection, data analysis and manuscript development.