Sweetpotato Knowledge Portal
Protein-energy malnutrition and vitamin A deficiencies are among the public health problems in Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to assess the nutritional composition of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato and haricot bean (70:30, 80:20, 90:10 and 100:0.0) formulated mashed food. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and SAS version 9.0 Software. Completely randomized design was used to compare the effect of different proportion on proximate composition, minerals, anti-nutrients, bio-availability and ß-carotene contents. Standard methods were used to evaluate the proximate composition, anti-nutritional factors, mineral contents (Ca, Zn and Fe) and there bio-availability, and ß-carotene of formulated mashed foods. The survey results showed that preschool children were not consuming protein and vitamin A rich foods frequently to meet their Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of protein and vitamin A. The proximate composition indicated as the proportion of haricot bean increased the moisture and carbohydrate contents were decreased. On the contrary Ca, Fe, Zn, phytate and tannin were increased as the proportion of haricot bean increased. All phytate to minerals molar ratios were observed below the critical limits. The nutritionally improved and acceptable mashed foods can be prepared from OFSP and haricot bean at 70:30 proportions. Nutrition education using food-based interventions were also recommended in the study area to improve nutritional status of preschool children.
