The potential use of chickpeas in development of infant follow-on formula.
BACKGROUND
Undernutrition during childhood is a common disorder in the developing countries, however most research has focussed much on its treatment rather than its prevention.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the potential of using chickpeas in infant follow-on formula production against the requirements of WHO/FAO on complementary foods and EU regulations on follow-on formula.


METHODS
Chickpeas were germinated for 72 hours followed by boiling, drying and dehulling in order to minimise associated anti-nutrition factors. Saccharifying enzymes were used to hydrolyse starch to maltose and the resulting flours were analysed for their protein content and amino acid profile.


RESULTS
The protein content (percentage) increased from 16.66 ± 0.35 and 20.24 ± 0.50 to 20.00 ± 0.15 and 21.98 ± 0.80 for the processed desi and kabuli cultivar compared to raw chickpeas, respectively (P < 0.05). There was insignificant change (P = 0.05) in amino acid profile following processing and the resulting flour was found to meet the amino acid requirements of WHO/FAO protein reference for 0-24 month's children.


CONCLUSIONS
The designed chickpea based infant follow-on formula meets the WHO/FAO requirements on complementary foods and also the EU regulations on follow-on formula with minimal addition of oils, minerals and vitamins. It uses chickpea as a common source of carbohydrate and protein hence making it more economical and affordable for the developing countries without compromising the nutrition quality.
Lovemore Nkhata
LN
Malunga
Shimrit
S
Bar-El Dadon
Eli
E
Zinal
Zipi
Z
Berkovich
Shahal
S
Abbo
The School of Nutritional Sciences Plant Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P,O, Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel. ram.reifen@mail.huji.ac.il.
Ram
R
Reifen
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D029863:Cicer; D003906:Developing Countries; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control; D009751:Nutritional Requirements
D000596:Amino Acids; D004044:Dietary Proteins