Nikhil Talaviya, Ashish Todkar
Early weaning practices are one of the most important causes of malnutrition of children which ultimately increase the chance of baby morbidity and death rate. Omega-3 fatty acid(DHA ,ALA and EPA) is require for growth of brain and good vision in baby. The present study was carried out to develop cereals , pulses and dryfruit based baby food powder from indigenous raw materials for young children and to evaluate nutritional quality. The baby food powder was developed from different types of flour and omega-3 capsule .then it was analyzed for their physico-chemical, functional, microbiological and sensory qualities using standard methods. Moisture, Ash, Protein, Fat ,carbohydrate, DHA , ALA and EPA content was found 2.55%, 1.61%,13.33%,13.22%,82%, 240mg, 44mg and 360 mg respectively, it was able to meet the baby over 1 year recommended daily allowances. The values of functional properties such as water absorption capacity 115.37 ml/g , bulk density 0.57g/cm3 , solubility 57.41 % and swelling power 14.29% were found. The microbial analysis was done to see the acceptability of the product and the result was very good from the microbiological point of view. The main mineral of the baby food powder such as sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium and calcium were 220.4, 250, 8.9, 5.9 and 451 (mg/100g) respectively and Vitamin A and vitamin E was found 2800 and 3252µg/100gm.. On the basis of results pertaining to chemical and functional properties of the baby food powder the nutrient content was sufficient to meet the baby over 1 year basic need. Therefore, this baby food powder may support us to maintain a healthier life of baby at a cheap rate.
Baby Food Powder, Baby, Nutritional Quality, Microbiological and Physico-Chemical Qualities