Efficacy of quality protein maize based nutritious bars in improving the nutritional status of school children
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Date
2019
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
A study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of quality protein maize based nutritious bars in improving the nutritional status of school children. The nutritional and functional parameters of roasted quality protein maize were better in terms of protein, energy, lysine, tryptophan, methionine, linolenic acid and β-carotene as compared to roasted normal maize used as control. Experimental bars with the composition of quality protein maize, cauliflower leaves, carrots and jaggery in ratio of 41:2:5:52 (Bar I) and quality protein maize, green gram/chick pea, cauliflower leaves, carrots and jaggery in ratio of 27:14: 2: 5: 52 (Bar II and III) were found to be highly acceptable in terms of sensory scores. All the three developed bars were highly acceptable to the consumers and were cost effective (Rs. 5.31, 6.44 and 5.98 per bar of 100 g). The nutritional and functional properties of all the developed bars viz. protein, fat, energy, lysine, tryptophan, cystine, amino acid score and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score, unsaturated fatty acids, β-carotene and percent nutrient digestibility were higher than that of control bars (normal maize based). The supplementation of all three bars to the school children showed increase in their daily mean intake of food and nutrients. The maximum increase in weight and mid upper arm circumference of children was observed in groups supplemented with bar III followed by bar II and I. An increase in total protein, serum albumin and haematological profile was recorded in all the experimental groups after supplementation of bars for 90 days. The trend in reduction of prevalence rate of malnutrition and anaemia was observed in the groups supplemented with bar II followed by bars III and I. The shelf life stability of bars revealed that bars I and III packed in high density polyethylene was acceptable till 120 days. On the basis of findings, the inclusion of developed quality protein maize based bars are highly recommended in supplementary feeding programmes to achieve the target of zero malnutrition.
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