Nangui Abrogoua University, Department of Food Science and Technology, Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire
This study contributes to the exploration of the nutritional potential of under-exploited local resources (sesame and moringa) in weaning food. So, eight diets (MiS, MiSMo5, MiSG, MiSGMo5, MaS, MaSMo5, MaSG and MiSGMo5) were formulated from cereal flours (millet or maize), sesame seed (ungerminated or germinated) and moringa leaf. Commercial weaning foods (AT1 and AT2) were used as control. The biochemical composition and nutritional quality in growing Wistar rats of the various flours was determined. The results showed that the moisture, protein, ash, fat, fiber, carbohydrate and energy content of the formulations are within the recommended standard for weaning foods. Also, the formulated diets have induced weight gain of rats. The BMI of rats fed formulated diets (0.49 - 0.51 g/cm2) is similar to that of AT2 (0.46 g/cm2) control rats. The formulated diets had FER, PER, TD and BV values ranging from (0.18 - 0.23), (1.38 - 1.64), (85.18 - 93.55 %) and (86.64 - 94.91 %) respectively. Any abnormalities were not identified as far as concern rat’s organs (liver and kidney). The total cholesterol and HDL blood cholesterol levels in rats fed the formulated diets are higher than those in rats fed the AT2 control diets. In addition, the LDL cholesterol levels are lower in rats fed the formulations compared to those in the AT1 and AT2 control diets. These results appear adapted within the framework of the fight against infantile malnutrition in the context of the local resources available.