Nutritional composition and consumer acceptance of tomato paste fortified with palm weevil larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius) in the Ashanti region, Ghana.

Edible insects, such as palm weevil larvae, have been promoted as an alternative source of nutrients in developing countries for their nutritional benefits, cost-effective rearing, and yearly availability. Unfortunately, consumer acceptance remains a barrier to their utilization. A supplemental palm weevil larvae and tomato paste were developed as part of efforts to understand whether incorporating edible insects into staple foods could help overcome this barrier. Palm weevil larvae flour and tomato paste were mixed in three formulations that had 8, 15, and 30% of palm weevil larvae flour. Samples were subjected to proximate and mineral content analyses and sensory evaluation. Among the blends, tomato paste containing 30% palm weevil larvae had the highest protein, fat, and total solids content as compared to unfortified tomato paste. Iron and zinc levels also increased with increasing levels of palm weevil larvae flour. Carbohydrate and crude fiber concentrations of the samples, however, decreased with increasing fortification levels. The overall acceptance and willingness to purchase fortified tomato paste as determined by sensory evaluation was high for all samples and increased with increasing knowledge about palm weevil larvae's nutritional benefits. Overall acceptance and willingness to purchase fortified tomato paste were significantly dependent on the samples' color and consumers' overall liking of the products. Tomato paste fortified with palm weevil larvae can provide a complementary source of iron for Ghanaians.

Factors associated with iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant teenagers in Ashanti Region, Ghana: A hospital-based prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) is reportedly high in pregnant adults and the causes well studied. However, among pregnant teenagers, the levels and associated factors of IDA are not fully understood. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study among Ghanaian pregnant teenagers, aged 13-19 years, IDA prevalence and associated factors were investigated. Sociodemographic data, household hunger scale (HHS), lived poverty index (LPI), FAO's women's dietary diversity score (WDDS) and interventions received during antenatal care (ANC) were obtained from 416 pregnant teenagers in Ashanti Region, Ghana. Micronutrient intakes using a repeated 24-hour dietary recall, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were determined and blood samples analysed for haemoglobin (Hb), serum levels of ferritin, prealbumin, vitamin A, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP). RESULTS: Anaemia (Hb cutoff <11.0 g/dL) was 57.1%; deficient systemic supply of iron stores (31.4%), depleted body stores of iron (4.4%), inadequate dietary iron intake (94.5%), and inadequate multiple micronutrient intakes (49.5%), were all notable among study participants. Between-subject effects using Generalized Linear Modelling indicated malaria tablet given at ANC (p = 0.035), MUAC (p = 0.043), ZPP (p<0.001), ZPP/Hb ratio (p<0.001) and depleted body iron stores (DBIS) (p<0.001) to significantly affect Hb levels. Pregnant teenagers with a high ZPP/Hb ratio (OR = 9.7, p<0.001, 95%CI = 6.0-15.8) had increased odds of being anaemic compared to those with normal ZPP/Hb ratio. Participants who were wasted (OR = 1.2, p = 0.543, 95%CI = 0.6-2.3), and those with depleted iron stores (OR = 3.0, p = 0.167, 95%CI = 0.6-14.6) had increased odds of being anaemic. Participants who experienced hunger were close to 3 times more likely (OR = 2.9, p = 0.040, 95%CI = 1.1-7.8) for depleted iron stores, compared to those who did not experience hunger. Also, participants with inadequate multiple micronutrients intakes (OR = 2.6, p = 0.102, 95%CI = 0.8-8.4), and those with low serum levels of ferritin (OR = 3.3, p = 0.291, 95%CI = 0.4-29.2) had increased odds of depleted body iron stores. CONCLUSIONS: IDA is common among pregnant teenagers and the related factors include malaria tablets given at ANC, maternal hunger, maternal MUAC, a deficient systemic supply of iron, depleted body iron stores, ZPP, and ZPP/Hb ratio. Appropriate interventions are urgently needed to address the causes of IDA among pregnant teenagers.

Evaluating the nutritional content of an insect-fortified food for the child complementary diet in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Due to rising food insecurity, natural resource scarcity, population growth, and the cost of and demand for animal proteins, insects as food have emerged as a relevant topic. This study examines the nutrient content of the palm weevil larva (Rhynchophorus phoenicis), a traditionally consumed edible insect called akokono in Ghana, and assesses its potential as an animal-source, complementary food. METHODS: Akokono in two "unmixed" forms (raw, roasted) and one "mixed" form (akokono-groundnut paste) were evaluated for their macronutrient, micronutrient, amino acid, and fatty acid profiles. RESULTS: Nutrient analyses revealed that a 32 g (2 tbsp.) serving of akokono-groundnut paste, compared to recommended daily allowances or adequate intakes (infant 7-12 months; child 1-3 years), is a rich source of protein (99%; 84%), minerals [copper (102%; 66%), magnesium (54%; 51%), zinc (37%; 37%)], B-vitamins [niacin (63%; 42%), riboflavin (26%; 20%), folate (40%; 21%)], Vitamin E (a-tocopherol) (440%; 366%), and linoleic acid (165%; 108%). Feed experiments indicated that substituting palm pith, the typical larval diet, for pito mash, a local beer production by-product, increased the carbohydrate, potassium, calcium, sodium, and zinc content of raw akokono. Akokono-groundnut paste meets (within 10%) or exceeds the levels of essential amino acids specified by the Institute of Medicine criteria for animal-source foods, except for lysine. CONCLUSIONS: Pairing akokono with other local foods (e.g., potatoes, soybeans) can enhance its lysine content and create a more complete dietary amino acid profile. The promotion of akokono as a complementary food could play an important role in nutrition interventions targeting children in Ghana.

Effect of bambara groundnut supplementation on the physicochemical properties of rice flour and crackers.

This study evaluated the effect of bambara groundnut supplementation on the physicochemical properties of local rice flour and baked crackers. Bulk and true density, porosity, water absorption index, oil absorption capacity, pasting properties by RVA, morphological appearance by SEM, color by calorimetry, and textural properties by TA.XT2 analysis of wheat and two formulations of rice-legume flours and crackers were studied. Moisture (10.94%) and carbohydrate (77.42%) levels were significantly greater in wheat flour than the rice-legume flours, while the reverse was true for fat and ash. Also rice-legume flours had significantly greater water and oil absorption capacity and lower water solubility compared to wheat flour. Compared to wheat crackers, rice-legume crackers had greater fat and ash, 20.51 and 3.57%, respectively, while moisture was significantly lower in the rice-legume crackers by 41 to 58%. Rice legume crackers were significantly harder and had significantly increased spread ratio. The results obtained from the development of locally grown rice and underutilized legume bambara groundnut showed great promise in physicochemical and functional properties and may be a good replacement for wheat flour to serve as a gluten-free product.

Enriching gluten-free rice pasta with soybean and sweet potato flours.

The development of innovative rice products is a way to exploiting and adding value to low-grade African rice varieties. To this purpose, rice-based pasta was enriched with flours from soybean and orange-fleshed sweet potato, that are common ingredients in the African tradition. Four different formulations based on pre-gelatinized rice flour and liquid egg albumen, and containing soybean and/or sweet potato (up to 20%) were prepared and characterized via a multidisciplinary approach. Soybean and sweet potato enrichment leads to a decrease in the pasta consistency and in significant changes in the color of the resulting samples, likely due to Maillard-type reactions. E-sensing approaches indicated that the sensory profile of the various pasta products strongly depends on the type of enrichment. Data collected after cooking suggest that both soybean and sweet potato have a role in defining the firmness and water absorption, as well as the optimum cooking time. Structural characterization of proteins in the uncooked products indicates the presence of protein aggregates stabilized by hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds in all samples, although structural properties of the aggregates related to specific compositional traits.