Formulation, Nutritive Value Assessment and Effect on Weight Gain of Infant Formulae Prepared from Locally Available Materials

The widespread problem of infant malnutrition in developing countries has stirred efforts in research, development and extension by both local and international organizations. As a result, the formulation and development of nutritious weaning foods from local and readily available raw materials, which are cost effective has become imperative in many developing countries. Thus, the local and readily available raw materials were used to compound and develop nutritious new infant formulae. The materials used for this study include maize, millet, cowpea, pumpkin, fingerlings and fish bone. The materials were dried and blended to powder. The powders were weighed in the ratio of 4:4:4:3:1:1 respectively and were then mixed properly. Analysis of nutritive value was performed on the formulae and compared with NAN-2 (control) and results revealed that the formulae had reasonable amount of moisture, lipids, carbohydrate, protein and fibre. Although NAN-2 was superior in carbohydrate and protein, our infant formula was higher in mineral elements, vitamins, fibre and lipids. All the essentials vitamins and both macro and micro minerals were found in appreciable quantity capable of meeting the biochemical and physiological demand of the body while the anti-nutrients composition were significantly (p