ABSTRACT

Complementary feeding involves the introduction of other forms of foods and or liquids from six months of age when breast milk only can no longer meet the dietary requirements of infants. This research project was aimed at determining the proximate, mineral composition and sensory properties of complementary food made from rice, soybean, crayfish, carrot and date. Rice, Soybean, Date, Crayfish and carrot flours were mixed thoroughly in the ratios represented below: J2DA: ( 40% Rice: 35% Soybean: 15% Date: 5% Crayfish: 5% Carrot), OA42: (50% Rice: 25% Soybean: 15% Date: 5% Crayfish: 5% Carrot), R27H: ( 45% Rice: 30% Soybean: 15% Date: 5% Crayfish: 5% Carrot) and G3ZX: (Golden Mom®) which served as control. The blends were mixed in a rotary mixer (Philips, type HR 1500/A Holland) to produce homogenous complementary food samples. The complementary foods formulated were packaged separately in airtight plastic containers, labeled and preserved in a refrigerator until needed for analysis. The products were analyzed proximate, mineral composition and sensory attributes. The blends were also subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software version 25. From the result, the moisture content was highest (5.75%) inOA42. The crude fiber content was highest (2.49%) in J2DA. The fat content was highest (27.46%) in J2DA. The protein content was the highest (28.51%) in J2DA. The carbohydrate content was highest (43.20%) in R27H. The result of the mineral content of the complementary food showed that sample J2DA had the highest value of Calcium content ranged from 58.66 to 218 mg/l00g, Iron ranged from l.79 to 3.15 mg/l00g. Sample OA42 had the highest iron value of 3.15 mg/I 00g. The concentration of zinc ranged from 1.34 to 2.48 mg/l00g with sample R27H having the highest zinc value of2.48 mg/100. The complementary food was observed to have to meet the FAO standard for calcium but below the iron standard of WHO. The zinc content of the complementary food was within the RDA (recommended daily allowance) as set by WHO. The result of the sensory evaluation revealed that sample J2DA was more generally acceptable by the respondents with a hedonic scale score of 6.10 compared to sample OA42 which had the lowest hedonic scale of 5.43. Finally, sample J2DA has shown to have more nutritive value than other samples. It is therefore recommended as a good complementary food for the growth and development of infants.