Abstract:
Apart from identifying those at risk in the bid to address micro nutrient deficiency, approaches towards prevention, management especially interventions are crucial in tackling vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Vitamin A nutrition intervention approach should include an improved diversified diet, supplementation, fortification and bio fortification. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is more prevalent in children under the age of five. Currently about 2.8 million pre-school children are at risk of blindness from VAD especially in low and middle income countries. In Nigeria, 29.5% of children below the age of five are deficient in vitamin A (serum retinol < 0.70 micro mol/l) but highest in the dry savanna, 31.3%).This study was carried out to standardize Orange Flesh Sweet Potato (OFSP) juice which can be used for VAD intervention. Orange flesh sweet potato (243oz) was weighed with known quantities of ginger, clove, lemon peel, lemon juice, orange juice and sugar to sweeten, blended and strained out and one liter of water was added to produce the OFSP juice and this was noted as sample A. The Same quantity was also prepared but varied, sweetened using 506.6oz of date palm fruits with the addition of four (4) medium size cashew apple, blended and strained with the addition of one liter of water to produce the OFSP juice and was noted as sample B. Sensory evaluation, proximate and micronutrient analysis was carried out on the two samples. From the results obtained in the sensory evaluation, on a nine point hedonic scale, sample B had higher mean scores for attribute such as taste (7.50±1.23), colour (7.20±1.15), aroma (7.50±1.28), and mouth feel (7.30±1.34), but appearance and general acceptability for the two sample were similar. The result of the proximate analysis shows that there was no significant difference between the moisture contents of sample A and sample B. Crude protein was 1,76g/100g in sample A, and 1.94g/100g in sample B. Crude fiber was 0.05g/100g in sample A and 0.01g/100g in sample B. Ash content was higher (0,34g/100g) in sample B than in sample A (0.19/100g). Lipid was 0.04g/100g in sample A, and 0.02g/100g in sample B. Micronutrient analysis showed that vitamin A was 5.34mg/ml in sample A, and 4.22mg/ml in sample B. Vitamin D was also higher (0.090mg/l) in sample A, and 0.02mg/l in sample B, while lead was higher in sample A (0.061mg/l). Sample B had a higher arsenic (0.08mg/l) and iodine, (4.73mg/l).The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin A in children is between 400-600µg/ day, and this juice id more than able to provide for this especially for children. This juice can serve as intervention if the recipe is further standardized and well formulated.
Audience Take Away:
- Nutrition intervention is an all-inclusive process, one can prepare these recipe at home.
- Rather than wait for a doctor of a dietician, this recipe, will help reduce the at risk children who are affected by vitamin A deficiency, hence reducing its prevalence in our hospitals and communities.
- This research provides room for further studies.
- This research provides a practical solution to the problem of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) as well as malnutrition
