Optimization of Nutrient Composition of Foam-Mat Dried Protein Rich Weaning Food Supplement Produced from Carrot Juice (Daucus Carota), Egg White and Crayfish (Nematopalaemon Hastatus)

Summary

This experimental study developed and optimized a foam-mat dried weaning food supplement from a blend of carrot juice, egg white and crayfish, using a 14-run factorial design. Compositional analyses revealed that crayfish content increased protein, ash and mineral content (calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium), whilst carrot juice increased carbohydrates and moisture. The optimized formulation (30 g egg white, 35.97 g crayfish, 34.03 g carrot juice) achieved 92.9% desirability for child health based on selected nutrient criteria.

Regional applicability

This research is geographically specific to Nigeria and focuses on locally available ingredients (crayfish, carrot). The findings would have limited direct applicability to United Kingdom weaning food contexts, which have established commercial and public health guidance; however, the methodology for optimizing multi-ingredient supplementary food formulations using foam-mat drying could inform low-resource food fortification approaches internationally.

Key measures

Proximate composition (protein, carbohydrate, fat, fibre, ash, moisture); mineral composition (calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, iron); desirability index for optimization

Outcomes reported

The study optimized the nutrient composition of a foam-mat dried protein-rich weaning food supplement blending carrot juice, egg white and crayfish, measuring proximate composition (protein, carbohydrate, fat, fibre, ash, moisture) and mineral content (calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, iron). An optimal formulation was identified with 92.9% desirability for child health outcomes.

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