Nutritional and sensory properties of infant complementary porridges supplemented with detar fruit pulp, monkey bread fruit pulp, and moringa leaf powder

It is a stark reality that children, particularly infants between 6 and 24 months old, in the arid and semi-arid tropics remain the most vulnerable worldwide to malnutrition, underscoring. This study then aimed to develop complementary infant porridges supplemented with Detarium microcarpum fruit pulp (5–24%), Adansonia digitata fruit pulp (0–10%), and Moringa oleifera leaves (0–5%), nutrient-dense and drought-adapted plants that thrive in the semi-arid tropics and serve as vital food resources for local communities. Accordingly, five infant flours were formulated and tested as porridge by 44 pairs of mothers and children aged between 6 and 24 months. Proximate composition and amino acids profile of the formulated flours were determined using standard methods. The newly formulated flours demonstrated gross nutritional compositions and energy values (420–429 kcal/100 g dry matter) in line with WHO recommendations for complementary foods for breastfed children aged between 6 and 24 months. The proximate composition and the profile in amino acids also showed appreciated balances. The porridges revealed distinct sensory fingerprints (color, odor, taste, mouthfeel) and were variably appreciated. The addition of moringa penalized most of the formula. Only one formula (F2), exempt of moringa leaves powder, with 7% of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp and 8% of Detarium microcarpum fruit pulp, was appreciated by both children and their mothers (scoring 4.05 out of 5). This study underscores the potential of millet and soybean-based flour supplemented with Detarium microcarpum fruit pulp and Adansonia digitata fruit pulp as a nutritious alternative for infant complementary porridge. However, further investigation, such as familiarizing the children with the taste of moringa, will be necessary to determine whether the rejection of moringa-supplemented porridge is due to unfamiliarity with its flavor.