Browsing by Author "Zacharia, Abdulsudi Issa"

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Compliance level and stability of micronutrients in fortified maize flour in Tanzania
(HINDAWI, 2024-02-22) Zacharia, Abdulsudi Issa; Mareni, Gudila Boniface
Maize flour fortification was introduced in Tanzania in 2011 to address the risk of micronutrient deficiency to children, adolescents, and women of childbearing age. Fortified maize flours are processed by small-scale processors who are exempted from mandatory fortification. The current study is aimed at assessing the compliance and stability of fortified processed maize flour with zinc, iron, and folic acid by small-scale processors in comparison to the recommended Tanzania national standards (TZS 328). A total of 69 samples of fortified maize flour were collected at the point of production and retail outlets in Dar es Salaam and Morogoro municipalities, Tanzania. Micronutrients (zinc and iron) were analysed using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES), and folic acid was analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mean concentrations of micronutrient were significantly (p < 0 05) higher at the production site compared to the retail outlet. The amount of iron, zinc, and folic acid in the samples at the production site was 27 17 ± 1 63 mg/kg, 30 56 ± 2 01 mg/kg, and 0 69 ± 0 02 mg/kg, respectively, while it was 19 34 ± 0 97 mg/kg, 21 71 ± 1 50 mg/kg, and 0 49 ± 0 02 mg/kg for iron, zinc, and folic acid, respectively, at the retail outlets. Only 31.6% of the assessed samples from production and 12.9% from retail outlets complied with the recommended national standard. The stability of iron, zinc, and folic acid for the fortified maize flour stored at room temperature (20-32°C) for six months was 95.8%, 96.9%, and 66.9%, respectively. Further investigation on the consistency performance of the dosifier and consistency training of working in the processing unit on the requirements of fortification standards should be done.
Formulation and sensory evaluation of complementary foods from local, cheap and readily available cereals and legumes in Iringa, Tanzania
(2011-01) Muhimbula, Happiness S.; Zacharia, Abdulsudi Issa; Kinabo, Joyce
Complementary foods in most developing countries are based on staple cereal or root crops. Although, commercial foods of high quality are occasionally available, they are often expensive and therefore unaffordable by low-income rural households. Different approaches are needed to offer families the opportunity to feed their infants on improved formulations using low cost and locally available staples. To improve the protein and energy intake of infants in Iringa region, Tanzania, nine complementary foods were formulated (F1-F9) based on maize, sorghum and finger millet as staples and common beans, cowpeas and green peas as protein supplements. The samples were germinated and spatially roasted to improve the nutritive value and sensory attribute of formulated recipes. The amounts of various staples (cereals) and supplements needed to provide 292 kcal of energy and raise the protein level to 8% Net Protein Energy (NPE) as one third of 6 month old infant’s daily energy and protein requirement were calculated. The protein level was calculated on the basis of the most limiting amino acid in each mixture, using amino acid score. All the formulations were evaluated for their acceptability by both semi- and un- trained panelists using a five point hedonic scale. Although, many formulations were found to be organoleptically acceptable recording moderately to extremely like scores, generally formulations F3 (47 g maize + 11 g beans + 5 g oil + 12 g sugar) and F9 (47 g sorghum+11 g cowpeas+5 g oil+12 g sugar) were highly acceptable by both groups of panelists and scored significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the other formulated complementary foods. Their mean score ranged between 4.2 to 4.35 in terms of taste and general acceptability. Addition of sugar and oil was found to improve the sensory attribute of the formulated foods contributed to their higher acceptability