Newly formulated, protein quality-enhanced, extruded sorghum-, cowpea-, corn-, soya-, sugar- and oil-containing fortified-blended foods lead to adequate vitamin A and iron outcomes and improved growth compared with non-extruded CSB+ in rats

Soy Protein is an Efficacious Alternative to Whey Protein in Sorghum–Soy Fortified Blended Foods in Rats

Background

Previously we found that extruded corn–soy blend (CSB) and sorghum–soy blend (SSB) fortified blended foods (FBFs) containing whey protein concentrate (WPC) were equally nutritious food aid products. WPC provides high-quality protein; however, it is the most expensive ingredient in these FBFs.

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to determine if soy protein can serve as an alternative to WPC and the secondary objective was to evaluate different sucrose amounts in the FBFs.

Methods

Nine extruded FBFs were formulated: 1 CSB and 1 SSB, both containing 9.5% WPC and 15% sucrose, served as comparison FBFs. Three additional CSB and 4 SSB FBFs were formulated containing no WPC, but with increased soy flour to meet protein requirements and varying sucrose concentrations. The sucrose content ranged from 0% to 10% for the CSBs and 0% to 15% for the SSBs. Male weanling Sprague Dawley rats were individually housed and divided into 10 diet groups (n = 9–10) which consumed either AIN-93G or a dry FBF for 28 d. At study conclusion, blood, livers, and body composition data were collected. Results were analyzed using 1-factor ANOVA with Tukey's test.

Results

Outcomes were not significantly different between the SSB groups, with the exception of significantly higher protein efficiency for the WPC-containing group. Among the CSB groups, caloric and protein efficiencies were significantly higher for the WPC-containing CSB group. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin or hepatic iron concentrations between FBF groups, but hepatic iron concentrations were significantly higher in all FBF groups than in the AIN-93G group. Groups consuming diets with ≤10% sucrose had significantly higher bone mineral density than groups consuming diets with 15% sucrose.

Conclusions

These results suggest that extruded SSB, but not necessarily CSB, FBFs with soy protein and 5%–10% added sucrose are efficacious and cost-effective alternatives to WPC-containing FBFs.

Complementary Feeding of Sorghum-Based and Corn-Based Fortified Blended Foods Results in Similar Iron, Vitamin A, and Anthropometric Outcomes in the MFFAPP Tanzania Efficacy Study

BACKGROUND

Fortified blended foods (FBFs) are micronutrient-fortified food aid products containing cereals and pulses. It has been suggested to reformulate FBFs to include whey protein concentrate, use alternative commodities (e.g., sorghum and cowpea), and utilize processing methods such as extrusion to produce them. The Micronutrient Fortified Food Aid Pilot Project (MFFAPP) efficacy study was designed to test the efficacy of complementary feeding of newly formulated FBFs.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of 5 newly formulated FBFs in combating iron deficiency anemia and vitamin A deficiency compared with traditionally prepared corn-soy blend plus (CSB+) and no intervention. A secondary aim was to determine the impact on underweight, stunting, wasting, and middle-upper arm circumference.

METHODS

A 20-wk, partially randomized cluster study was completed. Two age groups (aged 6-23 and 24-53 mo) with hemoglobin status <10.3 g/dL, and weight-for-height z scores >-3 were enrolled and assigned to diet groups. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements were collected at 0, 10, and 20 wk.

RESULTS

Both hemoglobin concentrations and anemia ORs were significantly improved in all intervention groups except for CSB+ and the no-intervention groups at week 20. Only extruded corn-soy blend 14 and the no-intervention age groups failed to significantly decrease vitamin A deficiency risk (P < 0.04). There were no consistent significant differences among groups in anthropometric outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

FBFs reformulated with sorghum, cowpea, corn, and soy significantly improved anemia and vitamin A deficiency ORs compared with week 0 and with no intervention. Although newly formulated FBFs did not significantly improve vitamin A deficiency or anemia compared with CSB+, CSB+ was the only FBF not to significantly improve these outcomes over the study duration. Our findings suggest that newly formulated sorghum- and cowpea-based FBFs are equally efficacious in improving these micronutrient outcomes. However, further FBF refinement is warranted. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02847962.

Novel Formulated Fortified Blended Foods Result in Improved Protein Efficiency and Hepatic Iron Concentrations Compared with Corn-Soy Blend Plus in Broiler Chickens

BACKGROUND

Corn- and soybean-based fortified blended foods (FBFs) have been the primary food aid product provided by the United States. Sorghum and cowpea have been suggested as alternative FBF commodities because they are drought-tolerant, grown in food aid-receiving areas, and not genetically modified. Extrusion processing has also been suggested to improve the quality of these FBFs.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the protein quality and iron and vitamin A bioavailability of novel FBFs in broiler chickens.

METHODS

Whey protein concentrate (WPC)-containing FBFs corn-soy blend 14, sorghum-soy, and sorghum-cowpea (SC); a soy protein isolate (SPI)-containing SC FBF (SC+SPI); 2 reformulated, overprocessed SC FBFs (O-SC+WPC, O-SC+SPI); and a nonextruded WPC-containing SC FBF were developed. Nonextruded corn-soy blend plus (CSB+), a currently used FBF, and a gamebird starter/grower diet were used as comparison diets. In the prepared FBF study, 9 groups of 8-d-old broiler chicks (n = 10) consumed prepared FBFs for 21 d. In the dry study, 8 groups of 4-d-old broiler chicks (n = 24; control: n = 23) consumed dry FBFs for 14 d. Results were analyzed by 1-factor ANOVA with least-significant-difference test.

RESULTS

In the prepared study, novel formulated FBFs significantly increased caloric and protein efficiency and nonsignificantly increased body weight gain, despite similar food intake compared with CSB+. In the dry study, novel formulated FBFs, except for O-SC+SPI, significantly increased food intake, caloric efficiency, and protein efficiency and nonsignificantly increased body-weight gain compared with CSB+. Novel formulated FBFs nonsignificantly and significantly increased hepatic iron concentrations compared with all FBFs in the prepared and dry studies, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Novel formulated FBFs, apart from O-SC+SPI, resulted in improved protein efficiencies and hepatic iron concentrations compared with CSB+, suggesting that they are of higher nutritional quality.

Bioavailable Iron and Vitamin A in Newly Formulated, Extruded Corn, Soybean, Sorghum, and Cowpea Fortified-Blended Foods in the In Vitro Digestion/Caco-2 Cell Model

BACKGROUND

Fortified-blended foods (FBFs), particularly corn-soybean blend (CSB), are food aid products distributed in developing countries. The US Agency for International Development food aid quality review recommended developing extruded FBFs with the use of alternative commodities such as sorghum.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine bioavailable iron and vitamin A content from newly developed extruded corn, soybean, sorghum, and cowpea FBFs compared with the nonextruded traditional food aid FBFs, corn-soy blend 13 (CSB13) and corn-soy blend plus (CSB+).

METHODS

Eleven extruded FBFs-sorghum-cowpea (n = 7), sorghum-soy (n = 3), and corn-soy (n = 1)-along with 2 nonextruded FBFs-CSB13 and CSB+, and Cerelac (Nestlé), a commercially available fortified infant food, were prepared. Bioavailable iron and vitamin A contents were assessed by using the in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model. Dry FBFs, aqueous fractions, and Caco-2 cell pellet vitamin A contents were analyzed by HPLC. Dry FBF and aqueous fraction iron contents were measured by atomic absorptiometry, and bioavailable iron was assessed by measuring Caco-2 ferritin contents via ELISA.

RESULTS

Iron and vitamin A concentrations in Cerelac and dry FBFs ranged from 8.0 to 31.8 mg/100 g and 0.3 to 1.67 mg/100 g, respectively. All of the extruded FBFs contained 4- to 7-fold significantly higher (P < 0.05) aqueous fraction iron concentrations compared with CSB13 and CSB+. However, there were no significant differences in Caco-2 cell ferritin and vitamin A concentrations between extruded FBFs, nonextruded FBFs, and or the basal salt solution negative control.

CONCLUSION

Results support the theory that the consumption of newly developed extruded sorghum-cowpea, sorghum-soy, and corn-soy FBFs would result in iron and vitamin A concentrations comparable to traditional nonextruded CSB13 and CSB+ FBFs.

The MFFAPP Tanzania Efficacy Study Protocol: Newly Formulated, Extruded, Fortified Blended Foods for Food Aid

Fortified blended foods (FBFs) are micronutrient-fortified blends of milled cereals and pulses that represent the most commonly distributed micronutrient-fortified food aid. FBFs have been criticized due to lack of efficacy in treating undernutrition, and it has also been suggested that alternative commodities, such as sorghum and cowpea, be investigated instead of corn and soybean. The Micronutrient Fortified Food Aid Pilot Project (MFFAPP) Tanzania efficacy study was the culmination of economic, processing, sensory, and nutrition FBF research and development. MFFAPP Tanzania was a 20-wk, partially randomized cluster design conducted between February and July 2016 that enrolled children aged 6-53 mo in the Mara region of Tanzania with weight-for-height z scores >-3 and hemoglobin concentrations <10.3 mg/dL. The intervention was complementary feeding of newly formulated, extruded FBFs (white sorghum cowpea variety 1, white sorghum-cowpea variety 2, red sorghum-cowpea, white sorghum-soy blend, and corn-soy blend 14) compared with Corn Soy Blend Plus (CSB+), a current US Agency for International Development-distributed corn-soy blend, and a no-FBF-receiving control. Screened participants (n = 2050) were stratified by age group (6-23 and 24-53 mo) and allocated to 1 of 7 FBF clusters provided biweekly. Biochemical and anthropometric data were measured every 10 wk at weeks 0, 10, and 20. The primary objectives of this study were to determine whether newly formulated, extruded corn-, soy-, sorghum-, and cowpea-based FBFs result in equivalent vitamin A or iron outcomes compared with CSB+. Changes in anthropometric outcomes were also examined. Results from the MFFAPP Tanzania Efficacy Study will inform food aid producers and distributers about whether extruded sorghum- and cowpea-based FBFs are viable options for improving the health of the undernourished. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02847962.