Optimization of nutritional and sensory qualities of complementary foods prepared from sorghum, soybean, karkade and premix in Benishangul - Gumuz region, Ethiopia

Consumption of nutritionally deficient complementary foods in developing countries is among the main contributing factors to infants and young children's malnutrition. Therefore, this study was aimed to optimize the nutritional and sensory properties of complementary food made from malted sorghum, blanched soybean, boiled karkade seeds and premix. A D-optimal mixture experimental design with 18 runs was generated by design expert software within in the constrained: 40–60% malted sorghum, 20–30% blanched soybean, 10–20% boiled karkade seeds and 10% premix (5.0% figl leaf powder, 4.5% sugar and 0.5% iodized table salt). Statistical model evaluation and optimization were done using D-optimal mixture design expert software. Sensory evaluation was conducted using 53 untrained panelists on two selected formulations and the control (local formulation). The study shows that with an increasing ratio of blanched soybean and boiled karkade seeds flour in the blend, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in protein, fat, energy and mineral contents, and a decrease in tannin and phytic acid contents of high mineral bioavailability except for oxalate: calcium ratio in the formulations were observed. The optimal blending ratio was 45.0% malted sorghum, 26.0% blanched soybean, and 19.0% boiled karkade seeds flour plus 10.0% premix. The gruel made from the new formula was significantly (p < 0.05) liked in terms of aroma, flavor, mouthfeel and overall acceptability than the control sample. The findings suggested that the optimal mix of these traditionally processed ingredients can potentially alleviate protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency to mitigate expensive commercial infant complementary foods sold in the market.