Growth performance, biochemical and haematological parameters of BALB/c mice fed on staple grains and bee larvae (Apis Mellifera) blended complementary foods

In Sub-Saharan Africa, inadequate complementary feeding practices and being nutritionally inadequate are primary factors in infant and young child malnutrition, growth failure, and high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, novel complementary foods need to be developed to alleviate malnutrition problems in IYC. Therefore, this experimental study aimed to assess the effects of newly developed grain-bee larvae blended complementary foods on the growth performance, haematological, and biochemical parameters of BALB/c mice. A complete randomized design was used and a total of 75 BALB/c mice were assigned to each of the five treatments. The treatments were: T1 = Casein diet; T2 = 57 % Maize, 29 % Teff, 14 % Soybean; T3 = 58 % Maize, 29 % Teff, 13 % Bee larvae; T4 = Commercial wean mix; and T5 = Basal diet alone. The in vivo experiment trial was done for 28 days along with seven days of adaptation. Dietary intake was not significantly different (P = 0.96) between treatments, but it was noted that T3 had gained the highest final body weight (38.52 g). The examined biochemical parameters showed T4 had the lowest serum protein (6.27 mg/dl) and globulin (3.61 mg/dl). Compared to others, T3 significantly (P < 0.001) increased WBC (4 × 10(6) mm(3)), RBC (11.37 × 10(3) mm(3)), Haemoglobin (16.42 g/dl), and Hematocrit (63.04 %). The highest serum levels of zinc (0.55 mg/dl) and iron (2.08 mg/dl) were reported on T2, while the highest serum calcium content (10.64 mg/dl) was reported on T1. The results indicated that T3 can aid body growth, health, and prevent malnutrition in infants and young children.