Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a weaning food for the children of Bangladesh by using available resources, for this purpose five weaning formulations (F₁ to F₅) based on germinated wheat and mungbean sugar and skim milk powder were processed and evaluated. For preparation of germinated wheat and mungbean flour, seeds were soaked in water for 12 h at 30°C ± 2, germinated for 60 h at 33.5°C ± 2 in a seed germinator, dried at 60°C for 8 h, dehulled,  roasted at 145°C 2 min and milled, after which weaning foods formulations samples were developed by mixing the ingredients. The prepared formulations samples were investigated for proximate composition, functional properties (bulk density, water and oil absorption capacities, swelling power and water soluble index) and sensory evaluation. The proximate composition results indicated that the moisture for (5.26 to 5.12), protein (28.627 to 17.325), ash (3.144 to 2.609) crude fiber (1.865 to 1.321) and carbohydrate (69.561 to 60.2456) were significantly different (p >0.05) but were within the range of the standard specifications for weaning foods. Fat content (1.336 to 1.234), however, was low when compared to the standard specifications even though values were significantly different (p>0.05) when compared with the formulations. Calculated values for total energy provided by the blends ranged from 377.825 to 376.600 kcal/100 g dry matter which was significantly different (p >0.05). The functional properties of weaning food formulations were not significantly (p >0.01) different. The overall acceptability score was highest (7.45) in F₃ weaning food followed by F₄ (7.20) ranging from ‘like slightly’ to ‘like moderately. The F₃ weaning food was satisfactorily acceptable. The composition and functional properties of F₃ (44% wheat flour 36% mungbean flour, 10% skim milk powder and 10% sugar) and F₂ (56% wheat flour 24% mungbean flour, 10% skim milk powder and 10% sugar) formulations were close compared to the standard specifications and hence have a good potential for use as weaning foods.

Key words: Weaning, food, germinated, wheat, mungbean.