Abstract
This study aimed at improving the nutrient composition and protein quality of biscuits made from sorghum and wheat through fortification with Longhorn Ruspolia differens powder (RDP) for use as a supplementary food targeting children vulnerable to protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Ten biscuit formulations were prepared by replacing a part of wheat and sorghum-wheat flours with 5, 15, 20, and 40% RDP. To establish the nutrient content of biscuits, proximate and mineral compositions were determined. The amino acid composition, reactive lysine and in vitro protein digestibility were determined for protein quality. Compositing wheat or wheat-sorghum biscuits with RDP increased the protein, fat, ash, and crude fiber by percentages as high as 118, 37, 133, and 573%, respectively. Mineral content increased with, iron, zinc, and potassium as high as 161, 219, and 169%, respectively. The lysine, reactive lysine and in vitro protein digestibility of the fortified biscuits increased significantly, relative to the 100% cereal biscuits. Fortification with RDP significantly improved the amino acid content of the biscuits but had a marginal effect on improvement of the lysine score and did not meet the reference pattern for children aged 3-10 years. The Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) of wheat-sorghum and wheat biscuits improved by 6% to 47% and 2% to 33%, respectively, compared to the control biscuits. The fortified biscuits were liked by the consumers. The RDP-fortified biscuits have the potential to alleviate PME in developing countries.