Comparative Nutrient And Anti-nutrient Levels In Commercial And Formulated Weaning Mixtures

The proximate and antinutrient analyses of six diets based on processed sweet potato- crayfish- soyabean/ bambara groundnut mixtures were determined using 'Nutrend' as standard. Values for two sources of commercial processed soya bean flours used as protein supplements for infants and children in Nigeria were also investigated. Tannin (as tannic acid equivalent)and phytic acid contents of the ingredients and diets were also determined. Ratios of feed ingredients were formulated to provide 352-391 Kcal/kg energy, 12.03 -17.72% proteins per 100g diet, and to reach and adequate level of NdpCal% of 6.54 -8.02. The proximate analysis of the diets showed that protein value ranged between 7.88 -17.72%, carbohydrate 60.90 - 69.53%, lipid 2.02 -6.49%, ash 1.70 - 5.20%, fibre 0.61 -6.59%, and moisture 7.10 -9 .15%. The anti-nutritional factors analysis showed that percent loss in tannin content of 15. 00% and 51.22% in soya beans and bambara groundnut respectively were achieved and percent apparent loss of phytic acid content of 74.78% and 45.92% for soya beans and bambara groundnut respectively were also achieved. The diets that contained sweet potato - bambara groundnut mixture and sweet potato - soya bean mixture were similar to Nutrend (P> 0.05) in enriched nutrient content while diets containing tannin and phytate levels reduced significantly (P <0.05) to values close to that of Nutrend. These diets can effectively substitute for Nutrend based on their analyzed nutrient and anti-nutrient values.