QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Graham, G. G. Articles by Axtell, J. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Graham, G. G. Articles by Axtell, J. D.

Digestibility and Utilization of Protein and Energy from Nasha, a Traditional Sudanese Fermented Sorghum Weaning Food¹

Instituto de Investigacion Nutricional, La Molina (Lima), Peru ^* Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Whole grain sorghum flour was fermented into Nasha, a traditional Sudanese food, and freeze-dried or drum-dried. It was cooked and fed to convalescent malnourished infants and small children as 61% of total diet calories and all of 6.4% protein calories, with (Lys+) and without lysine supplementation to 3% of protein. Apparent absorptions of nitrogen were 73 ± 5 and 74 ± 6% of intake, significantly (P < 0.01) less than those from preceding (Cas-1, 86 ± 3%) and following (Cas-2, 85 ± 3%) isonitrogenous casein diets. Apparent retentions of nitrogen from Nasha (26 ± 10%) were significantly lower than those from Lys + (34 ± 9%, P < 0.05), Cas-1 (35 ± 11%, P < 0.01) or Cas-2 (49 ± 9%, P < 0.01). Retentions from Cas-2 were higher than those from Cas-1 or Lys + (P < 0.01). Fecal wet and dry weights were higher (P < 0.02) during both Nasha diets and Cas-2 than during Cas-1. Fecal energy and carbohydrate were significantly (P < 0.01) higher from either Nasha diet than from either casein diet; fecal fat was not different. Two children received drum-dried Nasha without further cooking; digestibilities were not different from those of the cooked product but biological value was much lower. When properly cooked and consumed along with small amounts of a good source of lysine, Nasha is a satisfactory weaning food.

KEY WORDS: • sorghum • fermentation • digestibility

¹ These studies were supported by research contract ta-C-1286 with the Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of State, and by research grant HD 10111 from the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service.

² Present address: Ross Laboratories, Columbus, OH 43216.

Manuscript received 8 July 1985. Revision accepted 5 February 1986.