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Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to develop a composite porridge with a high nutritional value, to help combat child malnutrition in Mozambique. The research focused on the use of pearl millet and cowpea, crops that are widely cultivated and consumed in the northern region of the country, known for their climate resilience, availability and accessibility. Both grains are acknowledged for their high nutritional value and health-promoting compounds. In Mozambique, it is common for children and adults to consume the same food, which are predominantly starch-based. However, these foods are typically high in viscosity whilst low in energy and protein density and lack essential micronutrients crucial for child growth. This thesis focused on evaluating the effects of different pre-treatments, namely soaking, germination, and fermentation, on the physicochemical and morphological properties of pearl millet and cowpea flours as well as the resulting composite porridges. The primary objective was to identify the formulation with improved nutritional quality and reduced anti-nutritional factors, while maintaining both sensory appeal and cultural acceptability. The results revealed that germination altered starch granules of pearl millet and significantly reduced a porridge’s viscosity, whereas the cowpea starch granules were less affected. Pre-treatments enhanced the extractability of dietary fibre and phenolic compounds. Both fermentation and germination also promoted the enzymatic breakdown of the starch into smaller fractions. The six porridge formulations developed using fermented pearl millet exhibited rapidly digestible starch and lower levels of phytic acid. Among the developed composite porridges, those containing fermented samples, either together or combined with germinated pearl millet or cowpea were all liked by Mozambican mothers, with fermented pearl millet and cowpea combined with germinated cowpea being the most liked. Overall, the results highlight the potential of using pre-treated samples to develop affordable, culturally acceptable, and nutritionally balanced composite porridge to address protein-energy malnutrition in Mozambique and similar low-income countries.

Keywords

children undernutrition; pearl millet; cowpea; pre-treatments; composite porridges; physicochemical properties; phenolic compounds; digestible starch; sensory evaluation

Published in

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae
2025, number: 2025:63
Publisher: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Food Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.54612/a.3j7t0rbo5c
  • ISBN: 978-91-8124-047-4
  • eISBN: 978-91-8124-093-1

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142464