Background: Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) is becoming one of the most popular plantbased foods that contain the greatest amount of nutrients particularly omega-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid. It is therefore considered a functional food with pronounced health benefits. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the proximate composition, minerals, fatty acid profiles and phytochemical contents of chia seeds grown in East Africa (Kenya and Uganda). Methods: Official methods of analysis, 2005 were adopted, minerals determined by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, phytochemicals were determined by standard methods and fatty acid profiles were analyzed by Gas chromatography. Results: Proximate composition indicated high contents of protein, fat and fiber. The fatty acid profiles revealed great amounts of α-linolenic acid (45.29-56.99%) followed by linoleic acid (15.9- 20.28%) and oleic acid (6.88-11.58%). However, the difference in the content of α-linolenic acid between samples was not significant (p = 0.7391). Mineral determination (mg/100g) showed high contents of potassium (492.96-862.98), phosphorous (486.45-569.45), calcium (297.47-429.09) and magnesium (192.22-202.97) while considerable amount was observed for iron, zinc, manganese, and copper. There was a significant difference (p = 0.0001) in mineral content between black chia Molo and white chia Bukembo with the exception of phosphorus. Conclusion: Both black and white chia seeds grown in East Africa, observed to have high amounts of α-linolenic acid, proteins, fats, fiber, and minerals. These findings support the evidence that chia is rich in nutrients that are beneficial to human health. Therefore, we suggest its incorporation in diets as a healthy food ingredient.

Background: Childhood malnutrition is a common public health problem in Ethiopia. This animal study aims to evaluate the haematological, biochemical, and nutritional indices of weanling albino rats fed on complementary diets developed from Selected Cereals and Legumes. Methods: The nutritional qualities of the formulated blends were assessed biologically by feeding white albino rats to determine feed intake, the growth rate, protein quality parameters, biochemical and haematological properties. The commercial weaning diet (cerifam) and casein were used as control diets. On the 28th day, blood samples were collected from three randomly selected rats by decapitation. Full blood count analysis was carried out using the Automated Haematologic Analyzer to determine haematological parameters. All the biochemical parameters were determined using Mindray diagnostic kits. The food intake pattern showed that animals placed on diet 3, diet 4, casein, and cerifam consumed more food than those fed on diet 1, diet 2, and diet 7. The mean growth rate of animals fed on diet 3 and diet 4 was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those placed on diet 1, diet 2, and diet 7 but similar to those fed with commercial diet and casein. Results and Discussion: The protein quality evaluation of the diets showed that the protein efficiency ratio ranged from1.20 to 2.43 while the biological value was in the range of 54.53 to 69.48%. The net protein utilization and true digestibility were 65.62 to 70.21%, and 59.01 to 64.01% respectively. Serum total protein, albumin, and globulin levels in rats given diet3 and diet4 are comparable to the controls and are within the normal range. Comparatively, the creatinine and urea levels of rats fed on the control and formulated diets were within the normal range. The serum alanine aminotransferase values of rats fed on the control and formulated diets ranged from 22.03 IU/L in diet 2 to 38.13 IU/L in diet5 and were not significantly different with each other. In this study, the packed cell volume and haemoglobin values of the control and formulated diets were within the recommended range. Evidently, diet 3 and diet 4 gave the best growth performance after the feeding trials. Conclusion: Besides, the haematological and biochemical indices indicate that these diets can support effective growth and development in rats, and consumption of these diets has no detrimental effects on the liver and renal function.