Development and acceptability of a novel milk‐free soybean–maize–sorghum ready‐to‐use therapeutic food (SMS‐RUTF) based on industrial extrusion cooking process

Abstract

Peanut milk-based ready-to-use therapeutic food (P-RUTF) primarily used to treat severe acute malnutrition at community setting is expensive. We developed an alternative milk-free soybean-maize-sorghum-based RUTF (SMS-RUTF) using locally grown ingredients that have the potential to support local economy and reduce the cost of RUTF. We describe the production process and results of acceptability of the new product. Acceptability and tolerance of SMS-RUTF was compared with P-RUTF among 45 children aged 4-11 years old based on a cross-over design. Each child consumed 250 g RUTF for 10 days followed by a five-day washout period and a subsequent 10-day period on the second RUTF. The SMS-RUTF was as acceptable as the P-RUTF among normal children aged 4-11 years of age with no associated adverse effects. SMS-RUTF was stable for at least 12 months without detectable microbiological or chemical deterioration. The major challenge encountered in SMS-RUTF development was the difficulty to accurately determine key nutrient composition due to its high oil content. Use of diversified locally available ingredients to produce RUTF is feasible. The SMS-RUTF meets expected standards and is acceptable to children aged 4-11 months old. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of SMS-RUTF is required.

Comparison of the effectiveness of a milk‐free soy‐maize‐sorghum‐based ready‐to‐use therapeutic food to standard ready‐to‐use therapeutic food with 25% milk in nutrition management of severely acutely malnourished Zambian children: an equivalence non‐blinded cluster randomised controlled trial

“…Although the acceptability trial conducted before the start of this study in Zambian children did not show any difference in acceptability (Owino et al . ), intake or side effects including a depression of appetite through the production of flatulence could have been different in the children with SAM. The absence of food intake data in this study prevents us from analysing the impact of intake on rates of weight gain and future studies into new RUTFs should include a direct assessment of intake.…”

Innovative optimization of ready to use food for treatment of acute malnutrition

“…Furthermore, research suggests that sorghum, cocoa powder, almond, and sweet potato may raise acceptability when added to certain RUF (Dibari, El Hadji, Collins, & Seal, ; Hathorn, ; Weber & Callaghan, ). Sorghum has been successfully used to create milk free legume based RUTF of suitable acceptability (Owino et al, ).…”

Estimated Iron and Zinc Bioavailability in Soybean-Maize-Sorghum Ready to Use Foods: Effect of Soy Protein Concentrate and Added Phytase

“…Grains were cleaned and accurately weighed in the right proportions (Table 1) and blended manually. The full description of the procedure is as outlined by Owino et al [13]. SPC was obtained from United Soy Board, USA while premixes of vitamins and minerals were obtained from Fortitech Strategic Nutrition, Denmark.…”

“…Insta Products EPZ is internationally certified by UNICEF to supply both corn soy blend (CSB) powder and ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF). Food preparation was done as described for SMS RUTF [13]. The process involved two main stages: extrusion cooking of a blend of whole soya, maize and sorghum grains and mixing of the blend with sugar, oil, fat, milk powder or soy protein concentrate, and premix containing vitamins and minerals.…”

“…They include soybeanmaize-sorghum ready-to-use therapeutic food (SMS RUTF), soybeanmaize-sorghum ready-to-use supplementary foods (SMS RUSF) and soybean-maize-sorghum ready-to-use complementary food (SMS RUCF). Acceptability and efficacy of SMS-RUF have been tested for treatment and prevention of malnutrition [13][14][15] among children in resource poor settings. The impact of consumption of SMS-RUCF on breast milk intake has also been assessed [16].…”