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Physico-Chemical, Functional, and Sensory Properties of an Optimized Pro-Vitamin A Maize and Iron-Rich Bean Composite Flour
(2025-11-07) Fungo, R et al
Biofortification is a strategy that has been proven to not only reduce the prevalence of micro-nutrient
deficiencies, but also to tackle other forms of malnutrition. Apart from increasing the concentration
of the target nutrient, biofortification has also been found to improve the concentration of other
nutrients in the plant. However, the effectiveness of these crops in alleviating malnutrition largely
depends on consumer uptake and acceptability and this can partly be achieved by including flour
from biofortified crops as major components of composite flours. This study aimed at assessing the
physio-chemical, functional and sensory properties of a composite iron rich bean based
complementary flour optimized with pro-vitamin A bio-fortified maize composite flour. The optimized
composite flour was made from bio-fortified maize, sesame, soy, sorghum, wheat and beans flours.
In comparison to the control, the composite flour blend containing pro-vitamin A-rich maize and iron-
rich beans, had a significantly higher (p <0.05) protein level of 11.9% and increased concentrations
of vitamin A (1.6 μg/g), iron (6.0 mg/100g), and zinc (2.5 mg/100g) compared to the white maize-
based complementary flour. The optimized flour also had lower (p<0.05) anti-nutrient levels with a
moisture content (10.3%), fiber (3.1%), carbohydrates (66.3%), ash (2.8%) and a fat content (5.6%).
The optimized composite generally showed better functional properties. With an overall sensory
acceptability score of 7.1, the optimized composite porridge showed no significant difference from
the other composites. Therefore, bio-fortified maize when used as part of the components for
composite flour not only increases pro-vitamin A content but also improves its overall nutrient
composition and therefore help in tackling other forms of malnutrition
Optimization of Formulation for Production of Nutrient Enhanced Noodles Containing Sorghum, Cowpea and Wheat
(2025-09-17) Muwanguzi, B; Asiimwe, A; Muyonga, J. H
The demand and consumption of noodles has increased globally and is attributable to the rising
demand for affordable, convenient and shelf stable foods. Nevertheless, most noodles available on
the market are low in nutritional value, consisting mainly of starch. This study aimed to develop an
optimal formulation for production of nutrient enhanced noodles with sorghum and cowpea as
ingredients. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimal formulation
for production of noodles. Independent variables included content of wheat flour, sorghum and
cowpea whereas the response variables included protein content and acid detergent fiber. The
relationship between the independent and response variables followed a linear model (for acid
detergent fiber) and reduced cubic model (for protein content), with respective R2 values of 0.5593
and 0.7111. Both models had an insignificant lack of fit (P > 0.05). With the use of numerical
optimization, the optimal formulation was found to comprise 55% wheat, 36 sorghum% and 9%
cowpea flour. Noodles produced using this optimal formulation contained 16.01% protein and
2.08% acid detergent fiber with a desirability function of 0.811. On validation of results, there was
no significant difference (P <0.05) between the predicted and observed values. The nutrient
enriched noodles had significantly higher protein, crude fiber and crude fat in comparison to wheat-
only noodles. The developed noodles were found acceptable (overall acceptability of 6.17 on a 9-
point hedonic scale). The findings of the study show the potential of using sorghum and cowpea as
major ingredients for nutritious noodles
Optimization of Provitamin A Maize and Iron-Rich Bean-Based Composite Flour for Improved Child Nutrition
(Wiley, 2025-12-15) Asiimwe, A et al
Bio-fortification is a strategy that has been proven to not only reduce the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, but also to
tackle other forms of malnutrition. Therefore, the inclusion of flour from bio-fortified crops as major components of composite
flours can significantly alleviate malnutrition. In this study, the effect of replacing white maize with provitamin A bio-fortified
maize in a bean-based composite flour was studied. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the nutrient composi-
tion and overall sensory acceptability of the composite flour. Design Expert 2018 (Version 12) was used to generate 30 treatments
where provitamin A, iron, phytate concentration, and overall acceptability were considered as the response variables. Six locally
available cereals and legumes were considered as independent variables and were included in the composite flour at different
levels. Bio-fortified maize was included at a level between 50% and 60%, high iron-rich beans at 15%–20%, sesame at 5%–10%, soy
at 10%–15%, wheat and sorghum at 5% each. An optimal formulation of the composite was achieved with 57.89% maize, 17.11%
beans, 5% sesame flour, 10% soy bean flour, and 5% of each of the wheat and sorghum flour. The respective values for provitamin
A, iron, phytate content, and overall acceptability for the optimal formulation were 1.58 μg/g RAE of beta carotene, 6.0 mg/100 g
of iron, 54.20 mg/100 g of phytates, and overall acceptability at 7.10 respectively. All models predicting these values were satis-
factory and had a nonsignificant lack of fit (p < 0.05). This indicated the suitability of each model in predicting the responses and
optimizing the formulation for the production of a quality provitamin A maize-iron bean-based composite flour.
Feeds and feeding dynamics among chicken farmers and feed millers: insights into practices, quality, and challenges in selected districts of Uganda
(Discover Agriculture, 2025) Nampanzira, Dorothy K et al....
Adequate chicken feed in terms of quantity and quality are foundations of successful
chicken production. A cross sectional survey was conducted in 10 districts of Uganda, with a total of 320 poultry farmers and 59 feed millers participating in this study. Data on socio demographic characteristics, feedstuffs used in chicken feed production, seasonal availability of feedstuffs, mixing of feed stuffs, challenges faced in chicken production and perception of chicken producers and feed millers on feeds quality were analyzed. Results revealed that 54.7% of the farmer respondents were females, while 62.7% of the feed miller respondents were males. Broilers followed by layers and kuroiler were the major types of chickens reared by both groups of respondents. White maize and maize bran were the major energy sources while fishmeal was the main protein feedstuff in chicken diets. About 59.7% of the chicken producers used commercial feeds while 71.4% of the feed millers used self-compounded feeds. Gender significantly influenced methods used to check quality, particularly asking fellow farmers (X2 = 4.01, P < 0.0045). Education played a significant role in shaping farmers’ understanding of high quality feed. Farmers with higher levels of education primarily defined good feed quality by the absence of foul smell (X2 = 9.72, P < 0.017). Price fluctuation and low-quality feeds and feed ingredients
were identified as their major challenges. Organoleptic tests and farmer-to-farmer
information sharing were the major methods used to check the quality of feeds.
Quality chicken feed meant different things to chicken producers and feed millers. Both chicken producers and feed millers were aware of feed and feed ingredient adulteration.
Experiences of elderly women caring for people living with HIV and AIDS in Masindi District, Uganda
(Taylor and Francis, 2020) Kyomuhendo, Clare; Boateng, Alice; Agyemang, F.Akosau
HIV/AIDS prevalence among adults aged 15–49 is increasingly affecting elderly women as
caregivers. This study explored the experiences of elderly women caring for people living with HIV/AIDS in Masindi District, Uganda. Employing qualitative methods, 24 participants (18 elderly women caregivers and 6 key informants) were purposively selected. Data was collected from indepth face-to-face interviews and analysed thematically. Findings revealed that participants performed numerous roles, resulting in economic, psychological, social and physical challenges.
Coping strategies employed are problem and emotion-focused. Elderly women caring for HIV/AIDS persons will benefit from direct intervention and support services.