Proximate and Vitamin Composition of Selected Cereals Commonly Used for Weaning Babies’ Food Preparation in South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Four different cereal products commonly used in the preparation of weaning babies’ food in Nigeria were analyzed for their vitamin and proximate composition to weigh their suitability as weaning foods for growing infants in Nigeria. The cereals were processed individually into dry powdered form which was used for the analysis. Zea mays (Yellow maize) had the highest concentration of moisture, ash, crude fibre and fat as compared to the other cereals. Except for thymine, Zea mays also contained the highest concentration of all the vitamins tested. It however, had the least concentration of carbohydrate among the tested cereals. Triticum aestivum (Common wheat) possessed the highest amount of protein among the cereals and is also considerably rich in vitamin A which is required for proper development of vision in children. Sorghum bicolor (Guinea corn) was found to be rich in vitamin C while Oriza sativa contained the least of all nutrients and vitamins tested except carbohydrate and dry matter. Zea mays may thus be considered a good weaning cereal for infants in this part of the world. Triticum aestivum which is rich in protein may also be in cooperated into babies’ weaning foods to enhance proper growth and development in infants. Oriza sativa may not be an ideal cereal for the weaning of infants.

Keywords: proximate, vitamin, composition, weaning, cereals.