Proximate and Antinutrient Composition of Infant Food Formulated using Yellow Maize, Soyabean and Moringa Leaves

Abstract

This study investigated the proximate and antinutrient composition of infant complementary food formulated from yellow maize (Zea mays), soybean (Glycine max), and Moringa leaf powder (Moringa oleifera) in three blend ratios: R65 (65:30:5), R60 (60:30:10), and R55 (55:30:15). Standard procedures as outlined by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2005) were employed to determine the contents of moisture, ash, crude fibre, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and selected antinutrients—phytate, tannin, and oxalate. All formulations met the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits for infant complementary foods. Among the blends, R60 recorded the highest protein (21.08%), lipid (8.55%), and energy content (407.55 kcal/100 g), while maintaining moderate antinutrient levels: phytate (9.25%), tannin (9.22%), and oxalate (189.08 mg/100 g). R55 exhibited the highest carbohydrate content (62.60%) and tannin concentration (12.74%), whereas R65 had the highest fibre (5.88%) and ash (7.65%) content but the lowest energy value (387.03 kcal/100 g).