Studies on a Processed Protein Food Based on a Blend of Groundnut Flour and Full-Fat Soya Flour fortified with Essential Amino Acids, Vitamins and Minerals V. Effect of Supplementary Protein Food on the Metabolism of Nitrogen, Calcium and Phosphorus in Undernourished Children Subsisting on a Rice

Abstract

In earlier publications from this laboratory, Joseph et al and Kurien et al. have reported that undernourished children subsisting on poor Indian diets based mainly on rice, jowar (Sorghum vulgare), ragi (Eleucine coracana) and bajra (Hennisetum typhoideum) maintained on an average, slight positive nitrogen and calcium balances, which were inadequate for promoting optimum growth of the children. Supplementation of a poor rice diet daily with 2 oz of a processed protein food based on a 2 : 1 : 1 olend of groundnut flour, Bengalgram flour and low-fat coconut meal or with 50g of fortified groundnut flour, made up tne deficiencies in the diet, and brought about a significant increase in the growth and nutritional status and also in the retention of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus in children.