Hydrothermally-treated soybean-fortified maize-based nsima (stiff porridge) could contribute towards alleviating seasonal body weight loss in farming communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: This study explored the use of hydrothermally-treated soybean-fortified maize-based stiff porridge (nsima) in managing body weight losses among the farming family community in Malawi during the labour-intensive cropping (growing) season. We hypothesized that soybean-fortified maize-based nsima could prevent seasonal body weight losses in farming communities during labour-intensive seasons better than conventional 100% maize nsima. Research methods & procedures: A single-blind parallel dietary intervention 90-day study. During energy stress months, 42 farming households in Malawi were supplied with 15 kg of blind formulation of soybean-fortified maize flour (soybean: maize, 1:4, wt/wt) per person per month except for under-fives who were allotted half the quantity. Forty households were provided with equivalent quantities of 100% maize flour and served as control. Body weights of participants were taken at baseline and endpoint. Results: After 3 months, the experimental group registered 3.7, 4.2, 2.9, and 5.2% statistically higher body weight compared to the controls for the under-five, the 5-9-year-olds, the 10-19-year-olds, and the >20-year-olds, respectively. Conclusion: Soybean-fortified stiff porridge could feasibly be used to alleviate wasting among the resource-constraint populace in Malawi and many other parts of sub-Saharan Africa that rely on maize as a major staple.

Acceptability of orange corn-common bean as an alternative to corn-soybean complementary porridge in Malawi.

This study assessed the acceptability of porridge from a corn-common bean flour blend to increase the diversity of complementary foods in Malawi. Porridges prepared using commercial corn-soybean flour (C-CSB), homemade orange corn-soybean flour (H-CSB), and orange corn-common bean flour (CCBB) were evaluated by 101 pairs of mothers and their respective children aged from 6 to 24 months. A home use test (HUT) setup was used in this study, and the flours were given sequentially to participating households following a randomized complete block design. Each sample type was evaluated for 3 days in a row followed by a 1-day break (washout period) between sample types. Based on aggregate mean scores, all the samples were liked by both the children and their mothers. However, clustering results revealed two distinct consumer segments for mothers as well as for children. Most of the mothers (59.4% in cluster 1) liked all the samples, while the minority (cluster 2) were neutral (neither like nor dislike) regarding the H-CSB porridge. Likewise, most children (66.3% in cluster 2) liked all the samples, while the rest in cluster 1 did not like CCBB porridge. Infants (≤12 months) and those from food-insecure households, respectively, were 5.42 and 6.75 times more likely to like the CCBB porridge than their counterparts. The study has demonstrated the potential of introducing CCBB complementary porridge in Malawi and possibly in other countries with similar food preferences and socioeconomic stature. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The study provides a solution to the limited diversity of complementary foods in sub-Saharan Africa and Malawi in particular. The findings can help food scientists, nutritionists, marketers, and policymakers develop strategies for promoting the consumption of orange corn-common bean porridge. Furthermore, the findings can inform decisions on commercializing orange corn-common bean flour by flour processors.

Development and Optimization of Peanut-Based Beverages: A Malawian Consumer-Driven Approach.

Development studies of peanut-based beverages have been ongoing for many years, but there are still challenges, especially with their sensory properties and, ultimately, consumer acceptability. As a result, peanut-based beverages are rarely found on the market, even in developed countries. The current study used mixture design and product matching approaches to develop and optimize peanut-based beverages. Sensory drivers of consumer acceptability were also determined. Optimization focused on maximizing overall consumer acceptability by varying two independent variables that constituted 16% of the beverage by weight: peanut paste (PP) and malted milk powder (MMP). The optimal proportions of the PP and any type of MMP, in the two-component mixture, were 0.6 and 0.4, respectively. Maintaining all other factors as constant, model validation results showed that the model could predict overall liking of the peanut-based beverages with 96% accuracy when the proportions of PP and MMP are known. The samples that were perceived, by the consumers, to be thick, creamy, and smooth had significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) overall liking scores than those that were perceived to be watery, grainy, and whitish. Based on the findings, acceptable peanut-based beverages were developed and can be scaled up despite using non-defatted peanuts in the formulation.

Sensory Characterization of Dominant Malawi Peanut Varieties After Roasting.

Although sensory appeal influences peanut consumption, peanut varieties are mostly selected based on agronomic traits. As a result, the sensory properties of peanut varieties, especially in southern Africa, are not known. Therefore, the primary objective of the study was to determine the sensory properties of the Malawi peanut varieties and the volatile compounds associated with roasted peanut flavor. Six dominant Malawi peanut varieties (Chalimbana, CG7, Nsinjiro, Kakoma, Baka, and Chitala) were evaluated in this study. All peanut samples were shelled and then, roasted in a convection oven to reach medium doneness as indicated by the surface color lightness (L) value of approximately 50. A hybrid descriptive analysis (DA) was done to determine the sensory profile of the roasted peanuts. Volatile compounds were extracted from equilibrated ground peanut sample using headspace-solid phase microextraction technique and analyzed by GC-MS. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of the DA data showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the sensory profiles of the peanut varieties. Nsinjiro and Baka had a significantly higher intensity of roasted peanutty aroma and flavor (P < 0.05). The GC-MS results showed that pyrazines and furans were the dominant volatile compounds but, their respective concentrations, in the evaluated peanut varieties, were significantly different (P < 0.05). Among the pyrazines, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl pyrazine was strongly correlated with roasted peanutty flavor (r = 0.927) just like 2,5 dimethyl pyrazine (r = 0.916). Therefore, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl pyrazine and 2,5-dimethyl pyrazine production pathways could provide more insights into the origins of roasted peanut flavor. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The findings of this study can help food product developers, who have no access to sensory and analytical analyses, to identify Malawi peanut varieties that are suitable for various food applications. Furthermore, plant breeders could also use the findings to inform new projects aimed at improving the sensory properties of the peanut varieties.

Consumption of illegal home-made alcohol in Malawi: A neglected public health threat.

This study assessed the ethanol and methanol contents of homemade spirit (Kachasu) sold in Blantyre, Malawi. The likelihood of ethanol and methanol toxicity, respectively, was determined through Monte Carlo simulations using reported Kachasu intake volumes of 21 consumers and the determined methanol and ethanol contents. Ethanol concentration, in samples from 20 different distillers, ranged from 11 to 55% v/v. Methanol was detected in 10 of the 20 samples (0.01-0.28% v/v). The likely mean ethanol intake of drinkers in Blantyre was found to be 214 ± 93 mL per day (90% CI, 68.9-373.4 mL), and mean methanol intake was 0.44 ± 0.37 mL (90% CI, 0.03-1.17 mL). The intake values translated to mean blood ethanol and methanol concentrations of 38 ± 16 mg/mL and 0.05 ± 0.04 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, the risk of methanol toxicity was considered as negligible. However, there was a high risk of ethanol toxicity. Since production and selling of Kachasu are already illegal in Malawi, enforcement of regulations should be strengthened to reverse the current situation where Kachasu is being distilled and sold openly even within cities. Consumers should also be sensitized about the likely risks associated with consumption of Kachasu in Malawi so that they can make informed choices.