Preparation, chemical composition and shelf life of high protein food based on groundnut protein isolate.

The diets consumed by weaned infants and
young children belonging to the low income
groups of the population in several countries
in the tropical and subtropical regions consist
predominantly of cereals, roots and tubers and
contain negligible amounts of protective and
protein-rich foods such as milk, eggs, meat and
fish1. Such diets are deficient in proteins,
certain vitamins and minerals and the incidence
of protein malnutrition is high particularly
among young children1,2. Considerable progress
has been made during the last 5 years in
the development of processed foods based on
protein-rich materials of vegetable origin such
as oilseed meals and legumes suitable for
supplementing the diets of children3,6. Recent
investigations have shown that groundnut
protein isolate could be used for the preparation
of infant foods and also for protein foods
suitable for treatment of protein malnutrition
in children7-9. The present paper deals with
studies on the preparation and shelf-life of a
high protein food based on groundnut protein
isolate fortified with essential minerals and
vitamins.