Caterpillar cereal as a potential complementary feeding product for infants and young children: nutritional content and acceptability.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Micronutrient deficiency is an important cause of growth stunting. To avoid micronutrient deficiency, the World Health Organization recommends complementary feeding with animal-source foods. However, animal-source foods are not readily available in many parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In such areas, caterpillars are a staple in adult diets and may be suitable for complementary feeding for infants and young children. We developed a cereal made from dried caterpillars and other locally available ingredients (ground corn, palm oil, sugar and salt), measured its macro- and micronutrient contents and evaluated for microbiologic contamination. Maternal and infant acceptability was evaluated among 20 mothers and their 8-10-month-old infants. Mothers were instructed in the preparation of the cereal and asked to evaluate the cereal in five domains using a Likert scale. Mothers fed their infants a 30-g portion daily for 1 week. Infant acceptability was based on cereal consumption and the occurrence of adverse events. The caterpillar cereal contained 132 kcal, 6.9-g protein, 3.8-mg iron and 3.8-mg zinc per 30 g and was free from microbiologic contamination. Mothers' median ratings for cereal characteristics were (5 = like very much): overall impression = 4, taste = 5, smell = 4, texture = 4, colour = 5, and consistency = 4. All infants consumed more than 75% of the daily portions, with five infants consuming 100%. No serious adverse events were reported. We conclude that a cereal made from locally available caterpillars has appropriate macro- and micronutrient contents for complementary feeding, and is acceptable to mothers and infants in the DRC.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Bauserman, M; Lokangaka, A; Kodondi, K-K; Gado, J; Viera, AJ; Bentley, ME; Engmann, C; Tshefu, A; Bose, C
Published Date
- December 2015
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 11 Suppl 4 /
Start / End Page
- 214 - 220
PubMed ID
- 23557509
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC6628707
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1740-8709
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1111/mcn.12037
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England