MINERAL AND HEAVY METAL PROFILE OF A MODIFIED BAMBARA GROUNDNUT BASED PASTE READY TO USE THERAPEUTIC FOOD (RUTF)

ABSTRACT Over 50 million children globally are affected by severe acute malnutrition (SAM), which is a leading cause of mortality among children under five years of age. RUTF is an energy dense paste used for the treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). This work examined the heavy metal contamination and mineral content of modified Bambara-groundnut based Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). This study produced four samples of modified Bambara nut based RUTF from a blend of locally available ingredients such as Bambara nuts, Groundnut, Dates flesh, Crayfish, Fennel seed, Vegetable oil and Micronutrient powder using different processing methods for each sample. Using an atomic absorption spectrophotometry, the mineral contents of the samples such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc, copper, and magnesium were determined. The concentrations of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic were also evaluated in order to guarantee the safety of the product. The roasted sample had the lowest mineral concentrations, according to the results, with Na, K, P, Fe, Ca, Zn, Cu and Mg showing 85.51mg/kg, 943.01 mg/kg, 273.68 mg/kg, 4.71, 10.62 mg/kg, 2.02mg/kg, 0.00mg/kg and 13.48mg/kg respectively. Whereas the germinated sample displayed the highest potassium and phosphorus content 982.01mg/kg and 309.01mg/kg respectively. Results of heavy metals showed that Lead and cadmium levels were found to be within the acceptable limit, which ranged between 0.06mg/kg to 0.13mg/kg and 0.13mg/kg to 0.25mg/kg respectively. While no sample was found to be free from both mercury and arsenic. According to these results, the modified Bambara groundnut-based RUTF was rich in micronutrient and had a tolerable level of heavy metals.