Comparative assessment of Nutraceutical Potential of Orange Flesh Sweet Potato and Sprouted white sorghum for the management of malnutrition and Micronutrient deficiency in Ekiti state, Southern Nigeria.

ABSTRACTThe increase rate of malnourished children and Adults is alarming during the last few years according to Health Management record in Ekiti State. Malnourished people need to consume adequate calories for growth and maintenance in order to overcome the problem of economic crisis leading to under nutrition or Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM) according to World Health Organization. The increasing rate of population coupled with high cost and dwindling availability of plant foods and animal feeds have resulted into malnourishment. The aim of this study is to compare the beta carotene, nutritive anti-nutrient and antioxidant properties of orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP) and white sorghum (SWSB). The orange flesh sweet potato tubers were washed, dried and processed into flour while white sorghum seeds were washed, sprouted, dried and made into flours. The processed flours were then analyzed for proximate, anti-nutrient, antioxidant properties and Beta carotene content using standard methods. The ash content ranged from 2.59±0.01 in SWSB to 3.29± 0.02 in OFSP, carbohydrate content ranged between 78.82±0.04 in SWSB to 80.42± 0.03 in OFSP. The crude protein ranges from 6.28±0.06 in SWSB to 6.97±0.06 in OFSP all in percentage. OFSP has the highest Beta carotene content with 6.41±0.43mg/100g followed by SWSB with 5.1±0.40mg/100g.Flavonoids value ranged between 7.8±0.01 in OFSP to 32.94±0.05mg/100g in SWSB, the highest DPPH was found in OFSP with 13.78 ±0.02% followed by that of SWSB. The Beta carotene level and antioxidant properties evaluated were all higher in OFSP than SWSB. The Beta carotene and antioxidant properties of all the flour shows that OFSP would be best suitable than that of SWSB to combat micronutrient deficiency, malnutrition and food security in southern part of Nigeria especially in Ondo State. Keywords:  Malnutrition, Nutraceutical, Orange Flesh Sweet Potato, White Sorghum, Sprouted, Antioxidant.