Utilisation of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato in the Production of Vitamin A-Rich Complementary Foods for Infants in Plateau State

Vitamin A deficiency remains a critical public health problem among infants and young children in rural Nigeria, contributing to increased susceptibility to infections and impaired visual development. Orange-fleshed sweet potato is a rich source of beta-carotene and represents a locally available and affordable raw material for vitamin A-rich complementary food production. This study evaluated the use of orange-fleshed sweet potato in producing vitamin A-rich complementary foods for infants in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. An experimental design was adopted, with complementary food formulations developed from blends of orange-fleshed sweet potato, soybean flour, and moringa leaf powder at varying substitution levels. Proximate composition, beta-carotene content, and sensory properties were determined. Fifty lactating mothers served as sensory panellists. Results showed that all formulations exceeded the minimum protein and energy requirements for infant complementary foods. Beta-carotene content increased proportionally with sweet potato inclusion. The blend containing 60 percent sweet potato, 30 percent soybean, and 10 percent moringa recorded the highest nutrient density and was most preferred by panellists for colour and taste. The study recommends the promotion of orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivation and its incorporation into household complementary food preparation practices in Plateau State. Keywords: orange-fleshed sweet potato, vitamin A, complementary food, infants, Plateau State