Nutritional Composition and Sensorial Analysis of Amaranth Seed-based Food Products

Background: The preconception period plays a crucial role in women’s lives. Nutritional status during this period impacts maternal and child health. Intake of optimal macro and micronutrients is essential for women during the preconception period, to prevent deficiencies like anaemia and metabolic disorders during pregnancy. Methods: Two amaranth-based food products were developed and sensory evaluation with a 9-point hedonic scale and physicochemical analysis was conducted. A survey among 100 women of reproductive ages at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Kaiwara, Chikkaballapur was conducted in August 2023 for 1 month. Result: The survey revealed 99% were willing to consume these products for minimum three months. Based on preferences, sweet and savoury products were developed. Nearly 50% and 54% of participants had good overall acceptability for the sweet and savoury, respectively, with none disliking it. A significant preference of texture and taste was seen for the savoury. Higher carbohydrate, fibre, protein and iron contents were present in the sweet (43.42 g/100 g; 14.84 g/100 g; 23.32 g/100 g; 13 mg/100 g respectively). Savoury was higher in energy, crude fat and calcium (563 kcal/100 g, 35.55 g/100 g and 700 mg/100 g respectively). Their positive reception in rural communities suggests they can enhance dietary diversity and health among WRAs.