ADDING ALPHA-AMYLASE TO WEANING FOOD TO INCREASE DIETARY-INTAKE IN CHILDREN - A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

The addition of alpha-amylase to a food supplement for weaning-age chi ldren was proposed as an alternative to traditionally prepared Amylase -Rich Foods (ARF) for reducing the dietary hulk of weaning diets, In a self-controlled clinical trial including 30 healthy children, aged 10 -24 months, the effect of the addition of alpha-amylase and extra cere al to a diet including three meals, was determined in terms of dietary intake, A mean increased intake of 23.8 per cent in energy and 10.4 p er cent in protein was found. The addition of commercial alpha-amylase to maize-based weaning foods is a useful method of increasing the nut ritional value of weaning diets.