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Abstract
The main goal of the project was to develop a nutritious and acceptable peanut-based beverage as a way of promoting peanut consumption and management of undernutrition in Malawi. To achieve this goal, six studies were conducted. The first and second studies were aimed at understanding the factors influencing food choices and peanut consumption in Malawi. Mood, health, price, preparation convenience, sensory appeal, and familiarity were the main factors influencing the food choices of Malawian consumers. The diversity of peanut products was limited, and demographic and socioeconomic variables had significant effects (p < 0.05) on peanut product preferences. The third study focused on sensory characterization of key Malawi peanut varieties. A Virginia peanut variety (ICGV-SM 90704), locally known as Nsinjiro, had the desired properties and therefore, was used for the beverage formulation. In the fourth study, a mixture of xanthan gum (66%) and lecithin (34%), at a usage level of 0.5% by weight of the beverage, was identified as the best colloidal stabilization system for the peanut beverage. Study five focused on optimizing the peanut-beverage formulation and determining consumer acceptability of the beverage prototypes. The optimal concentrations of peanut paste and malted milk powder, in a two-component mixture (16% of beverage by weight), were 60% and 40%, respectively. Finally, nutrient compositions of the two highly acceptable (overall liking score 7.5) peanut-based beverages were determined. One of the beverages (PBV-SMMP) had sorghum malted milk powder while the other (PBV-BMMP) had barley malted milk powder in addition to peanut paste, sugar, salt, xanthan gum, and water. The PBV-SMMP had a better nutrient profile than PBV-BMMP. A 237-mL (8 oz.) serving of the PBV-SMMP was an excellent source (% DV 20) of high-quality protein, total dietary fiber, phosphorus, calcium, molybdenum, and manganese and also, a good source (10 % DV< 20) of potassium and magnesium. Based on acceptability results, both PBV-BMMP and PBV-SMMP can potentially increase peanut consumption in Malawi and in other countries where the beverages could be equally acceptable. Subsequently, the PBV-SMMP may help in the management of undernutrition given its nutritional profile.