K-SARAP Mix: Bridging Filipino Culinary Heritage and Nutrition in Food Supplementation for Preschool Children

Rosalinda Abuy

doi:10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.421

Authors

Rosalinda Abuy Southern Luzon State University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1935-5835

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.421

Keywords:

Development, Food Supplement, K- Sarap Mix, Preschool children, Nutritional Analysis, Physicochemical Analyses

Abstract

This study developed K-Sarap Mix, a nutritious food supplement for preschool children, particularly those who are undernourished or experiencing stunted growth. The selected grains and vegetables for K-Sarap Mix underwent physicochemical analyses (moisture, water activity, lead test) and microbiological tests (total plate count, molds, yeast, thermotolerant coliform, total coliform, and Escherichia coli). Grain and vegetable selection considered macro- and micronutrient content, local availability, affordability, and moisture levels. K-Sarap Mix is composed of rice (Oryza sativa), mung beans (Vigna radiata), acorn squash (Cucurbita maxima), and upland kangkong (Ipomea reptans). The resulting powder mixture is green in color, with a leafy odor, slightly sweet taste, and fine mouthfeel. Its formulation was guided by the 2018 Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI) for preschoolers (ages 3–5) established by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FNRI). K-Sarap Mix successfully passed all physicochemical and microbiological tests. Nutritional analysis revealed it is rich in macro- and micronutrients, providing 359.97 kcal/100 g, with total carbohydrates of 74.27%, protein of 50.56 kcal/100 g, and fat content of 25–35%. Key micronutrients include calcium (47.33 mg/100 g), sodium (15.80 mg/100 g), and B-complex vitamins: B1 thiamine (5.78 mg/100 g), B3 niacin (2.82 mg/100 g), B5 pantothenic acid (1.24 mg/100 g), and B6 pyridoxine (0.42 mg/100 g). Sensory evaluation using a 5-point Hedonic Sensory Scale with smiley faces for children and a 7-point Hedonic Scale for experts showed K-Sarap Mix was “liked very much” by preschoolers and rated highly acceptable by experts.

References

[1] Adair, L. S., Fall, C. H. D., Osmond, C., Stein, A. D., Martorell, R., Ramirez-Zea, M., Sachdev, H. S., Dahly, D. L., Bas, I., Norris, S. A., Micklesfield, L., Hallal, P., & Victora, C. G. (2013). Associations of linear growth and relative weight gain during early life with adult health and human capital in countries of low and middle income: Findings from five birth cohort studies. The Lancet, 382(9891), 525–534. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60103-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60103-8

[2] Agrawal, R. (2005). Probiotics: An emerging food supplement with health benefits. Food Biotechnology, 19(3), 227–246. https://doi.org/10.1080/08905430500316474 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08905430500316474

[3] Bilgi, E., Homan Gokce, E., Bayir, E., Sendemir, A., Ozer, K. O., & Hames Tuna, E. E. (2021). Bacterial cellulose-based facial mask with antioxidant property and high moisturizing capacity. Cellulose, 28(16), 10399–10413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-021-04031-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-021-04106-z

[4] Brillet, B., Petiot, S., Iochmann, S., Gaud, G., Planque, C., Blechet, C., Heuze-Vourc’h, N., Gruel, Y., Courty, Y., & Reverdiau, P. (2008). Tumor-stromal cell interactions modulate metalloproteinase and kallikrein expression in direct and indirect co-culture cell models. Revue des Maladies Respiratoires, 25(9), 1167. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0761-8425(08)75015-0

[5] Candelli, M., Franza, L., Pignataro, G., Ojetti, V., Covino, M., Piccioni, A., Gasbarrini, A., & Franceschi, F. (2021). Interaction between lipopolysaccharide and gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(12), 6242. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126242 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126242

[6] Del Mundo, J. R., & Chua, C. M. (2017). The effectiveness of vegetable-based supplementary feeding among undernourished preschool children in rural communities. Philippine Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, 54(1), 21–34.

[7] Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2015). [Webpage]. Department of Science and Technology. https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/159-fnri-launches-the-philippine-dietary-reference-intakes

[8] Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2018). 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS): Anthropometric survey component. Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute. https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph

[9] Garg, P., Rosal, A., & Baldevarona, J. (2019). Dietary diversity and nutrient intake among Filipino preschoolers: Implications for food-based interventions. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 28(3), 565–573. https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.201909_28(3).0017

[10] Gradisnik, L., Filipic, B., de Vaureix, C., Lefevre, F., La Bonnardiere, C., & Cencic, A. (2006). Establishment of a functional cell culture model of the pig small intestine, LINZ, ALTEX 23. ALTEX: Alternatives to Animal Experimentation, 23(2), 94–98.

[11] Kakon, A., Choudhury, M. B. K., & Saha, S. (2012). Mushroom is an ideal food supplement. Journal of Dhaka National Medical College & Hospital, 18(1), 58–62. https://doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12243 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12243

[12] Kim, K., Park, E.-Y., Baek, D.-J., Jang, S.-E., & Oh, Y.-S. (2021). Gryllus bimaculatus extract protects against lipopolysaccharide-derived inflammatory response in human colon epithelial Caco-2 cells. Insects, 12(10), 873. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12100873 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12100873

[13] Lin, S., Zhang, H., Wang, X., Lin, T., Chen, Z., Liu, J., & Wang, J. (2021). Abundance of lipopolysaccharide heptosyltransferase I in human gut microbiome and its association with cardiovascular disease and liver cirrhosis. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 752708. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.752708 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.756976

[14] Novita, D., Manera, A., & Saboya, R. (2024). Global education through local lenses: A qualitative study on teaching practices in the Philippines and Indonesia toward achieving SDG 4. Studies in Interdisciplinary Horizons, 1(1), 11–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.64358/tef4gh32

[15] Onis, M., et al. (2016). Levels & trends in child malnutrition. UNICEF–WHO–The World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates (pp. 9–14). ISBN 9789241504515

[16] Provincial Nutrition Action Office. (2018). Provincial nutrition report of Quezon Province. Provincial Government of Quezon.

[17] Raman, R. (2018). 10 impressive benefits of mung beans.

[18] Save the Children. (2016). Malnutrition in the Philippines: Scale, scope, and solutions. Save the Children Philippines. https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net

[19] United Nations Children’s Fund. (2018). UNICEF annual report 2017. https://www.unicef.org/supply/files/Unicef_Annual_report_2017

[20] Wassenaar, T. M., Juncos, V. A., & Zimmermann, K. (2021). Interactions between the gut microbiome, lung conditions, and coronary heart disease and how probiotics affect these. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(18), 9700. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189700 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189700

[21] World Health Organization. (2018). Global nutrition report 2018: Shining a light to spur action on nutrition. Development Initiatives. https://globalnutritionreport.org

[22] World Vision International. (2016). Nutrition: A foundation for development. https://www.wvi.org

[23] World Vision Philippines. (n.d.). https://www.worldvision.org.ph