Multigrain noodles: nutritional fitness and cost effectiveness for Indian Mid-Day Meal

Multigrain soy enriched noodles were formulated from the blend of refined wheat (62.2%), sorghum (24.6%) and soy flour (13.2%) which might be used as a complementary food to meet the nutritional requirements of primary and upper primary class children as recommended in Mid-Day Meal scheme by Government of India. Multigrain noodles were evaluated for nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and in vitro protein digestibility in comparison with refined wheat noodles and Mid-Day Meal recipes. Results indicated that multigrain noodles had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher protein (19.10 ± 0.63%) and dietary fibre (5.48 ± 0.04%) than refined wheat noodles (14.82 ± 0.95%, 0.00) and Mid-Day Meal recipes. Developed noodles revealed good total phenolic content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity and higher protein digestibility (85.57 ± 1.42 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/100 g, 19.64 ± 0.20% and 95.57 ± 0.33%). The production cost of multigrain noodles was found to be lower ($1.57/kg) lower than conventional noodles. Hence, these protein-fibre rich noodles when offered in 115.5 g (primary level) and 179.75 g (upper primary level) packaging may substantially improve the nutrition of school children. Comparison of Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), multigrain noodles could satisfy 20.5% of the energy and 55.3% of the protein requirements at primary level, for upper primary level; they will meet 25.5% energy and 63.2% protein requirement. Owing to high dietary fibre, the developed noodles may be claimed as a fibre-rich food, which provides various health benefits associated with consumption of dietary fibre rich product.