DEVELOPMENT AND COMPARATIVE NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS OF SPIRULINA FORTIFIED COOKIES FOR MALNOURISHED CHILDREN AND WOMEN IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION: Spirulina is a blue green algae having very good nutritional value. It also has many therapeutic properties such as hypocholestrolemic, antiviral and antiglutagenic effects. Due to its high Phytonutrients and pigment content it is used for preparing functional foods. The use of spirulina as a protein complement in populations with food shortages is considered as feasible as it presents several advantages when compared with other agricultural products, in the same area the spirulina produces 20 times more proteins than soya, recently spirulina acquired significant importance. Spirulina typically contains about 60% protein, it is a good source of vitamin B₁₂, copper and it contains iron. Spirulina protein is low in calories. There are 3.9 calories per gram of protein found in spirulina, which can be compared to 65 calories per gram of protein in beef.

METHODS: Cookies were prepared by mixing spirulina powder along with other ingredients by the researcher. A control sample was also prepared. Both the cookies were assessed for their nutritional content.

RESULTS: After analysis, it was found that cookies fortified with spirulina were significantly high in various nutrients. The spirulina fortified cookies contained 2.55 percent moisture, 6.25 percent proteins, 20.43 percent fat, 1.18 percent crude fibre, 4.07 percent ash, 288.98 percent calcium, 115.92 percent phosphorus and 3.94 percent iron whereas control samples contained 2.77 percent moisture, 4.49 percent proteins, 17.59 percent fat, 0.68 percent crude fibre, 3.08 percent ash, 214.15 percent calcium, 54.34 percent phosphorus, 1.87 percent iron respectively. 

CONCLUSIONS: Better quality of spirulina fortified cookies would prove to be a good supplement for malnourished children and specially undernourished women in India. Women suffering from various deficiency disorders, especially when they are at pre-menopausal stage, also others like lactating women could benefit from the consumption of these cookies on a daily basis.