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Agriculture

Fish-Based Composite Flours Show Promise in Reducing Protein-Energy Malnutrition in Malawi

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in infants and young children in Malawi. By developing fish-based composite flours, they have created a nutritious and shelf-stable complementary food that can be used to combat PEM, a major public health concern in developing countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research found that low energy and protein density in complementary foods is the primary cause of PEM among infants and young children in developing countries like Malawi.
  • Fish-based composite flours, made from blends of staple grains maize, soybeans, and fish, were formulated and evaluated for proximate composition, sensory quality, acceptability, and storability.
  • The developed flours showed significant differences in proximate composition, moisture, ash, and crude protein compared to commercially fortified foods and homemade complementary food (Likuni phala).
  • The research concluded that maize-soybean-fish-based composite flours can serve as affordable, nutritious, and shelf-stable complementary foods for children under 24 months.
  • The findings suggest that fish-based complementary diets should be commercialized and prioritized in nutrition policies to reduce PEM in Malawi.
  • The research was conducted by a team of researchers from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, led by Grace Kaunda, and included Agness Mwangwela, Neumerri Geresomo, Emmanuel Kaunda, and Kingdom Simfukwe.
  • The study was published in Cogent Food & Agriculture, a journal published by Taylor & Francis Group.

Statistics:

  • 24 months: The age limit for children who can benefit from the fish-based composite flours.
  • 11(1): The volume and issue number of the journal Cogent Food & Agriculture where the research paper was published.
  • 2025: The year in which the research paper was published.
  • 373: The page number of the news article in Food Weekly News.

Sources:

  • Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2025, 11(1) - http://cogentoa.tandfonline.com/journal/oafa20
  • NewsRx. Studies from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in the Area of Agriculture Described (Proximate composition, acceptability, and shelflife of complementary foods developed from blends of staple grains maize, soybeans, and ...). Food Weekly News. August 28, 2025; p 373.

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