Biofortified Cassava with Pro-Vitamin A Is Sensory and Culturally Acceptable for Consumption by Primary School Children in Kenya

Elise F Talsma,Brenda P H De Kok,Gloria N K Mbera,Alice M Mwangi,Alida Melse-Boonstra,Inge D Brouwer,Sten H Vermund

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073433

Elise F Talsma, Brenda P H De Kok + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0073433

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Aug 30, 2013
Citations: 51	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Wageningen University & Research, University of Nairobi

Abstract

BackgroundBiofortification of cassava with pro-vitamin A can potentially reduce vitamin A deficiency in low-income countries. However, little is known about consumer acceptance of this deep yellow variety of cassava compared to the commonly available white varieties. We aimed to determine the sensory and cultural acceptability of the consumption of pro-vitamin A rich cassava in order to identify key factors predicting the intention to consume pro-vitamin A rich cassava by families with school-aged children in Eastern Kenya.MethodsSensory acceptability was measured by replicated discrimination tests and paired preference tests among 30 children (7–12 yr) and 30 caretakers (18–45 yr) in three primary schools. Cultural acceptability was assessed with a questionnaire based on the combined model of The Theory of Planned Behavior and The Health Belief Model in one primary school among 140 caretakers of children aged 6 to 12 years. Correlations and multivariate analyses were used to determine associations between summed scores for model constructs.ResultsCaretakers and children perceived a significant difference in taste between white and pro-vitamin A rich cassava. Both preferred pro-vitamin A rich cassava over white cassava because of its soft texture, sweet taste and attractive color. Knowledge about pro-vitamin A rich cassava and it's relation to health (‘Knowledge’ ((β = 0.29, P = <.01)) was a strong predictor of ‘Health behavior identity’. Worries related to bitter taste and color (‘Perceived barriers 1’ (β = −0.21, P = .02)), the belief of the caretaker about having control to prepare cassava (‘Control beliefs’ (β = 0.18, P = .02)) and activities like information sessions about pro-vitamin A rich cassava and recommendations from health workers (‘Cues to action’(β = 0.51, P = <.01)) were the best predictors of intention to consume pro-vitamin A rich cassava.ConclusionsPro-vitamin A rich cassava is well accepted by school children in our study population.

Highlights

Biofortification of crops can increase the micronutrient content using traditional breeding methods or modern biotechnology
The betabinominal model was used for caretakers and the binomial model for children in the discrimination test. Both caretakers and children were able to detect a significant difference between provitamin A rich and white cassava: 180 difference tests were administered in both groups and 130 correct answers were observed for the caretakers and 89 for the children (Table 2)
Out of the 30 answers in both groups, 22 caretakers and 21 children had a preference for pro-vitamin A rich cassava (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Biofortification of crops can increase the micronutrient content using traditional breeding methods or modern biotechnology. Biofortification of staple foods with micronutrients is regarded as a sustainable approach to reduce micronutrient malnutrition. It could potentially benefit people in rural and remote areas with limited access to alternative possible interventions such as supplementation or introducing fortified food products [1,2,3]. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health problem among young children and pregnant women in low-income countries. Biofortification of cassava with pro-vitamin A can potentially reduce vitamin A deficiency in low-income countries.

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