Vegetable substituted tuna nuggets and changes in nutrient content during frozen storage

Abstract

Malnutrition in children will affect their growth, causing a decrease in study skills and immunity. Considering the issues, overcoming the nutritional issues of babies and toddlers by giving food supplements is mandatory. Innovations in making food supplements basically from fish aim to increase the number of nutritions such as protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which contribute to the development of body organ function. This research is aimed to know the changes in iron, beta carotene, and zinc during storage. The research design is experimental. The first stage is making tuna nuggets which are substituted with pumpkin, broccoli, and red beans. Furthermore, the analysis of nutrients before and after storage in the freezer for 3 months. There was a decrease in beta carotene levels in pumpkin tuna nuggets, broccoli tuna, and red bean tuna, 34.5%, 14.2%, and 9.6%, respectively. There was an increase in the iron content of pumpkin tuna nuggets, broccoli tuna, and red bean tuna as much as 65.2%, 7.1%, and 30%, respectively. There was a decrease in zinc levels in pumpkin tuna and broccoli tuna nuggets as much as 23.6% and 78.8%, respectively. There was an increase in zinc levels in red bean tuna nuggets as much as 46.3%. Storage of nuggets in frozen conditions in the freezer for 3 months causes changes in beta carotene, iron, and zinc levels.