RETENTION OF Β-CAROTENE IN CREAM-FLESHED SWEETPOTATO-BASED COMPLEMENTARY FOOD STORED IN DIFFERENT CONTAINERS UNDER SIMULATED TROPICAL TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

Abstract

The stability of β-carotene in cream-fleshed sweetpotato-based complementary food stored in three different containers under simulated tropical temperature of 32°C and 85% relative humidity in an environmental chamber for 24 weeks was investigated. The formulation stored in a metallised polyester film in a refrigerator (approximately 3.0°C and 95% rela- tive humidity) retained about 81% of β-carotene at 24 weeks, with no significant change in the moisture content. The formulation stored in either a metallised polyester film or a translucent polypropylene container placed in the environ- mental chamber retained approximately half of the β-carotene at 24 weeks, with a slight increase in moisture content. However, the formulation held in a transparent low-density polyethylene bag had the lowest β-carotene retention (37%) and the highest moisture content at week 24. Within the limits of this study, it has been demonstrated that β-carotene in cream-fleshed sweetpotato-based complementary food was well retained when moisture uptake was minimised.