Spirulina : A Solution to micronutrient deficiencies in children particularly 0-5 years. Spirulina Program Antenna India, Madurai(TN)

Transcription

1 Spirulina : A Solution to micronutrient deficiencies in children particularly 0-5 years Spirulina Program Antenna India, Madurai(TN) Selvendran Duraikkannan 1

2 Rationale: The reason for the micronutrient deficiencies are Lack of diversity No cost effective supplement Inadequate awareness to Pregnant mothers No proper awareness to the mothers of children 0-5yrs. 2

3 Objective: To improve and to reach RDA of micronutrients in malnourished children. To supplement Iron, Vitamin-A and Zinc rich Spirulina in natural and cost effective manner to the children of low income families. 3

4 Materials and Methods: WHO confirmed Spirulina is able to be administered to children with out any risk and consider it a very suitable food. (United Nations World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland June 8 th, 1993). Antenna India s contribution is To produce Spirulina locally in a cost effective manner with the aim to combat malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. 4

5 Spirulina: Arthrospira Platensis Blue Green AlgaeCyanobacteria Aquatic Microscopic (apx 350µm) Multi cellular 5

6 Essential Micronutrients in Spirulina COMPONENT ANTENNA CHILD (0-12) CHILD (1-5) SPIRULINA CONTENT (Qty / gm) MONTHS Percentage (%) YEARS Percentage (%) Pro vitamin A 1.4 mg * Iron 1.8 mg 64* 24* Zinc 0.3 mg 7* 5* Phycocyanin 150 mg - - GLA 13 mg - - With all essential Amino Acids D * Average percentage value mentioned Ref : 1. Braunwald E, Fauci A, Kasper D & cols. Harrison 15th Ed. Principles of Internal Medicine. McGrawHill Med.Pub.Div Document official OMS. Aspects sanitaires et nutritionnels des oligo lements en traces. Eds. OMS Geneve

7 Antenna s SPIRULINA FEEDING PROGRAMS YEAR Spirulina chikkies % of SPI- Production distribution used for Feeding No of Beneficiary Children Program 2009 (till Sep) % % % Selection of a village, schools Awareness to staffs & Parents (mainly to mothers) Selection of malnourished children (3-5year old) Distribution of Spirulina fortified chikkies (1 gm Spirulina / child / day) Period: Children are fed from 6 months to one year time 7

8 STEPS INVOLVED IN SPIRULINA CHIKKI PRODUCTION SPIRULINA - PRODUCTION TANKS COLLECTING DRIED SPIRULINA SPIRULINA POWDER HARVESTING- SPIRULINA FROM TANK SPIRULINA - FLAKES CHECKING - SPIRULINA QUALITY CHIKKI SPIRULINA - WET SLURRY GRINDING - SPIRULINA FLAKES SPIRULINA INCORPORATED 8

9 Spirulina supplementation at less than a rupee per child(0-5 yrs) per Spirulina Chikkies daychikki MAKING COST distribution to children [as on September 2009] Details Rs. Puffed rice 0.02 Jaggery 0.14 Spirulina 0.50 Labor 0.02 Others (Oil, Flavor, Wood, Water, Mouth cap, etc ) 0.05 Packaging Material 0.02 Depreciation (Utensils, shed, Chimney) 0.01 Transportation 0.02 Awareness, consultations, Transportation, Record maintenance etc., 0.20 Total Cost /Chikki / Child / Day

10 Spirulina Studies on child nutrition in ICDS Madurai. SPIRULINA-A NUTRITION BOOSTER: Study paper Presented in 7th world congress on clinical nutrition By Professor Dr.N.Edwin MD,DCH and Dr.Thinakarvel (Madurai Medical College,Madurai-20 TN,India) Children were given 1 gram spirulina per day for continuous six weeks has shown significant results. Clinical improvement: anthropometry blood hemoglobulin,serum proteins, serum total iron and iron binding capacity, serum ferritin and serum retinol were estimated before and after the study. 10

11 Remarkable health benefits of SPIRULINA 1 to 2 grams - reduces Iron deficiency anemia significantly. β-carotene overcome sufficiently eye defects caused by VAD. Zinc - combats zinc deficiency disorders. Easily digestible and absorbable protein food for malnourished children. According to recent clinical trials cognitive ability of children is improving. 11

12 Results and conclusion: Substantial improvement in child health can be achieved by Supplementation of 1-2gram Spirulina and equivalent fortified Spirulina products to the children (0-5yrs). 12

13 Spirulina in Antenna s Experience natural, cost effective supplement to correct the micronutrient deficiencies among the children. to promote it for export markets is not helping to combat malnutrition. Can be supplemented to malnourished children through government feeding programs(icds). 13

14 Thanking you For more information