Nutritional composition and amino acid profile of analog rice formulated from local corn and legumes in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Katolik Widya Mandira, Kupang, Indonesia

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Abstract

East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province relies heavily on rice, yet limited production highlights the need for food diversification using local resources such as corn and legumes. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and amino acid profile of analog rice formulated from local corn, arbila beans, and cowpeas. The research consisted of three stages: flour preparation, formulation, and analog rice production. Five formulations were developed with corn:arbila:cowpea ratios of 100:0:0 (F1), 88:10:10 (F2), 70:15:15 (F3), 65:25:10 (F4), and 65:10:25 (F5). Proximate composition and amino acid profiles were analyzed using HPLC, and data were subjected to ANOVA followed by DMRT at a 5% significance level. Formulation F4 (65:25:10) demonstrated the best chemical characteristics, with 7.18% moisture, 2.44% ash, 14.63% protein, 6.22% fat, 69.55% carbohydrate, and 9.57% crude fiber. Analog rice from F4 contained 14 amino acids, including seven essential and seven non-essential, with glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, and leucine being the most abundant. Lysine and leucine are vital for human nutrition, particularly in reducing childhood stunting. These findings indicate that analog rice made from local corn and legumes may serve as a sustainable protein source to enhance food security and support efforts to reduce malnutrition and stunting.