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Decreasing Nutrient Deficiencies In Malawi Through Nixtamalization: A Sustainable Maize Fortification Method, Brooke Carroll, Frost Steele

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this study was to address several nutritional deficiencies in a typical Malawian diet through an ancient Mesoamerican process known as nixtamalization. Calcium and niacin, both crucial micronutrients, are both increased through this maize treatment process. It requires an alkaline solution, which we created from wood ash, to process maize and incorporate these nutrients into a new product. Since the taste, texture, flavor, and appearance of the maize changes with nixtamalization, a panel of native Malawians were invited to taste several variants of the nixtamal product in contrast to one made with traditional maize and relay their opinions …