Sensory Evaluation of Finger Food Based On Sunflower Seed and Dragon Fruit As A Supplementary Food For Toddlers

Abstract

Stunting among children under five remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, with a national prevalence of 19.8% according to the 2024 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey released in 2025. Supplementary foods made from local ingredients must therefore be both nutrient-dense and acceptable so that children actually eat them. Sunflower seed (Helianthus annuus) is rich in plant protein and unsaturated fat, and dragon fruit (Hylocereus sp.) provides fiber, vitamin C and natural betacyanin pigments, yet the sensory acceptability of their combination in finger food for toddlers has rarely been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the sensory properties of finger food biscuits in which wheat flour was partially replaced by an equal mixture of sunflower seed flour and dragon fruit flour, and to determine the most acceptable substitution level. Four formulations were prepared, namely P0 (100% wheat flour, control), P1 (20% substitution), P2 (40%) and P3 (60%). The samples were labeled with three-digit random codes and evaluated by 49 panelists through a hedonic test (color, aroma, taste and crispness) and a hedonic quality test (the same attributes plus aftertaste) on a five-point scale. Overall liking was analyzed using the Friedman test followed by pairwise Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Holm correction (α = 0.05). Overall liking differed significantly among formulations (p < 0.001). It rose from P0 (3.76) to a peak at P2 (4.16) and fell at P3 (3.49). P1 (4.00) and P2 were the most preferred and did not differ significantly, whereas P3 was significantly lower than all other formulations. Color and taste were the attributes that most clearly separated the formulations, while crispness was consistently liked at every substitution level. Moderate substitution (20 to 40%) gave the highest acceptability, and P2 is recommended as the selected formulation for further development as a nutrient-dense supplementary food for toddlers, pending confirmation of acceptance among children.