Characteristics and Formula Test of Protein‐Based Products From Belontia hasselti Wetlands in South Kalimantan

The utilization of locally available food resources in the Indonesian Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has the potential to shorten supply chains, improve raw material freshness, enhance nutritional quality, and stimulate regional economic development. This study is aimed at (1) analyzing and characterizing the raw materials used in the formulation; and (2) developing selected formulations emphasizing the nutritional value of local resources as a potential strategy to support the Indonesian Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. Five prototype products were initially developed from the freshwater fish Belontia hasselti , followed by sensory evaluation to select the most promising prototype. The selected prototype was subsequently optimized by evaluating five formulations prepared from different local fish species through sensory analysis, reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), recommended dietary allowance (RDA) assessment, and economic feasibility analysis. Among the evaluated formulations, Formula Kr ( B. hasselti ) showed consistently favorable sensory acceptance across the evaluated attributes and was selected for subsequent characterization based on its relevance to the study objective and local wetland resource utilization. Formula Kr also exhibited the highest choline content (121.84 mg/100 g dry weight). SEM analysis revealed relatively continuous and compact surface regions with fewer prominent surface voids in Kr compared with the more irregular and discontinuous surface observed in Ml. EDX analysis identified carbon and oxygen as the major elements in both formulations. Based on a standard serving size of 69 g, Formula Kr provided 84.07 mg of choline, contributing up to 33.63% of the Indonesian RDA for children aged 7–12 years. Economic analysis indicated favorable production feasibility with an R/C ratio of 1.35. These findings indicate that Nemobite Formula Kr possesses favorable nutritional, physicochemical, sensory, and economic characteristics, highlighting its potential as a locally sourced functional food to support the Indonesian Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.