TY - JOUR
T1 - Zinc, iron and phytic acid levels of some popular foods consumed by rural children in Sri Lanka
AU - Karunaratne, Anjani M.
AU - Amerasinghe, P. H.
AU - Sadagopa Ramanujam, V. M.
AU - Sandstead, H. H.
AU - Perera, P. A.J.
N1 - Funding Information:
Funds from the Science & Technology Personal Development Project of Ministry of Science & Technology, the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka and University of Peradeniya. Training received at the Department of Preventive Medicine & Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, USA. Use of the AAS at the Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka and technical assistance provided by Ms. D. Aluthpatabende and Mr. A Pathirana. We would like to thank personnel at the Government Rice Research Institute, Bathalagoda, Sri Lanka, Dr. T Rajapakse (Plant Genetic Resource Centre, Sri Lanka) and Ms. C. Breckenridge (formerly of the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka) for providing information on rice.
PY - 2008/9
Y1 - 2008/9
N2 - Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiencies may prevail in populations dependent on cereal-based diets containing few animal products. The contribution of Zn and Fe from foods of preschool children of a hill country village in Sri Lanka, is discussed as it is known that the presence of phytic acid (PA) in the diet limits bioavailability of micronutrients. The Zn, Fe and PA contents of cereal-based (rice or wheat flour) composite meals (n=12), wheat flour-based products (n=5), pulses used as staples, snacks or accompaniments (n=6) and other miscellaneous accompaniments (n=4) were determined. Additionally, 20 rice and 3 paddy varieties consumed were also analysed. Although the Zn and Fe levels were reasonable in the composite meals, the PA to Zn molar ratios (5-43) were relatively high, in a majority of meals. Composite meals containing wheat flour (refined) had lower PA levels (<6 mg/100 g) in the absence of pulses and scraped coconut, than rice meals. All rice varieties were partially polished but the PA to Zn molar ratios varied. The major contributors of PA appeared to be soy-textured vegetable protein, all types of jak fruit and scraped coconut kernel. Potable water was a poor source of Zn and Fe. These diets could potentially lead to marginal Zn and Fe deficiencies, and dietary diversification and counselling would be beneficial.
AB - Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiencies may prevail in populations dependent on cereal-based diets containing few animal products. The contribution of Zn and Fe from foods of preschool children of a hill country village in Sri Lanka, is discussed as it is known that the presence of phytic acid (PA) in the diet limits bioavailability of micronutrients. The Zn, Fe and PA contents of cereal-based (rice or wheat flour) composite meals (n=12), wheat flour-based products (n=5), pulses used as staples, snacks or accompaniments (n=6) and other miscellaneous accompaniments (n=4) were determined. Additionally, 20 rice and 3 paddy varieties consumed were also analysed. Although the Zn and Fe levels were reasonable in the composite meals, the PA to Zn molar ratios (5-43) were relatively high, in a majority of meals. Composite meals containing wheat flour (refined) had lower PA levels (<6 mg/100 g) in the absence of pulses and scraped coconut, than rice meals. All rice varieties were partially polished but the PA to Zn molar ratios varied. The major contributors of PA appeared to be soy-textured vegetable protein, all types of jak fruit and scraped coconut kernel. Potable water was a poor source of Zn and Fe. These diets could potentially lead to marginal Zn and Fe deficiencies, and dietary diversification and counselling would be beneficial.
KW - Bioavailability
KW - Iron
KW - Phytic acid
KW - Zinc
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jfca.2008.02.006
DO - 10.1016/j.jfca.2008.02.006
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:46749118294
SN - 0889-1575
VL - 21
SP - 481
EP - 488
JO - Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
JF - Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
IS - 6
ER -