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Comparing the vitamin A bioefficacy of β‐cryptoxanthin to β‐carotene from supplements and maize in Mongolian gerbils
Author(s) -
Davis Christopher R,
Jing Hua,
Howe Julie A,
Rocheford Torbert,
Tanumihardjo Sherry A
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a351-b
Subject(s) - gerbil , carotenoid , vitamin , biofortification , corn oil , carotene , zoology , retinol , retinyl acetate , provitamin , biology , beta carotene , food science , chemistry , biochemistry , medicine , micronutrient , ischemia , organic chemistry
Maize biofortified with provitamin A carotenoids maintains vitamin A (VA) status in Mongolian gerbils. β‐Cryptoxanthin (βCX) contributes to VA, but the VA equivalency factor of βCX is unknown. Two studies were performed in gerbils to compare the bioefficacy of βCX to that of β‐carotene (βC). Study 1 (n = 47) examined the VA value of oil supplements and study 2 (n = 57) used biofortified maize with varying levels of βCX. Gerbils were fed VA‐free diets (45% white maize) for 4 wk. Seven gerbils were killed at baseline. Remaining gerbils were placed into weight‐matched groups of 10. In study 1, treatments were oil control, or 35, 35, or 17.5 nmol VA (retinyl acetate), βCX, or βC, respectively. Blood and livers were collected at 3 wk. In study 2, 3 groups were fed diets with 45% maize which were mixed to contain 5.9 nmol VA/g feed assuming 100% bioefficacy. The diets had 0.30, 1.05, or 2.13 nmol βCX/g feed. Controls received either equivalent VA or oil only. Livers and serum were collected at 4 wk. In study 1, liver VA was higher in the VA (0.69 ± 0.11 μmol) and βCX (0.60 ± 0.10 μmol) groups than in the βC (0.49 ± 0.13 μmol) and control (0.37 ± 0.15 μmol) groups (P < 0.05). Study 2 will further evaluate the provitamin A value of βCX from maize. βCX contributes significant VA to the gerbil. Biofortified maize should be promoted in countries that consume maize as a staple food to enhance VA status. Supported by HarvestPlus, Hatch WIS04975 and USAID.