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Vitamin A content of beef and chicken liver revisited: variability and its implications for complementary feeding programs for infants.
Author(s) -
Mazariegos Manolo,
RomeroAbal Maria Eugenia,
Solomons Noel W.,
Craft Neal E.
Publication year - 2008
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.22.1_supplement.1096.8
Subject(s) - micronutrient , zoology , vitamin , food science , chicken liver , chemistry , biology , medicine , biochemistry , pathology , enzyme
Background: Because beef (BL) and chicken liver (CL) are rich sources of Vitamin A (VA) and of key minerals, their consumption has been proposed in food‐based complementary feeding programs. Literature values for VA content and its variability in liver are inconsistent. Objectives: To determine the VA content and its variability in BL and CL. Methods: 13 samples each of BL and CL were purchased in Guatemalan markets. Each sample was split and analyzed by HPLC (Craft Technologies), both as raw (R) and steamed (S). Results: Mean±SD of BL content of VA (ug/100g) at 21776±9433 (CI, 95%, 17882 – 25670; SE, 1887) tended to be greater than CL at 17734±6232 (CI, 95%, 15102 – 20366; SE, 1272) (p>0.05). The respective CVs for BL and CL were 43.3%, and 35.1%. R and S contents were comparable in both BL and CL. VA content in BL and CL was much higher than comparative USDA values (2005). Conclusions: To meet 500 ug RDAs for VA in infants, it would require 2.3 – 3.3 g/d or 16 – 23 g/wk of BL. DRIs for Fe and Zn would be unattainable from liver without surpassing the 600 ug ULs for retinol. The high content of VA in liver and the variability attests its potential, but raises a note of caution for its use in programs combating infant micronutrient malnutrition. Sponsored by the Sight and Life