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Carotenoids and folate vitamers in indigenous plants consumed by Northern Plains American Indians
Author(s) -
Pehrsson Pamela,
Scheett Angela,
Phillips Katherine,
Patterson Kristine,
Lukaski Henry
Publication year - 2011
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.25.1_supplement.609.5
Subject(s) - carotenoid , zeaxanthin , lycopene , lutein , biology , botany , food science , beta carotene , horticulture
Epidemiological research strongly supports increased consumption of carotenoid‐ and folate‐rich plant foods to reduce the risk of several chronic diseases. Current research seeks to determine if specific vitamers in foods play unique roles in health. Consumption of wild plants, which may be an important source of these nutrients, but where data are limited, has declined among American Indians. Seven wild plants historically consumed by Northern Plains Indian tribes were analyzed separately for carotenoids and folate using HPLC; MS detection for folates enabled quantitation of individual vitamers. Total carotenoids (mcg/g) were highest in rose hips (117), wild plums (32), raw and cooked lambsquarters (48, 85, respectively) and blanched stinging nettles (54). Cattail shoots, wild raspberries, and chokecherries contained <5 mcg/g total edible plant. Beta‐carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin were the predominant carotenoids; lycopene was present only in rose hips (68 mcg/g). Significant folate (total >0.2 mcg/g) was found in cattail shoots and stinging nettles, and was highest in lambsquarters (>1). The major vitamer was 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate. Formylfolates (10‐formylfolate, 5‐formyltetrahydrofolate) were high (>0.3 mcg/g total) only in lambsquarters. With many tribes pursuing a return to traditional foods, additional analyses of indigenous wild plants are warranted. Funding: USDA/ARS and NIH.