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Milling method affects zinc content of maize and health status of Mongolian gerbils (646.5)
Author(s) -
Gan Bryan,
Tanumihardjo Sherry
Publication year - 2014
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.28.1_supplement.646.5
Subject(s) - biofortification , zinc , micronutrient , vitamin , orange (colour) , food science , bioavailability , chemistry , zoology , gerbil , biology , medicine , biochemistry , bioinformatics , organic chemistry , ischemia
Micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin A (VA), zinc, and iron, are of global health concern. Biofortified (orange) maize has provitamin A carotenoids and can support vitamin A status. Different maize milling methods, e.g. whole grain (‘roller’) and degermed (‘breakfast’), are commonly used and affect mineral content. Zinc plays a role in vitamin A metabolism and therefore it is pertinent to evaluate their interaction. Orange and white maize was milled using two methods and analyzed for mineral content. Gerbil diets were formulated to have maize as the sole vitamin A and zinc source. A 3x2 factorial study was carried out with three VA levels (i.e., white maize ‐VA, orange maize ‐VA, and white maize +VA) and two milling methods (i.e., roller and breakfast). Gerbils were depleted on white maize for 4 wk, and then put on treatments for 4 wk. Gerbil weights and food consumption were measured. Gerbils were killed; serum, liver, and fur were collected for analysis. Diets varied significantly in zinc content between roller and breakfast (11.0 ± 0.6 vs 2.8 ± 0.8 µg Zn/g diet; P < 0.0001), which was reflected in liver zinc (28.6 ± 2.4 vs 26.9 ± 3.6 µg/g; P = 0.038). Gerbils on roller diet grew significantly more than those on breakfast (76.1 ± 7.0 vs 69.4 ± 9.0 g; P = 0.0025), while VA level had no effect (P = 0.70). Serum retinol had no significant treatment or interaction effects (P > 0.074), with dietary VA trending towards a significant effect and VA‐ gerbils having a higher serum retinol than VA+ gerbils. A simple choice of processing method showed a difference in growth and liver zinc content. Although breakfast meal is preferred for consistency, roller meal shows great potential as a nutritionally superior option for better population health. Grant Funding Source : Supported by NIH‐5T32DK007665 (BG) and Hatch WIS01528