Premium
Chemical and Radiochemical Composition of the Rongelapese Diet
Author(s) -
CHAKRAVARTI DIPTIMAN,
HELD EDWARD E.
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
journal of food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1750-3841
pISSN - 0022-1147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.1963.tb00188.x
Subject(s) - potassium , zinc , strontium , chemistry , calcium , phosphorus , cobalt , composition (language) , magnesium , chemical composition , sodium , manganese , zoology , food science , biology , inorganic chemistry , linguistics , philosophy , organic chemistry
SUMMARY The gross chemical composition of the Rongelapese diet indicates that it is low in fat, protein, and ash hut fairly high in carbohydrate. The variation in gross chemical composition of the diets examined may be accounted for by the broad variability of the different diets. The habitat of the Rongelapese probably does not demand a high‐energy diet, which may partially justify the lower fat intake. Levels of calcium and phosphorus seem below the minimum required for maintenance of a proper calcium‐phosphorus balance. The diet seems adequate in magnesium and potassium but slightly low in sodium. The nickel, cobalt, and copper contents seem high in the Rongelap rations, manganese content is low, and iron and zinc compare favorably with minimum daily requirements. Hight levels of cobalt‐60 and zinc‐65 are associated with each other and with rations containing local fish. The higher levels of strontium‐90 and cesium‐137 are found where local fruit was consumed. Coconut contributes little strontium‐90, and pandanus the most. Rations with higher zinc‐65 also contain higher levels of stable zinc, indicating that local sea foods may be the main source of zinc in the diet. Cesium‐137, strontium‐90, and cobalt‐60 show no definite correlation with stable potassium, calcium, and cobalt, respectively. There is probably a net addition of minerals to Rongelap soils from imported foods.