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Title: Nutritional Impacts of Saskatchewan Grown Lentils (Lens culinaris L) Feeding on Samples of Healthy and Clinical Children in Sri Lanka

Author
item THAVARAJAH, DIL - University Of Saskatchewan
item THAVARAJAH, PUSHPARAHAH - University Of Saskatchewan
item WIJESURIYA, PADMAKANTHI - Lady Ridgeway Children'S Hospital
item JAYATISS, RENUKA - Lady Ridgeway Children'S Hospital
item Combs, Gerald
item LOLANDE, DESIREE - University Of Saskatchewan
item SEE, CHAI - University Of Saskatchewan
item GOETZ, BARRY - University Of Saskatchewan
item RUTZKY, MIKE - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item ARNDT, ANDREW - University Of Saskatchewan
item PRANGE, ALEXANDER - University Of Saskatchewan
item HOMES, JOSEF - University Of Saskatchewan
item VANDENBERG, ALBERT - University Of Saskatchewan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2009
Publication Date: 1/20/2010
Citation: Thavarajah, D., Thavarajah, P., Wijesuriya, P., Jayatiss, R., Combs, G.F., Lolande, D., See, C.T., Goetz, B., Rutzky, M., Arndt, A., Prange, A., Homes, J., Vandenberg, A. 2010. Nutritional Impacts of Saskatchewan Grown Lentils (Lens culinaris L) Feeding on Samples of Healthy and Clinical Children in Sri Lanka [abstract]. Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Pulse Days 2010. p. 44.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Canadian grown Lentil is a rich source of micronutrients. It has high levels of selenium (Se), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), folic acid and carotenes (Thavarajah, et al., 2007; 2008, 2009, Wilmot et al., 2009). In addition, our latest finding shows that Canadian lentil has naturally low levels of antinutrient factors such as phytic acid (Thavarajah et al., 2009). Therefore, it is possible to speculate that consumption of Canadian lentils may improve human nutritional status of healthy children and, more specifically children suffering from iron and or folic acid deficient anemia. Lentil is a major part of human diet in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka imports all of its local lentil demands from Turkey, Australia, India (until 2007), Canada and other minor lentil exporting countries in the region (Vandenberg, 2009). In Sri Lanka, children represent a significant percentage (36%; under 18 years) of its population and they could show real nutritional status of its general population. In this study, we propose to assess Fe, Zn, Se, folic acid and carotenoid status of two groups of healthy and Fe and/or folic acid deficient children before and after feeding Canadian grown commercial and Sri Lankan locally available lentils. Benefits to Sri Lanka: Presently, Sri Lanka imports 100,000 metric tons of lentils from Turkey, India (until 2007), Canada and Australia and other minor lentil exporting countries. Our latest research findings (Thavarajah et al., 2008) of analysis of world commercial lentil show that Canadian grown lentil is a superior source of Fe, Zn, Se and other micronutrients compared to any other lentils grown in the world. If the proposed study finding of feeding Canadian lentil and local market lentils leads to increased nutritional status of these study groups, it could provide Sri Lanka a tremendous opportunity to improve the nutritional status of its general population, more specifically in children and pregnant women who have high percentages of micronutrient deficiencies. Benefits to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers: If the proposed study finding shows positive nutritional benefits in the study sample populations, SPG will have an opportunity to provide nutritionally superior lentils and be a part in efforts in alleviating micronutrient malnutrition in Sri Lanka and South Asia. Progress as of December 2009 1. Ethics approvals for the proposed study have been obtained from Sri Lanka and the University of Saskatchewan. 2. Year 1 study data collection is in progress. No delays is anticipated in project completion 3. Study authors wishes to present Year 1 data to SPG Pulse Days 2011. References: 1. Thavarajah et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57 (12), pp 5413–5419 2. Thavarajah et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2008, 56 (22), pp 10747–10753 3. Thavarajah et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57 (19), pp 9044–9049. 4. Combs, G. F. Jr. 2001 Selenium 205-217. 5. Wilmot, B., Thavarajah, P., Thavarajah, D., Low, N., Vandenberg, A. 2009. Pulse Days, Saskatoon, SK.