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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #181148
Title: NA2EDTA ENHANCES THE ABSORPTION OF IRON AND ZINC FROM FORTIFIED RICE FLOUR IN SRI LANKAN CHILDREN

Author
item HETTIARACHCHI, MANJULA - UNIV OF RUHUNA
item HILMERS, DAVID - BAYLOR COL MED
item LIYANAGE, CHANDRANI - UNIV OF RUHUNA
item Abrams, Steven

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2004
Publication Date: 11/20/2004
Citation: Hettiarachchi, M., Hilmers, D.C., Liyanange, C., Abrams, S.A. 2004. Na2EDTA enhances the absorption of iron and zinc from fortified rice flour in Sri Lankan children. Journal of Nutrition. 134:3031-3036.

Interpretive Summary: Na2EDTA enhances the absorption of iron and zinc from fortified rice flour in Sri Lankan children. Rice flour was proposed as a vehicle for iron and zinc fortification in Sri Lanka. Although widely consumed, rice flour has not been evaluated as a fortified food, and the absorption of minerals including iron and zinc from this flour is unknown. Determining the bioavailability of these nutrients is a crucial step before proceeding to enrich the flour. Through our studies we identified that although zinc absorption was low, a benefit arose when using Na(2)EDTA to improve both iron and zinc absorption. We believe the fortification of rice flour is feasible, yet additional strategies such as an increase in the level of iron and zinc fortification should be considered to obtain a higher proportion of the daily requirement of total absorbed iron and zinc.

Technical Abstract: Rice flour was proposed as a vehicle for iron and zinc fortification in Sri Lanka. Although widely consumed, rice flour has not been evaluated as a fortified food, and the absorption of minerals including iron and zinc from this flour is unknown. Determination of the bioavailability of these nutrients is a critical step before commencing a fortification program. We randomly divided 53 Sri Lankan schoolchildren ages 6-10 y into 4 groups that consumed a local dish prepared with 25 g of fortified rice flour labeled with one of the following: 1) (58)FeSO(4) 2) (58)FeSO(4) + Na(2)EDTA 3) (58)FeSO(4) + (67)ZnO or, 4) (58)FeSO(4) + Na(2)EDTA + (67)ZnO. The levels of iron and zinc were 60 mg/kg; the rice flour also contained folate at 2 mg/kg in each group. Na(2)EDTA was added at a Fe:Na(2)EDTA, 1:1 molar ratio. A total of 48 children completed the trial. Absorption of (58)Fe from a meal was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in the groups administered FeSO(4) + Na(2)EDTA (4.7 +/- 3.6%) than in those administered FeSO(4) without Na(2)EDTA (2.2 +/- 1.3%). Fractional absorption of zinc was 13.5 +/- 6.0% in the FeSO(4) + Na(2)EDTA group and 8.8 +/- 2.0% in the FeSO(4) group (P = 0.037). Although zinc absorption was low, our results demonstrated a benefit in using Na(2)EDTA to improve both iron and zinc absorption. We conclude that the fortification of rice flour is feasible, although additional strategies such as dephytinization or an increase in the level of iron and zinc fortification should be considered to obtain a higher proportion of the daily requirement of total absorbed iron and zinc.