Selenium and cadmium in bioaccessible fraction of organic weaning food: Risk assessment and influence of dietary components.

BACKGROUND: The tendency of some sectors of the population to consume organic food has also come to include baby food. Nevertheless, it is necessary to develop studies to support the true nutritional and toxicological value of these products, making special emphasis in several trace elements. To our knowledge, no studies have been conducted on this type of organic food. METHODS: Weaning foods with different formulations categorized as organic were analyzed to determine Se and Cd contents as well as its bioaccesibility. The analyses were conducted by electro thermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ET - AAS) after the treatment of the samples with acid mineralization. Besides, macronutrient analyses (protein, fat and dietary fiber) were also developed. Finally, a novelty statistic approach such as @Risk was used to evaluate contributions to DRI or PTWI of Se and Cd derived for consumption of these weaning foods. RESULTS: Se content ranged between 2.44-15.4 µg Kg 1. Samples with meat ingredients showed the highest Se contents, while weaning foods consisting of fruits or vegetables presented the lowest concentrations. Se bioccessible concentration ranged between 1.90-4.35 µg Kg-1 with a greater uniformity amongst analyzed samples. Regarding Cd, concentrations of this heavy metal ranged between 1.23 and 3.64 µg Kg-1. Furthermore, Cd bioaccessibility of organic weaning foods ranged between 0.17 and 1.38 µg Kg-1. The solubility of all samples studied was around 20% from the initial Cd concentration. A negative statistical correlation between fat content - Cd bioaccesible (p < 0.05; r = - 0.756) and Cd content - Se bioaccesible (p < 0.05; r = - 0.777) were also found. CONCLUSIONS: Cd concentrations are considerably lower than those reported in weaning formulas which were not categorized as organic. On the other hand, the analysed organic jars did not represent a significant source of Se. The probabilistic assessment developed, showed that contributions to DRI of Se for infants 1-3 years old by consumption of these weaning foods, are excessively low (15% at best).

Preliminary nutritional assessment of the Ecuadorian diet based on a 24-h food recall survey in Ecuador.

INTRODUCTION: Ecuador is a country with limited nutritional information, with exception of some general studies supported by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO). AIMS: To carry out a nutritional assessment of the Ecuadorian diet and determine the percentage of contribution to the intake of different nutrients according to the order of the meal (breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner snack) and Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). METHODS: For that purpose a pilot survey based on 24-h food recall method was carried out in three specific regions in Ecuador and collected information was processed, analyzed statistically and compared with DRIs established for Latin-American population. RESULTS: The study found significant differences for energy and certain vitamins in men and women in addition to determining that the highest energy contribution was obtained in lunch, followed by the afternoon snack and breakfast. Intermediate meals (morning snack, afternoon snack and dinner snack) contributed significantly less in the daily diet in comparison with other types of meal. Furthermore, it was observed that analyzed intakes did not meet the DRI for Carbohydrates, some vitamins (Thiamin, Pantothenic, Biotin, Folate Vitamin D and Vitamin E) and minerals (Ca, K, Cu, Mn, I and Fe). The Na intakes were quite above the DRI and Tolerable Upper Limit given by USDA, indicating a Public Health problem in relation with this electrolyte. CONCLUSIONS: The present pilot survey can be considered as a starting point to get insight into the Ecuadorian diet. This will allow to determine consumption patterns affecting population welfare and to evidence attendant positive and adverse effects.

Objetivos: Realizar una evaluación nutricional de la dieta ecuatoriana y determinar el porcentaje de contribución de la ingesta de diferentes nutrientes en función del tipo de comida (desayuno, almuerzo, comida, merienda, y cena) y de la Referencia de Ingesta Dietética (RID). Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta piloto basada en el método del recordatorio de alimentación de 24 h en tres regiones concretas de Ecuador y se procesó la información recogida, se analizó y se comparó con las RID establecidas para la población latinoamericana. Resultados: El estudio encontró diferencias significativas para energía y ciertas vitaminas en hombres y en mujeres, además de determinar que la mayor contribución energética se obtenía en la comida, seguida de la merienda y el desayuno. Las comidas intermedias (almuerzo, merienda y cena) contribuían de una manera significativamente menor en la dieta diaria en comparación con otros tipos de comidas. Además, se observó que las ingestas analizadas no alcanzaban las RID para hidratos de carbono, algunas vitaminas (tiamina, ácido pantoténico, biotina, folato, vitamina D y vitamina E) y minerales (Ca, K, Cu, Mn, I y Fe). La ingesta de NA estaba bastante por encima de las RID y el Límite Superior Tolerable proporcionado por la USDA, lo que indica un problema de salud pública en relación con este electrolito. Conclusiones: Esta encuesta piloto puede considerarse como un punto de partida para obtener una visión más profunda de la dieta ecuatoriana. Esto permitirá determinar los patrones de consumo que afectan al bienestar de la población y establecer efectos positivos y efectos adversos del patrón de consumo en Ecuador.