Trace elements in two staple cereals (rice and wheat) and associated health risk implications in Bangladesh.

Concentrations of fourteen trace elements (Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Se, Cu, Mo, Mn, Sb, Ba, V and Ag) in the composite samples of most frequently consumed two staple foods, i.e. rice and wheat (collected from 30 different agroecological zones for the first time in Bangladesh) were measured by ICP-MS. The mean concentrations (mg/kg fresh weight) of Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Se, Cu, Mo, Mn, Sb, Ba, V and Ag were found as 0.088, 0.321, 0.713, 0.183, 0.213, 13.178, 0.0256, 1.985, 0.102, 4.654, 0.0033, 0.144, 0.081 and 0.007 and 0.011, 0.281, 0.221, 0.352, 0.145, 15.472, 0.245, 1.894, 0.209, 22.077, 0.0012, 3.712, 0.023 and 0.0013 in rice and wheat samples, respectively. Dietary risk of human health (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) was assessed by USEPA deterministic approaches. Total target hazard quotient (THQ) values for As and Pb were higher than 1, suggesting that people would experience significant health risks from consuming rice and wheat. However, the THQ of other metals were all less than 1. Also, the estimation showed that the target carcinogenic risk (TR) of As and Pb exceeded the accepted risk level of 1 × 10(-6). Moreover, concerning the nutritional requirements of essential elements for a sound health, the recommended doses for the daily intake of Mn was conveniently supplied by the studied cereals; however, Cr, Zn, Se, Cu and Mo were below the recommend daily allowances (RDAs). Thus, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of As and Pb with lower supplementation of essential elements via staple foods for Bangladeshi people is a matter of concern.

Antioxidant capacity and total phenolic contents in hydrophilic extracts of selected Bangladeshi medicinal plants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hydrophilic extracts from edible portions of fifteen plants for total phenolic content (TPC) and anti-oxidant capacity (AC) as an effort to find possible sources for future novel antioxidants. METHODS: Folin-Ciocalteau and DPPH radical scavenging assays were employed to determine TPC and AC, respectively. RESULTS: Among the assayed plants, TPC (mean±SD), expressed as gallic acid equivalent, varied from 0.04±0.01 (Amaranthus spinosus) to 6.01±0.04 (Zanthoxylum rhetsa) mg gallic acid equivalent/g fresh weight. AC (mean±SD), expressed as trolox equivalent, ranged from 0.14±0.00 (Alternanthera philoxeroides) to 7.54±0.00 (Zanthoxylum rhetsa) µmol trolox equivalent/g fresh weight. A significant and positive linear relationship (R(2)=0.99) was observed between TPC and AC of Zanthoxylum rhetsa, Oxalis corymbosa, and Alternanthera sessilis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study implies that the analyzed plants possess varying degree of antioxidant capacity and, therefore, the antioxidant potency of these underused plants may be utilized to prevent oxidative damage and oxidative stress related disorders.

Efficacy of twice-weekly multiple micronutrient supplementation for improving the hemoglobin and micronutrient status of anemic adolescent schoolgirls in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Although iron deficiency is a major cause of anemia, other micronutrient deficiencies may also play a role. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether multiple micronutrient supplementation is more efficacious than is supplementation with iron and folic acid alone for improving the hemoglobin and iron status of anemic adolescent girls in Bangladesh. DESIGN: Anemic (hemoglobin < 12.0 g/dL) girls (n = 197) aged 14-18 y from rural schools in Dhaka District were entered into a randomized double-blind trial and received twice-weekly supplements of iron and folic acid (IFA group) or multiple micronutrients (15 micronutrients, including iron and folic acid; MMN group) for 12 wk. RESULTS: At recruitment, the characteristics of the girls in the 2 groups were not significantly different, except for family size and body mass index. At the end of the study, although both groups benefited significantly from supplementation, mean changes in hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations were not significantly different between groups. Compared with the IFA group, girls in the MMN group had significantly greater increases in mean serum vitamin A, plasma vitamin C, red blood cell folic acid, and riboflavin concentrations (assessed as erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient). After 12 wk of supplementation, only the prevalence of vitamins A and C and riboflavin deficiencies decreased more significantly in the MMN group than in the IFA group. CONCLUSIONS: Twice-weekly MMN supplementation for 12 wk significantly improved the status of the micronutrients assessed but was not more efficacious than was supplementation with iron and folic acid alone in improving the hematologic status of anemic adolescent girls. More frequent doses may be needed to achieve full benefit.