Impact of biofortified maize consumption on serum carotenoid concentrations in Zambian children.
Eur J Clin Nutr
; 72(2): 301-303, 2018 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29321687
ABSTRACT
Biofortified maize, designed as an intervention strategy to prevent vitamin A deficiency, can provide upwards of 15 µg ß-carotene per g dry weight. Some varieties also have elevated concentrations of other carotenoids. We conducted a cluster randomized, controlled feeding trial in rural Zambia to test the impact of daily consumption of biofortified maize over a 6-month period on vitamin A status. Serum concentrations of retinol and carotenoids were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Data on circulating carotenoids by intervention group in 679 children are reported here. As previously shown, consumption of this ß-carotene-rich maize significantly improved serum ß-carotene concentrations (0.273 vs. 0.147 µmol/L, p < 0.001, in this subset of children). Here we show significant increases in α-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin (p < 0.001). There was no impact on lutein or lycopene concentrations. Consumption of biofortified maize can have broader implications beyond the control of vitamin A deficiency (Trial registration NCT01695148).
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Carotenoids
/
Food, Fortified
/
Zea mays
/
Diet
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Clin Nutr
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States