The use of eggs in the assessment of selenium status of a community - abstract

ABSTRACT

Selenium (Se) deficiency appears to play a part in the development of oedematous malnutrition. It occurs in regions where soil Se availability is low. This is likely in wet, tropical limestone-based regions, such as in much of Jamaica. In high Se regions in Venezuela, Se status of the inhabitants and Se concentrations in the locally produced eggs were high. The present study explored the potential use of egg Se concentrations as a monitor for low Se areas in Jamaica. Six areas were selected, three of which were expected to be low Se areas. Homes were visited and free range hens' eggs, soil samples and hair samples were collected. Se concentrations of the sample were measured. For each area, the mean concentrations in ppm dry weight were Glengoffe, Haynes, E. St. Thomas, Porus, Mavis Bank, Lluidas Vale; YOLK - 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 1.8, 1.2, 1.6 respectively Total mean is 1.8; WHITE - 1.5, 3.0, 4.4, 2.4, 1.6, 2.1 Total mean is 2.7; SOIL - 0.7, 0.6, 1.1, 1.8, 0.4, 1.9 respectively Total mean is 1.2; HAIR - 0.5, 0.6, 0.6, 0.8, 0.5, 0.5 respectively Total mean is 0.6. In many of the soil samples, the values found were lower than the accepted normal range. However, in egg and hair samples, they were mostly within the normal (literature) range. There were no very low values. There was a linear correlation between egg white and egg yolk concentrations (n=101, r=0.84, p<0.001) and between egg yolk and soil concentration (n=102, r=0.20, p<0.05). Overall, however, egg Se concentration did not reflect closely either soil or hair Se concentration, and therefore is unlikely to be a useful index of Se status of a community (AU)