Tropical Fruits and Nectars Typically Consumed in Latino Communities Are Excellent Sources of Vitamins A, C and Other Nutrients

Abstract

Latinos are the largest minority group in the U.S. The Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL) is sampling and analyzing foods commonly consumed by Latin Americans in order to improve the quality and quantity of data on ethnic foods in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). Guanabana, guava, mango, and tamarind nectars were sampled from retail stores using NDL’s National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program’s (NFNAP) nationwide, probability-based method. Nectars were sent to qualified labs for analysis of proximates, sugar, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids. Findings include the following per 1 cup (251 ml): guava nectar, 10% DV for fiber; and mango nectar, 35% DV for vitamin A. All nectars are excellent sources of vitamin C (30-82% DV). NDL and Minnesota’s Nutrition Coordinating Center created a list of tropical fruits typically consumed in Latino communities. The NFNAP sampling method was not feasible due to the low probability of finding these fruits in retail stores. Cherimoya, jackfruit, mango, papaya, and mamey sapote were purchased from U.S. wholesalers, then composited and analyzed. All five fruits are excellent sources (32-138% DV) of vitamin C per 140 g (FDA serving, approximately 1 cup). Other standouts are mango for vitamin A and folate (45% and 21% DV, respectively); mamey sapote for potassium (21% DV); and cherimoya and mamey sapote for fiber (20% and 26% DV, respectively). Papaya has 2173 μg lycopene per 140 g. These new analytical values will enable researchers, clinicians, and consumers to more accurately assess the nutrient intakes of Latin Americans. INTRODUCTION The USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR) is an important source of nutrient composition data for foods consumed in the U.S. As the Latino population in the U.S. increases, there is a greater need to serve this population by adding nutrient data to SR for foods they commonly consume. Many people seek the fruits they consumed in their native countries, resulting in increased tropical fruit imports such as mangos and papayas (Pollack, 2001). The general population is able to enjoy more tropical fruits with the greater availability resulting from the increased demand. Four tropical nectars and 5 tropical fruits were analyzed in order to update SR with quality nutrient data for foods commonly consumed by Latinos. METHODS Tropical nectars and whole fruits were sampled and nutrient components analyzed using the following procedures: Nectar •National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) – probabilitybased, nationwide retail sampling. •Obtained two brands of each of following types of nectar: guanabana (soursop), guava, mango, and tamarind. •Food Analysis Laboratory Control Center (FALCC) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University prepared samples according to standard protocols and shipped composited samples to pre-qualified analytical laboratories along with quality control materials. Fruit •Types of fruit were selected based on recommendations by the Nutrition Coordinating Center, at University of Minnesota from results of the multicenter epidemiologic Hispanic Community Health Study. •NFNAP probability-based sampling method not feasible due to limited availability. •Ordered from U.S. wholesalers via Internet; arrived at various stages of ripeness and allowed to fully ripen before composited at FALCC. •Fruits studied and their scientific names and countries of origin (according to the wholesaler) were cherimoya, Annona cherimola, Chile and U.S. (CA); jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus, U.S. (FL); mamey sapote, Pouteria sapota, U.S. (FL); mango, Mangifera indica, Mexico and U.S. (FL); and papaya, Carica papaya, Brazil, Mexico and U.S. (FL). Laboratories conducted analyses of proximate components, sugars, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and carotenoids in all of the nectars and fruit using AOAC or other published methods. CONCLUSION Nutrient composition information assists consumers in making more informed food choices to positively impact their health. All four nectars were added to USDA’s SR in earlier releases. The cherimoya was updated with the new data in the recently released SR22 (USDA, 2009). The remaining four tropical fruits will be updated in SR23. A few more types of tropical fruits commonly consumed by Latinos will be sampled and analyzed in the future. New data will aid in the assessment of nutrient intakes of Latin Americans and help health professionals provide dietary guidance to this population .