Retinol Activity Equivalents Research Articles

Intakes of fat and micronutrients between ages 13 and 18 years and the incidence of proliferative benign breast disease.

Dietary exposures during adolescence may exert important effects on breast development and future breast cancer risk. This study evaluated the associations between high school intakes of fat and micronutrients and the incidence of proliferative benign breast disease (BBD), a marker of increased breast cancer risk. 29,480 women (mean age 43.3 years, range 33.6-52.9) completed a high school food frequency questionnaire in 1998 in the Nurses' Health Study II. Between 1991 and 2001, 682 women (follow-up time: 259,828 person-years) were diagnosed with proliferative BBD whose biopsy slides were reviewed and confirmed by the study pathologists. In multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, high school intakes of total fat and types of fat were not associated with proliferative BBD. Women in the highest quintile of total retinol activity equivalents (RAEs), which incorporate retinol, α- and β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin intakes, had a 17 % lower risk of proliferative BBD than those in the lowest quintile [multivariate hazard ratio (HR) 95 % CI 0.83 (0.64, 1.07), p trend = 0.01]; however, additional adjustment for high school dietary factors (vitamin D, nuts, and fiber) rendered the association nonsignificant [0.99 (0.73, 1.34), p trend = 0.32]. Results were similar with additional adjustment for adult RAE intake. Intakes of vitamin E and individual carotenoids were not associated with proliferative BBD, although an inverse association cannot be ruled out. In this study, adolescent fat and micronutrient intakes were not associated with risk of proliferative BBD.

Lipid-dissolved γ-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene in globular chromoplasts of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) fruits.

High levels of β-carotene, lycopene, and the rare γ-carotene occur predominantly lipid-dissolved in the chromoplasts of peach palm fruits. First proof of their absorption from these fruits is reported. The structural diversity, the physical deposition state in planta, and the human bioavailability of carotenoids from the edible fruits of diverse orange and yellow-colored peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) varieties were investigated. HPLC-PDA-MS(n) revealed a broad range of carotenes, reaching total carotenoid levels from 0.7 to 13.9mg/100g FW. Besides the predominant (all-E)-β-carotene (0.4-5.4mg/100g FW), two (Z)-isomers of γ-carotene (0.1-3.9mg/100g FW), and one (Z)-lycopene isomer (0.04-0.83mg/100g FW) prevailed. Approximately 89-94% of total carotenoid content pertained to provitamin A carotenoids with retinol activity equivalents ranging from 37 to 609µg/100g FW. The physical deposition state of these carotenoids in planta was investigated using light, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy. The plastids found in both orange and yellow-colored fruit mesocarps were amylo-chromoplasts of the globular type, containing carotenoids predominantly in a lipid-dissolved form. The hypothesis of lipid-dissolved carotenoids was supported by simple solubility estimations based on carotenoid and lipid contents of the fruit mesocarp. In our study, we report first results on the human bioavailability of γ-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene from peach palm fruit, particularly proving the post-prandial absorption of the rarely occurring γ-carotene. Since the physical state of carotenoid deposition has been shown to be decisive for carotenoid bioavailability, lipid-dissolved carotenoids in peach palm fruits are expected to be highly bioavailable, however, further studies are required.

Vitamin A and anthropometric status of South African preschool children from four areas with known distinct eating patterns

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the vitamin A and anthropometric status of South African preschool children from four areas with known distinct eating patterns. MethodsSerum retinol, anthropometric indicators, and dietary intake were determined for randomly selected preschool children from two rural areas, i.e. KwaZulu-Natal (n = 140) and Limpopo (n = 206); an urban area in the Northern Cape (n = 194); and an urban metropolitan area in the Western Cape (n = 207). ResultsSerum retinol <20 μg/dL was prevalent in 8.2% to 13.6% children. Between 3% (urban-Northern Cape) and 44.2% (rural-Limpopo) children had received a high-dose vitamin A supplement during the preceding 6 mo. Vitamin A derived from fortified bread and/or maize meal ranged from 65 μg retinol activity equivalents (24%–31% of the Estimated Average Requirement) to 160 μg retinol activity equivalents (58%–76% Estimated Average Requirement). Fortified bread and/or maize meal contributed 57% to 59% of total vitamin A intake in rural children, and 28% to 38% in urban children. Across the four areas, stunting in children ranged from 13.9% to 40.9%; and overweight from 1.2% to 15.1%. ConclusionPrevalence of vitamin A deficiency was lower than national figures, and did not differ across areas despite differences in socioeconomics, dietary intake, and vitamin A supplementation coverage. Rural children benefited more from the national food fortification program in terms of vitamin A intake. Large variations in anthropometric status highlight the importance of targeting specific nutrition interventions, taking into account the double burden of overnutrition and undernutrition.

The potential of orange-fleshed sweet potato to prevent vitamin A deficiency in Africa.

Vitamin A deficiency is among major health problems worldwide that leads to blindness, retarded growth and death, particularly in developing countries. In these countries, vitamin A deficiency largely affects pre-school children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and the rural poor. For instance, the predicted prevalence of vitamin A deficiency for 36 sub-Saharan African countries is 19.1%. Different strategies, including vitamin A supplementation, food fortification and dietary diversification, have been used to combat this problem. However, these strategies are not sustainable due to their high costs. Orange-fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) is a low priced crop, which is part of staple foods in most of sub-Saharan Africa that can be a year-round source of vitamin A. Most of the orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties contain 3000-16000 μg 100 g(-1) of β-carotene and this contributes to 250 to 1300 μg 100 g(-1) Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE). Therefore, by using orange-fleshed sweet potato, it is possible to improve vitamin A status, increase the bio-availability of different micro-nutrients such as Fe, Zn, Ca and Mg, reduce vitamin A deficiency and hence reduce child mortality rates by 23 to 30%. The article highlights the significance of vitamin A for human nutrition, the effect of vitamin A deficiency, the different prevention methods and the potential of orange- fleshed sweet potato as a food crop to prevent vitamin A deficiency.

Acute phase response is associated with decreased nutrient intake and altered markers of micronutrient status in Zambian children (624.16)

The acute phase (AP) response to infection decreases appetite and alters markers of micronutrient status. The effect of febrile malaria on dietary intake was determined using data from a 3‐mo controlled feeding trial in Zambian children (n = 181, 3‐5 y). Lower intakes were observed for all variables during malaria (food 289 ± 412 g; energy 248 ± 346 kcal; carbohydrate 42 ± 62 g; protein 8 ± 12 g; fat 5 ± 7 g; iron 1 ± 2 mg; zinc 1 ± 1 mg; vitamin A [VA] 58 ± 100 retinol activity equivalents; all P &lt; 0.05). The impact of infection on VA and iron markers was elucidated with baseline (B) and final (F) bloods. Early, mid, and convalescing stages of infection were identified with the respective categories of AP proteins: raised C‐reactive protein (CRP &gt; 5 mg/L or &gt; 10 mg/L) only, raised CRP and α1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP &gt; 1.2 g/L), and raised AGP only. Hemoglobin (Hb) decreased (14–15% at B; 11 – 16% at F; P &lt; 0.05), plasma ferritin (PF) increased (359–356% at B; 279–353% at F; P &lt; 0.05), serum retinol (SR) decreased (21% at B with CRP&gt; 5 mg/L; 30–33% at F; P &lt; 0.05), and MRDR score was unaffected (P &gt; 0.05) during mid‐infection. Hb, SR, and MRDR did not change during convalescence; however, PF remained increased (67–84% at B; 157% at F with CRP &gt;10 mg/L; P &lt; 0.05). Patterns of significance were similar when using either CRP &gt; 5 mg/L or &gt; 10 mg/L as the raised cut‐off point. More research is needed to examine early infection. It is important to consider the impact of infection on dietary interventions and to adjust for AP proteins when assessing iron status or VA status by serum retinol in children.

Breast Milk Retinol and Plasma Retinol-Binding Protein Concentrations Provide Similar Estimates of Vitamin A Deficiency Prevalence and Identify Similar Risk Groups among Women in Cameroon but Breast Milk Retinol Underestimates the Prevalence of Deficiency among Young Children1–3

Breast milk vitamin A (BMVA) has been proposed as an indicator of population vitamin A status but has rarely been applied in large-scale surveys or compared with conventional vitamin A biomarkers. We assessed the prevalence of, and risk factors for, low BMVA and its relation to vitamin A intake, plasma retinol-binding protein (pRBP), and markers of inflammation in a national survey in Cameroon. We randomly selected 30 clusters in each of 3 strata (South, North, and Cities). Casual milk samples were collected from approximately 5 women per cluster (n = 440). pRBP, plasma C-reactive protein (pCRP), plasma α1-acid glycoprotein (pAGP), and 24-h vitamin A intake were assessed in 10 women aged 15–49 y and 10 children aged 12–59 mo per cluster, including a subset of lactating women (n = 253). Low BMVA was infrequent: 7.2% (95% CI: 4.7, 9.8) of values were <1.05 μmol/L, and 9.3% (95% CI: 5.8, 12.7) were <8 μg/g fat, consistent with the low prevalence of pRBP <0.78 μmol/L among women (< 5%) but lower than the prevalence of pRBP <0.83 μmol/L among children (35%). Risk factors for both low BMVA and pRBP included living in the North and low maternal education. BMVA was positively associated with inflammation-adjusted pRBP among women in the lowest vitamin A intake tertile [<115 μg retinol activity equivalents (RAEs)/d, P < 0.01] but not in the highest tertile (>644 μg RAEs/d, P > 0.4). Controlling for milk fat, BMVA was negatively associated with pCRP (P < 0.02) but not pAGP (P > 0.5). BMVA and pRBP provide similar estimates of vitamin A deficiency prevalence and identify the same risk groups among women in Cameroon, but BMVA underestimates the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency among young children.

Quantification of food and nutrient intakes in Zambian children with and without malaria under controlled feeding conditions

Vitamin A supplementation improves status, which may protect against malarial infection. Provitamin A carotenoid biofortified staple crops may provide a more sustainable approach to alleviate vitamin A deficiency than supplementation, but the impact of febrile illness on food intake must be considered in malaria endemic regions. Morbidity data and food logs from a three-month efficacy trial on provitamin A biofortified (orange) maize in preschool Zambian children (n = 181, age 3-5 years) were systematically analyzed over time to determine the impact of malaria on food intake. Nutrients examined included macronutrients, iron, zinc, and vitamin A. Comparisons based on individual intakes in healthy and malarial states over three-day intervals were made including children from both the orange and white maize groups (n = 100). Malaria prevalence did not differ overall or between treatment groups over time (all P > 0.05). Lower nutrient intakes were observed for all variables during malaria outbreaks (food 289 ± 412 g; energy 248 ± 346 kcal; carbohydrate 42 ± 62 g; protein 8 ± 12 g; fat 5 ± 7 g; iron 1 ± 2 mg; zinc 1 ± 1 mg; vitamin A 58 ± 100 retinol activity equivalents; all P < 0.05). No differences were observed between nutrient decreases in orange and white maize groups (P > 0.05). Considering the impact of malaria on food and nutrient intakes and increased vitamin A utilization and excretion due to the acute phase response, biofortification targets for provitamin A carotenoids may need to be elevated in malaria endemic regions.

A Critical Review on Carotenoid Research in Sri Lankan Context and Its Outcomes

As determined by countrywide assessments, vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in Sri Lanka. Study of carotenoid profile and content could be important to nutritionists as some carotenoids act as precursors of vitamin A. Sri Lanka has a remarkable diversity of carotenoid sources. A number of Sri Lankan sources of carotenoids have been studied by many authors. This study reviews carotenoid research done in Sri Lanka, comparing results which are generally in conflict with a few relevant studies abroad, while focusing on problems of carotenoid research and concluding that it is difficult for a dietician to predict carotenoid intake due to marked biological variation. Therefore, any database on carotenoid covering the entire country has its limitations. Further that even if carotenoid profiles are known using exhaustive sampling, there can be no single method of calculating retinol equivalent (RE) and retinol activity equivalent (RAE) especially as carotenoid uptake and bioconversion could be multifactorially affected and subject to control mechanisms. Therefore, RE and RAE should be calculated differently for different types of plant materials may even be expanded so that a unique calculation depending on plant material and method of cooking.

Antioxidant effects on retinyl palmitate stability and isomerization in nonfat dry milk during thermally accelerated storage

The effects of antioxidants on vitamin A oxidation and isomerization in nonfat dry milk (NFDM) were evaluated during thermally accelerated storage. High performance liquid chromatography was used to measure all-trans, 13-cis, 9-cis, and 9, 13-di-cis retinol present in two lots of antioxidant-treated, vitamin A and D fortified NFDM samples at zero, one, and two weeks of 50 °C storage. After two weeks, the NFDM sample retaining the most vitamin A was the one treated with butylated hydroxytoluene at 0.29 ppm with 250 ppm ascorbic acid; this treatment retained approximately 76% of its original retinol activity equivalents. The control retained significantly less than this: only 19% of its original vitamin A activity. Butylated hydroxytoluene in combination with ascorbic acid appears to be effective in the preservation of vitamin A in NFDM during heated storage; however, its use in dried beverage mixes is currently prohibited.

Vitamin D intake and lung cancer risk in the Women’s Health Initiative

Prior research suggests that vitamin D protects against lung cancer only among certain subgroups. We investigated whether vitamin D intake was associated with lung cancer and explored whether vitamin A intake modified the association. Prospective cohort data from 128,779 postmenopausal women, including 1771 incident lung cancers in the Women's Health Initiative (Clinical Trials and Observational Study) 1993-2010, were analyzed. Twelve percent of women received active intervention (1 g Ca + 400 IU vitamin D3/d) in the Calcium/Vitamin D Trial. Baseline total intake included both dietary intake (from food-frequency questionnaires) and supplement intake (from bottle labels). HRs were estimated by Cox proportional hazard models. No significant association was observed overall. Among never smokers, a total vitamin D intake ≥400 IU/d was significantly associated with lower risks of lung cancer (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.77 for ≥800 compared with <100 IU/d; P-trend = 0.01). No significant effect modification of total vitamin A intake on the association between total vitamin D intake and lung cancer was found. However, the Calcium/Vitamin D Trial active intervention was significantly associated with a lower lung cancer risk only among women with a vitamin A intake <1000 μg/d retinol activity equivalents (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.96; P-interaction = 0.09). Vitamin D intake was associated with a lower lung cancer risk in never-smoking, postmenopausal women. Lower vitamin A intake may be important for a beneficial association of 1 g Ca + 400 IU vitamin D3 supplementation with lung cancer. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00000611.

Profiles of carotenoids during post-climacteric ripening of some important cultivars of banana and development of a dry product from a high carotenoid yielding variety

Since vitamin A deficiency is prevalent in many developing countries, we sought to focus research on local, affordable and well-accepted sources of provitamin A carotenoids. As dessert bananas are consumed fresh round the year and processed as products, this study investigated whether post-climacteric biochemical changes are linked to carotenoid degradation in four Indian varieties, one commercial (Cavendish, AAA), one Red banana (genome AAA) and two locally-important ones (genome AAB). Despite large differences in their ripening characteristics, textural loss was lesser in AABs than AAAs. High levels of carotenoids (21.0 μg/g FW), β-carotene (9.14 μg/g FW) and α-carotene (9.32 μg/g FW) were found in Red banana accounting for retinol activity equivalent of 114 μg/100 g FW. The carotenoid levels were lower in two local varieties and lowest in Cavendish, with no post-climacteric loss. Dry grits, prepared using Red banana pulp, milk powder and sugar, retained about 70% carotenoids and appeared useful in confectionaries.

Software application for the calculation of dietary intake of individual carotenoids and of its contribution to vitamin A intake.

The software applications utilized to assess dietary intake usually focus on macro- and micronutrients, but not on other components of the diet with potential beneficial effects on health, which include the carotenoids. The degree to which each carotenoid exerts diverse biological activities differs and, thus, it is in our interest to know their composition in foods on an individual basis. To develop a software application with individualized data on carotenoids that enables the calculation of their dietary intake and consultation of the contents of these compounds in foods. Software application developed with Java 7, which includes a database of the carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, ?-cryptoxanthin, ?-carotene and ?-carotene) in foods (including those that are major contributors to carotenoid intake in Europe), generated by HPLC. The variables include those relative to the foods, subjects and diets that are necessary to provide accurate information on the content of carotenoids in foods and to enable the calculation of their intake. The software application enables the calculation of the dietary intake of individual carotenoids from 128 foods (raw and cooked), and their contribution to vitamin A intake, in the two forms employed at the present time: retinol equivalents (RE) and retinol activity equivalents (RAE). This software application is a dynamic, specific and accurate tool for the consultation of carotenoid concentrations in foods and the calculation of their intake, aspects that are essential in research studies on diet and health.

Abstract 2572: Vitamin D intake and lung cancer risk in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).

Abstract Background: Prior research suggests that vitamin D protects against lung cancer with evidence only among subgroups including women and non-smokers. We investigated whether vitamin D intake was associated with lung cancer and explored whether vitamin A intake modified the association. Methods: Data from 128,779 postmenopausal women including 1,771 incident lung cancers in the Women's Health Initiative, 1993-2010, were analyzed. Twelve percent of women received active intervention (1 g calcium+400 IU vitamin D3 daily) in the Calcium/Vitamin D Trial. Baseline total intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire and supplement bottle labels. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated by Cox proportional hazard models. Results: No association was observed overall. Among never smokers, vitamin D intake was inversely associated with total lung cancer (HR=0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.18-0.77, ≥800 vs. &amp;lt;100 IU/d; P-trend=0.01). The Calcium/Vitamin D Trial active intervention was not associated with a lower lung cancer risk among women with vitamin A intake ≥1,000 μg/d Retinol Activity Equivalent (RAE), but among those with vitamin A intake &amp;lt;1,000 μg/d RAE (HR=0.69, 95% CI=0.50-0.96; P-interaction=0.09). Among current smokers with excess vitamin A intake (≥3,000 μg/d RAE), the intervention was associated with a higher lung cancer risk (HR=2.26, 95% CI=1.02-5.01), as no association was observed among current smokers with vitamin A intake &amp;lt;3,000 μg/d RAE (P-interaction=0.01). Conclusion: Vitamin D intake was associated with a lower lung cancer risk in never-smoking, postmenopausal women. Lower vitamin A intake may be important for a beneficial association of 1 g calcium+400 IU vitamin D3 supplementation with lung cancer. Citation Format: Ting-Yuan David Cheng, Andrea Z. LaCroix, Shirley A.A. Beresford, Gary E. Goodman, Mark D. Thornquist, Yingye Zheng, Rowan T. Chlebowski, Gloria Y.F. Ho, Marian L. Neuhouser. Vitamin D intake and lung cancer risk in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2572. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2572

RETENTION OF PROVITAMIN A CAROTENOIDS DURING POSTHARVEST RIPENING AND PROCESSING OF THREE POPULAR MUSA CULTIVARS IN SOUTH-WESTERN UGANDA

Banana and plantain (Musa spp.) form an important part of the diet of communities in Uganda. Despite preliminary indications that some cultivars could be good sources of provitamin A carotenoids (pVACs), vitamin A deficiency remains a health problem in banana-dependent regions of Uganda. The most popular Musa cultivars in southwestern Uganda include two East African highland bananas (AAA-EA) 'Entaragaza' and 'Mbwazirume', and one plantain (AAB) 'Manjaya-Gonja'. The AAA-EAs are mostly eaten steamed, while the plantain is generally roasted. Retention levels of pVACs during fruit ripening and processing of these popular cultivars were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Highest levels were found for ripe 'Entaragaza' (7319 µg/100 g dw), fully ripe 'Mbwazirume' (6493 µg/100 g dw) and fully ripe 'Manjaya-Gonja' (13,377 µg/100 g dw). Steamed 'Entaragaza' and 'Mbwazirume' retained more than 90% of total pVACs. Roasting, deep-frying and steaming of 'Manjaya-Gonja' resulted in substantial loss of pVACs, with the highest loss (58.5%) observed after deep-frying in fully refined vegetable oil. All-trans β- and all-trans α-carotene constituted over 87% of the total carotenoids. The plantain 'Manjaya-Gonja' had a significantly higher proportion of β-carotene, while the AAA-EAs had significantly higher proportions of α-carotene. Although no cis α-carotenes and only negligible levels of cis β-carotene were observed during ripening, after processing the proportion of cis-carotenoids increased to about 10%. Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE) in the processed products ranged from 97.91 to 138.16 µg/100 g edible portion. Therefore, consumption of 100 g of the tested products theoretically meets 24-35 and 16-20% of the vitamin A RDAs of a preschooler and a woman of reproductive age. Although steaming retains the highest levels pVACs, the tested Musa cultivars can make substantial contribution to vitamin A requirements of vulnerable groups whether roasted, boiled or fried.

Dietary vitamin A intake below the recommended daily intake during pregnancy and the risk of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in the offspring

Vitamin A has been related to the etiology of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We performed a case-control study to investigate whether maternal dietary vitamin A intake is related to CDH in the offspring. Thirty-one pregnancies diagnosed with CDH and 46 control pregnancies were included during the study. After CDH diagnosis and inclusion of controls by risk set sampling, maternal vitamin A intake was investigated with a food frequency questionnaire. Serum retinol and retinol-binding protein were determined. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate risk estimates with adjustment for potential confounders. We found no significant differences in the overall nutrient and vitamin A intake between case and control mothers. After stratification in body mass index (BMI) categories, case mothers with normal weight showed a lower energy adjusted vitamin A intake (685 vs. 843 μg retinol activity equivalents [RAEs] / day; p = 0.04) and a slightly lower serum retinol (1.58 vs. 1.67 μmol/L; p = 0.08) than control mothers. Vitamin A intake <800 μg retinol activity equivalents (recommended daily intake) in normal weight mothers was associated with a significantly increased CDH risk (odds ratio [OR], 7.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-34.4; p = 0.01). Associations were not significantly different in underweight and overweight mothers. In normal-weight mothers, dietary vitamin A intake during pregnancy below the recommended daily intake is significantly associated with an increased risk of a child with CDH. This finding supports the retinoid hypothesis in human CDH, but warrants further investigation in larger study populations. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Content and Retention of Provitamin A Carotenoids Following Ripening and Local Processing of Four Popular Musa Cultivars from Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

&lt;p&gt;Changes in the concentrations and retention levels of total and individual provitamin A carotenoids (pVACs) during ripening and local processing of the four most popular &lt;em&gt;Musa&lt;/em&gt; cultivars of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo were established through HPLC analysis. The predominant pVACs were all &lt;em&gt;trans&lt;/em&gt; ?- and ?-carotene, together constituting about 90% of total pVACs content in raw and processed &lt;em&gt;Musa&lt;/em&gt; fruit pulp. The proportion of ?- and ?-carotene was not significantly different in the tested East African Highland Bananas (AAA-EAHB) (‘Nshikazi’ and ‘Vulambya’); in the plantains (‘Musilongo’ and ‘Musheba’), proportion of ?-carotene was almost twice that of ?-carotene. An increase in total pVACs was observed during ripening, with highest levels at ripening stage 3 in all four cultivars. Total pVACs values were as high as 1081µg/100gfw in ‘Vulambya’ and 1819µg/100gfw in ‘Musilongo’. Boiling of the AAA-EAHB and AAB-Plantains resulted to retention of between 40-90% and &amp;gt;95% respectively. Plantains deep-fried in fully-refined palm oil and crude red palm oil for 2 minutes did not seem to lose any pVACs, the levels of total pVACs observed after frying were 100% of what was observed when the fruit was raw. Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE), in boiled products varied between 22.3 and 173 RAEµg/100gfw, whereas deep fried products had &amp;gt;190 RAEµg/100g edible portion. These results show that the tested AAA-EAHBs and the plantains could meet at least 14% and 30 % of Vitamin A recommended dietary intakes respectively. The findings can therefore guide consumer consumption patterns to maximize vitamin A intake for improved health in these regions and also direct researchers in the selection of &lt;em&gt;Musa&lt;/em&gt; cultivars to be incorporated within existing farming systems in the fight against vitamin A deficiency (VAD).&lt;/p&gt;

Daily Consumption of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato for 60 Days Increased Plasma β-Carotene Concentration but Did Not Increase Total Body Vitamin A Pool Size in Bangladeshi Women1–3

We assessed the effect of daily consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP), with or without added fat, on the vitamin A (VA) status of Bangladeshi women with low initial VA status. Women (n= 30/group) received one of the following for 6 d/wk over 10 wk:1) 0μg retinol activity equivalents (RAE)/d as boiled white-fleshed sweet potatoes (WFSP) and a corn oil capsule,2) 600μg RAE/d as boiled OFSP and a corn oil capsule,3) fried OFSP and a corn oil capsule, or4) boiled WFSP and a retinyl palmitate capsule in addition to their home diets. Plasma concentrations of retinol and β-carotene and total body VA pool size were assessed before and after the 60-d intervention. Initial and final plasma retinol concentrations (mean ± SD) were 0.75 ± 0.18μmol/L and 0.84 ± 0.19μmol/L, respectively (P= 0.31); final means did not differ by group. Initial and final plasma β-carotene concentrations were 0.10 ± 00μmol/L and 0.18 ± 0.09μmol/L, respectively (P< 0.0001); final mean plasma β-carotene concentrations were higher in groups that received OFSP (P< 0.0001), and final mean plasma β-carotene was marginally higher in the group that received fried OFSP compared with boiled OFSP (P= 0.07). Initial and final total body VA pool sizes were 0.060 ± 0.047 mmol and 0.091 ± 0.070 mmol, respectively (P= 0.05,n= 110) and did not differ by group. Despite an increase in plasma β-carotene concentration, the impact of OFSP on VA status appears to be limited in Bangladeshi women residing in a resource-poor community.

Effect of a multi‐step preparation of amaranth and palm nut sauces on their carotenoid content and retinol activity equivalent values

SummaryThe preparation of a traditional sauce based on amaranth leaves cooked palm nuts or red palm oil (RPO) in Benin was described. The recipes included an optional step of leaf blanching at 100 °C, heating the RPO or boiling the palm nuts and finally cooking all the ingredients together. The influence of this multi‐step preparation on the carotenoid content of the final dish was measured. During blanching of amaranth leaves, violaxanthin was the only carotenoid to be significantly affected by the thermal treatment. Retinol activity equivalent (RAE) remained high after blanching even when alkaline traditional potash was added. Heating the RPO was the most critical step because it considerably and very rapidly (in &lt;3 min) decreased α‐carotene, β‐carotene and RAE values (more than 70%). Sauces calling for palm nuts, RPO and amaranth leaves were equally advantageous in terms of final RAE value. These ingredients and sauces can thus be used in programmes to reduce vitamin A deficiency.

Carotenoid data base to assess dietary intake of carotenes, xanthophyls and vitamin A; its use in a comparative study of vitamin A nutritional status in young adults

1) Develop a database of carotenoids (BD-carotenoids) in foods widely consumed in Spain. 2) To assess the vitamin A nutritional status (expressed as retinol equivalents [RE] and retinol activity equivalents [RAE]) in young adults. The BD-carotenoids includes data on carotenes (β-carotene, α-carotene and lycopene) and xanthophylls (β-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin) generated by HPLC. Vitamin A intake was assessed by a 3-day food record in 54 adults (20-35 years of age, not obese and with serum retinol > 30 µg/dl), using the BD-carotenoids and a Food Composition Table widely used in Spain. The BD-carotenoids includes data on 89 foods (9 raw or boiled and 14 processed). The intake of provitamin-A carotenoids is 2.5 mg/p/d, that of RE 682 µg/p/d and that of RAE 499 µg/p/d. The vitamin A intake expressed as RAE is 27% lower than that expressed as RE. Seventy-six percent of the intake meets the daily intake recommendations and 63% meets the reference daily intakes of vitamin A. Data on individual carotenoids ensure greater accuracy in studies on diet and health, and provide easier assessment of the vitamin A intake, expressed as RE, RAE, or any other future forms. The vitamin A intake expressed as RAE represents a substantial reduction in the carotenoid contribution to vitamin A intake, which enhances the detection of inadequacies of that intake.

The contribution of β‐carotene to vitamin A supply of humans

Populations that administer highly restrictive diets using a strong dietary regime, excluding certain types of food, might be at risk of vitamin A insufficiency, even in developed countries. Thus, provitamin A carotenoids from plants represent an additional major dietary source of vitamin A for most of the world's population. Our aim was to estimate the contribution of β-carotene to vitamin A supply in industrialized countries using available data from the literature. A total of 11 studies from 8 countries were used, representing data of 121,256 participants. Intakes of total vitamin A, provitamin A carotenoids, including β-carotene were retrieved and used to calculate the retinol activity equivalents (RAE) utilizing current conversion factors. Mean total daily dietary intake of RAE was 1083±175. The mean β-carotene intake was 3.9 mg/day. Preformed vitamin A accounts for nearly 65% of total vitamin A intake, carotenoids make up 35%. No statistical differences between men and women in total intake of retinol were observed. We conclude that a safe vitamin A intake in general cannot be reached by consuming only one component (vitamin A or β-carotene) alone, even in Western countries where animal products are commonly available.