Effect of cooking method, distiller's grains, and vitamin E supplementation on the vitamin content of value cuts from beef steers fed wet distiller's grains and solubles and supplemental vitamin E.

Vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B(6), and vitamin B(12) concentrations of flat iron steaks and petite tenders from steers fed finishing rations containing 0% and 40% corn wet distiller's grains and solubles (WDGS) with and without supplemental vitamin E were determined. Feeding treatment groups were: 0% WDGS with basal vitamin E, 0% WDGS with supplemental vitamin E (500 IU daily), 40% WDGS with basal vitamin E, and 40% WDGS and supplemental vitamin E. Cattle can be fed 40% WDGS diets more economically than corn diets. The incorporation of 40% WDGS, with and without vitamin E, was hypothesized to have little effect on the vitamin concentrations of these value meat cuts. Flat iron steaks and petite tenders were broiled and/or grilled to 70 degrees C internal temperature. Mean cooking yields ranged from 68.7% to 78.2%. The majority of the vitamin concentrations of broiled and of grilled meat were significantly different (P < 0.05) from that of raw meat. Vitamin E concentrations of raw and cooked meat from steers that received supplemental vitamin E were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those fed basal vitamin E. Significant differences in thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B(6), and vitamin B(12) concentrations in raw flat iron steaks and in vitamin B(6) in raw petite tenders were observed by WDGS. Thiamin, vitamin B(6), and vitamin B(12) concentrations of broiled flat iron steaks were significantly different (P < 0.05) than grilled. A few differences in vitamin concentrations of the flat iron steaks and petite tenders were observed by WDGS, vitamin E supplementation, and cooking treatments, but most of the vitamin concentrations were statistically similar.

Carotenoid content, physicochemical, and sensory qualities of deep-fried carrot chips as affected by dehydration/rehydration, antioxidant, and fermentation.

Carrot slices were subjected to one of the following experiments prior to deep-frying: (A) dehydration/rehydration, (B) soaking in different antioxidants, and (C) fermentation with/without blanching. There were no significant differences (P > or = 0.05) in carotenoid contents among carrot chips treated with/without dehydration. Soaking in sodium metabisulfite resulted in the highest carotenoid content and lightness (L), redness (a), and yellowness (b) values among the antioxidant treatments. Fermentation without blanching significantly decreased (P < 0.05) carotenoid content, vitamin A activity, and fat content. Dehydration and fermentation with blanching significantly increased (P < 0.05) the lightness (L), redness (a), and yellowness (b) values of the chips. Dehydration/rehydration, but not antioxidant and fermentation, significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the water activity of the chips. The textural values of carrot chips prepared using sodium metabisulfite, without dehydration and without fermentation, were the lowest among other treatments which suggests the crispiest. Carrot chips prepared using sodium metabisulfite, without dehydration and without fermentation, had the highest carotenoid content and retention, and the highest overall acceptability score.

Plasma homocysteine concentrations of Indonesian children with inadequate and adequate vitamin B-6 status.

The objective of the study was to determine the usefulness of utilizing plasma homocysteine concentrations as an indicator of vitamin B-6 status in subjects with inadequate and adequate status as demonstrated by currently accepted indicators. Plasma homocysteine concentrations of 77 third-grade Indonesian children (aged 8-9 y; boys and girls) were measured. About a quarter of these subjects had inadequate vitamin B-6 status as indicated by their plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate concentrations, erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity coefficients, and reported dietary vitamin B-6 intakes. No significant differences in plasma homocysteine concentrations were observed between subject groups shown to have inadequate and adequate vitamin B-6 status using currently accepted indicators. Plasma homocysteine concentrations of the subjects were not correlated with values for other vitamin B-6 indices. Plasma homocysteine concentration was not an indicator of vitamin B-6 status in these children, as it did not differentiate between children shown otherwise to have inadequate and adequate status of the vitamin.

Vitamin B-6 intakes and plasma B-6 vitamer concentrations of men and women, 19-50 years of age.

The vitamin B-6 intakes and plasma B-6 vitamer levels of healthy nonsupplemented men and women, 19-24 and 25-50 years, were compared. The subjects did not take nutrient supplements or medications or use tobacco products. Subjects were grouped as follows: eight, 19-24 y men; nine, 25-50 y men; 11, 19-24 y women; and 13, 25-50 y women. The estimated vitamin B-6 intakes, obtained via 24-h recalls followed by 2-d food records, of the two groups of men were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the two groups of women. Thirty-five percent of the women reported consuming less than the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin B-6. The four gender: age groups had similar B-6 vitamer concentrations of plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, 4-pyridoxic acid, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxamine-5'-phosphate. Males 25-50 y had significantly higher (P < 0.05) plasma pyridoxal concentrations than the two groups of females. All subjects had pyridoxal-5'-phosphate concentrations indicative of vitamin B-6 adequacy. Generally the plasma B-6 vitamer concentrations of these men and women, 19-24 and 25-50 years of age, all having adequate vitamin B-6 status, were similar.

Riboflavin and niacin concentrations of bison cuts.

We analyzed the riboflavin and niacin contents of individual cuts from clod (triceps brachii), ribeye (longissimus thoracis), top round (semimembranosus), and top sirloin (gluteus medius) from 24 fed bison bulls. The bulls came from producers in the United States and Canada and had consumed concentrate diets plus hay free choice for at least 100 d. The mean riboflavin and niacin concentrations of all of the bison cuts combined were .094 and 1.910 mg/100 g wet weight, respectively. The riboflavin and niacin content values did not differ (P < .05) among the cuts of meat. Cuts from individual bulls were significantly different (P < .05) with regard to both riboflavin and niacin contents. Little variation was observed in riboflavin and niacin content of five bison from the same producer and two bison from another producer. These content values may be used in estimating the riboflavin and niacin content of bison meat.

Vitamin B-6 inadequacy is prevalent in rural and urban Indonesian children.

The vitamin B-6 status of Indonesian children was evaluated by determining their dietary vitamin B-6 intakes, erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity coefficients and plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) concentrations. Thirty-eight third-grade elementary school children (ages = 8-9 y) in rural and 39 in urban areas of Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, voluntarily served as subjects. The subjects included 39 male and 38 female students. The mean vitamin B-6 intake of the subjects was 0.57 mg/d. Fifty-five percentage of the children reported consuming <0.5 mg/d of vitamin B-6 (the 1998 Estimated Average Requirement for those 4-8 y). Erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity coefficients >/= 1.25 were observed in 30%, and plasma PLP concentrations

A report of vitamin and mineral supplement use among university athletes in a division I institution.

The influences of gender, ethnicity, and sport of varsity athletes on their vitamin/mineral supplementation habits were examined. Subjects included 145 females and 266 males from 22 varsity teams; 80% were Caucasian; 12% African American; and 8% Combined-Other. Over half of the subjects took supplements. Males were more likely than females to give "too expensive" as a reason for not taking supplements, and "improve athletic performance" and "build muscle" as reasons for taking supplements. The most common supplement was multivitamins plus minerals. Females were more likely to take calcium and iron, and males vitamins B12 and A. African Americans were the most likely to take vitamin A. Males were more likely to get supplement information from nutritionists/dietitians and self, and females from family members or friends and physicians or pharmacists. Football players were more likely to get supplement information from nutritionists/dietitians, and males in other sports from coaches/trainers. There were some differences in vitamin/mineral supplement habits of the athletes by gender, ethnicity, and sport.

Concentrations of selected vitamins and selenium in bison cuts.

We analyzed individual cuts from clod (Triceps brachii), ribeye (Longissimus thoracis), top round (semimembranosus), and top sirloin (Gluteus medius) from 12 fed bison bulls for content of selected vitamins and selenium. The bulls came from producers in the United States and Canada and had consumed concentrate diets plus hay free choice for at least 180 d. The mean nutrient concentrations of all of the bison cuts combined were as follows (per 100 grams of wet weight): .045 mg thiamin, .253 mg vitamin B6, 2.131 microg vitamin B12, no detectable vitamin C, .848 microg vitamin A, .047 mg alpha-tocopherol, .013 mg tau-tocopherol, and 25.464 microg selenium. The nutrient content values did not differ (P > .05) among the cuts of meat. Cuts from individual bulls were different (P < .05) with regard to alpha- and tau-tocopherols, selenium, and vitamin A but not with regard to thiamin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Nutrient concentrations, with the exception of one nutrient, of five bison from the same producer were similar. Great variation was observed between the alpha- and tau-tocopherols, selenium, and vitamin A contents among bison bulls but not among cuts of meat.

beta-Carotene and alpha-tocopherol inhibit the development of atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Male New Zealand White rabbits were made hypercholesterolemic by feeding an atherogenic diet (0.5% cholesterol, 3% peanut oil, and 3% coconut oil) with or without (control) antioxidants for 8 weeks. The antioxidant treatments were intravenous injection of beta-carotene (25 mg/kg/BW, twice weekly), dietary supplementation of alpha-tocopherol (0.5%), and a combination of both. Antioxidant treatments significantly increased plasma and LDL antioxidant levels in the above three groups. Intravenous injection of beta-carotene significantly decreased total and LDL cholesterol concentrations, thoracic atherosclerotic lesion area, and intimal thickness, but had no effects on LDL oxidation ex vivo as compared to control. Added dietary alpha-tocopherol significantly decreased the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation ex vivo, aortic atherosclerotic lesion area and intimal thickness, but had no effects on plasma cholesterol levels as compared to control. Combination of both antioxidants significantly decreased total and LDL cholesterol concentrations, susceptibility of LDL to oxidation ex vivo, as well as atherosclerotic lesion area and intimal thickness at aortic arch and thoracic aorta as compared to control, but not beta-carotene or alpha-tocopherol groups. These data suggest that the antihypercholesterolemic effects of beta-carotene and antioxidant effects of alpha-tocopherol may benefit rabbits fed an atherogenic diet by inhibiting the development of atherosclerotic lesions.

Plasma concentrations of carotenoids and tocopherols in male long-term tobacco chewers, smokers and nonusers.

Plasma carotenoid and tocopherol concentrations of men, aged 25 to 55 years, who were long-term chewers, smokers, or tobacco nonusers were determined. Tobacco users had either chewed (n = 11) or smoked (n = 23) for > 15 years. Nonusers (n = 10) had never smoked > 1 pack or chewed > 34 g. Food energy, mono- and poly-unsaturated and saturated fats, cholesterol, vitamin A, vitamin E, and carotenoid intakes of the three groups were not significantly different. Chewers and smokers reported consuming significantly less cryptoxanthin, found primarily in some fruits, and had significantly lower plasma cryptoxanthin levels than nonusers. Nonusers had significantly higher concentrations of plasma alpha-tocopherol than smokers; whereas those of chewers were intermediate. Nonusers had significantly higher concentrations of plasma gamma-tocopherol and total tocopherols than chewers or smokers. Plasma delta-tocopherol concentrations of the groups were not significantly different. Nonusers had significantly higher levels of beta-carotene than smokers but not chewers. Plasma lutein and lycopene concentrations of all groups were not significantly different. Dietary intakes of total carotenoids and tocopherols of the three groups were not significantly different, yet nonusers had higher plasma concentrations of total and most individual carotenoids and tocopherols than smokers with values for chewers being intermediate.

Erythrocyte and plasma B-6 vitamer concentrations of long-term tobacco smokers, chewers, and nonusers.

Erythrocyte and plasma B-6 vitamer concentrations were determined in males aged 25-55 y who were long-term smokers, chewers, or nonusers. Tobacco users had either smoked (n = 23) or chewed (n = 11) for > 15 y; nonusers (n = 11) had never smoked or chewed. All subjects had normal hematocrit values. Food energy, protein, and vitamin B-6 intakes of the three groups of subjects were not significantly different. All subjects had fasting plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) concentrations indicative of adequacy. Erythrocyte B-6 vitamer and 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) concentrations of all three groups were not significantly different. Nonusers had significantly higher plasma PLP concentrations than did smokers, whereas PLP concentrations of chewers were intermediate between the two groups. Chewers had significantly higher concentrations of plasma pyridoxamine-5'-phosphate (PMP) than other groups. Plasma pyridoxal, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, and 4-PA concentrations of the three groups were not significantly different. Differences in some B-6 vitamer concentrations in plasma but not in erythrocytes were observed between tobacco users and nonusers.

Plasma B-6 vitamer and plasma and urinary 4-pyridoxic acid concentrations in young women as determined using high performance liquid chromatography.

Plasma B-6 vitamer and plasma and urinary 4-pyridoxic acid concentrations of 21 young white women, 21-27 years, having radiomonitored pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and coenzyme stimulation of erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activities indicative of adequate vitamin B-6 status were determined in an effort to establish normal ranges for plasma B-6 vitamers. B-6 vitamers and 4-pyridoxic acid were quantitated using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric and ultraviolet detection. Pyridoxal phosphate values obtained by radioenzymatic and chromatographic, fluorometric and ultraviolet, assays were highly correlated as were pyridoxine phosphate values determined using both detectors. The B-6 vitamer and 4-pyridoxic acid values of these subjects should be of use in the establishment of normal ranges of these congeners in women.

Plasma B6 vitamer and plasma and urinary 4-pyridoxic acid concentrations of middle-aged obese black women.

Plasma B6 vitamer and plasma and urinary 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) concentrations of fifteen middle-aged obese black women were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Estimated protein and vitamin B6 intakes of the subjects, aged 27-52 years, were 64.5 +/- 15.6 g and 1.21 +/- 0.68 mg (mean +/- S.D.), respectively. Mean HPLC-derived plasma B6 vitamer and 4-PA concentrations for these subjects were 68.9, 3.1, 1.2, 4.1, 3.4, 7.2 and 2.0 nmol/l for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxine 5'-phosphate, pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate, pyridoxal, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine and 4-PA, respectively. The mean urinary 4-PA/creatinine ratio of the women was 0.88 mumol/mmol. All subjects had plasma PLP levels indicative of adequate vitamin B6 status. Vitamin B6 status parameters of the middle-aged obese black women were similar to those previously reported for white nonobese women having adequate vitamin B6 status.

Separation and quantification of the B6 vitamers in plasma and 4-pyridoxic acid in urine of adolescent girls by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

The vitamin B6 status of seemingly healthy adolescent girls was determined using several accepted and proposed parameters in an effort to establish guidelines for status evaluation. High-performance liquid chromatography-derived plasma B6 vitamers (pyridoxal phosphate, PLP; pyridoxine phosphate. PNP; pyridoxamine phosphate, PMP; pyridoxal, PL; pyridoxine, PN; and pyridoxamine, PM) and 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) concentrations and urinary 4-PA levels of 28 white adolescent females, 12-15 years, having radiomonitored plasma PLP concentrations and coenzyme stimulation of erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activities indicative of adequate status were determined. Mean vitamin B6 and protein intakes were 1.48 mg and 78.3 g. Ranges for plasma B6 vitamer and 4-PA concentrations (nmol/l) were: PLP, 40.9-122.2; PNP, non-detectable (ND)-16.1; PMP, ND-8.1; PL, ND-15; PN, ND-21.9; PM, ND-17.8; and 4-PA, ND-55.7. PLP was the only vitamer found in plasma of all subjects. Urinary 4-PA concentrations ranged from 0.11 to 2.50 mumol/mmol of creatinine. B6 vitamer values of these girls should be of use in the establishment of normal ranges for vitamin B6 status parameters.

Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentrations in obese and nonobese black women residing near Petersburg, VA.

The vitamin B-6 status of 15 obese and 15 nonobese black women aged 21-51 y who were not taking vitamin supplements was assessed by using plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) measurements. Ages, heights, and ideal body weights of the two groups were similar as were reported energy, protein, and vitamin B-6 intakes obtained by using 24-h intake data collected on two nonconsecutive days separated by at least 1 wk. The reported vitamin B-6 intakes were 1.18 +/- 0.44 mg/d (means +/- SD). Plasma PLP levels in the obese and nonobese black women were similar; these levels were also similar to those observed previously for white obese and nonobese women having similar physical characteristics. All subjects had plasma PLP levels indicative of adequate status with one possible exception. Obesity did not affect the plasma PLP levels in these black women.

Maternal aerobic exercise and vitamin B-6 status.

Effects of an aerobic walking program during gestational weeks 22-30 on vitamin B-6 status and birth outcome were studied in 28 healthy pregnant women, aged 21-36 y, receiving vitamin-mineral supplements. Mean daily vitamin B-6 intake, excluding a 10-mg supplement, was 1.81 mg. Subjects in the walking (n = 18) and nonwalking (n = 10) groups had similar microbiologically assessed plasma total vitamin B-6 levels and radioenzymatically assessed plasma pyridoxal phosphate concentrations. One walker at 22 wk and at 30 wk and a second walker at 30 wk had plasma total vitamin B-6 concentrations in the low-normal range; the same was true for plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels except that the 30-wk value for the walker who was low at 22 wk was missing. Birth-outcome measurements were similar for both groups. Participation in the walking program slightly improved aerobic fitness without affecting vitamin B-6 status or birth outcome in pregnant women taking vitamin-mineral supplements.

Riboflavin and thiamin status and birth outcome as a function of maternal aerobic exercise.

Twenty-eight healthy pregnant women taking vitamin-mineral supplements served as controls or participated in a walking program from 22 to 30 wk gestation to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on maternal riboflavin and thiamin status and birth outcome. Aerobic capacity was evaluated by heart rate (HR) and relative oxygen consumption (RVO2) during submaximal treadmill walking. HR responses at 30 wk gestation were significantly lower for walking (n = 18) than nonwalking (n = 10) groups at 2 and 4 min of exercise. RVO2 for walkers decreased significantly from 22 to 30 wk at 2, 4, and 6 min. Riboflavin and thiamin status, determined by erythrocyte glutathione reductase and transketolase activity coefficients, was adequate for 86 and 96% of the subjects, respectively. Birth-outcome measurements were similar for all subjects. Participation in the walking program slightly improved aerobic capacity without affecting riboflavin or thiamin status or birth outcome in pregnant women taking vitamin-mineral supplements.