ABSTRACT
High kernel-zinc maize varieties are available to consumers in several countries in Latin America to contribute to increase the zinc intake of their populations. Minerals, phytic acid and amino acids retention were measured after processing six maize varieties including three high kernel-zinc, one quality protein maize and two conventional maize. Grain for each variety was processed into tortillas, arepas and mazamorra, common maize dishes in the region. To evaluate the effect of processing kernel-zinc maize varieties on zinc retention, varieties were grouped in zinc biofortified maize (ZBM) and non-ZBM. Iron, zinc, phytic acid, tryptophan and lysine concentrations in non-processed maize were 17.1-19.1 âµg/g DW, 23.9-33.0 âµg/g DW, 9.9-10.0 âmg/g DW, 0.06-0.08% and 0.27-0.37%, respectively. In tortillas, the iron, zinc, phytic acid and lysine content did not change (p â< â0.05) compared to raw grain, while tryptophan decreased by 32%. True retention of iron in arepas and mazamorra was 43.9 and 60.0%, for zinc 36.8 and 41.3%, and for phytic acid 19.3 and 25.1%. Tortillas had higher zinc retention than arepas and mazamorra due to use of whole grain in the nixtamalization process. Therefore, to contribute to higher zinc intake, nixtamalized tortilla prepared with biofortified zinc maize is recommended. Additionally, promotion of whole grain flour to prepare arepas should be explored to enhance the intake of minerals that are usually confined to aleurone layers and germ.
ABSTRACT
Biofortification is a strategy to reduce micronutrient malnutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate whether consumption of biofortified fresh maize can supply nutritionally meaningful amounts of provitamin A carotenoids (PVA), zinc, lysine, and tryptophan. The accumulation patterns for PVA and tocochromanol compounds in developing grain of 23 PVA hybrids was studied, and nutritionally meaningful amounts of those compounds were found in grain by milk stage, when fresh maize is eaten. The highest PVA and tocochromanol accumulation occurred by physiological maturity. The percent apparent retention in boiled fresh maize was 92%, 117%, 99%, and 66% for PVA, zinc, lysine, and tryptophan, respectively. Consumption of 0.5 to 2 ears of fresh maize daily could supply 33-62.2%, 11-24% and more than 85% of the estimated average requirement of PVA, tryptophan, and zinc, respectively. The results indicate that eating biofortified fresh maize can contribute to improved micronutrient nutrition.
