Further analyses on Micronesian banana, taro, breadfruit and other foods for provitamin A carotenoids and minerals

• Published in: Journal of food composition and analysis 2003-04, Vol.16 (2), p.219-236
• Main Authors: Englberger, Lois, Aalbersberg, William, Ravi, Praveen, Bonnin, Evelyn, Marks, Geoffrey C, Fitzgerald, Maureen H, Elymore, Jane
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Banana; Biological and medical sciences; Breadfruit; Cultivars; Food industries; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HPLC; ICP; Micronesia; Minerals; Taro; Vitamin A deficiency; Zinc; α-carotene; β-carotene
• ISSN: 0889-1575; 1096-0481
• DOI: 10.1016/S0889-1575(02)00171-0

Few Micronesian foods have been analyzed for nutrient content. Information is needed on locally grown, culturally acceptable foods that could be promoted to alleviate vitamin A deficiency in the Federated States of Micronesia. Using an ethnographic approach that included key informant interviews and observation, Micronesian cultivars with potential for high-carotenoid content according to their coloration were identified. These cultivars of banana, giant swamp taro, breadfruit and other foods were analyzed for α- and β-carotene using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and for nine minerals using inductively coupled plasma (ICP). A wide range of provitamin A carotenoid levels was found in banana, taro, and breadfruit cultivars, some containing very high levels ( β-carotene content from 515 to 6360 μg/100 g in banana, 260 to 1651 μg/100 g in taro, and 295 to 868 μg/100 g in breadfruit, edible portion). Other cultivars contained moderate levels, but as they can be eaten in large quantities, they may contribute significantly to vitamin A status. The taro samples contained very high levels of zinc (mean 5.9 mg/100 g) and significant levels of other minerals (mean content of calcium was 120 mg/100 g). These staples with cultural acceptability and high availability potentially could play a role in vitamin A, micronutrient, and chronic disease programs in the Pacific.