Sodium iron EDTA [NaFe(III)EDTA] as a food fortificant: erythrocyte incorporation of iron and apparent absorption of zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium from a complementary food based on wheat and soy in healthy infants.
BACKGROUND
Phytic acid is a strong inhibitor of iron absorption from fortified foods. In adults, this inhibitory effect can be overcome by adding ascorbic acid with the iron fortificant or by using a "protected" iron compound such as NaFeEDTA. In addition, the use of NaFeEDTA as an iron fortificant has been reported to increase zinc absorption in adult women. No information is available on iron bioavailability from NaFeEDTA or the influence of NaFeEDTA on minerals and trace elements in infants.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to compare iron bioavailability from a complementary food based on wheat and soy fortified with either NaFeEDTA or ferrous sulfate plus ascorbic acid. The apparent absorption of zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium was evaluated in parallel.


METHODS
Stable-isotope techniques were used in a crossover design to evaluate erythrocyte incorporation of iron 14 d after administration of labeled test meals and the apparent absorption of zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium on the basis of fecal monitoring in 11 infants.


RESULTS
Geometric mean erythrocyte incorporation of iron was 3.7% (NaFeEDTA) and 4.9% (ferrous sulfate plus ascorbic acid) (P = 0.08). No significant differences in the apparent absorption of zinc, copper, calcium, or magnesium were observed between test meals (n = 10).


CONCLUSIONS
Iron bioavailability from a high-phytate, cereal-based complementary food fortified with either NaFeEDTA or ferrous sulfate plus ascorbic acid was not significantly different. NaFeEDTA did not influence the apparent absorption of zinc, copper, calcium, or magnesium. NaFeEDTA does not provide any nutritional benefit compared with the combination of a highly bioavailable iron compound and ascorbic acid.
Davidsson
Lena
L
Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Ruschlikon, Switzerland. lena.davidsson@ilw.agrl.erthz.ch
Ziegler
Ekhard
E
Zeder
Christophe
C
Walczyk
Thomas
T
Hurrell
Richard
R
D001682:Biological Availability; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004492:Edetic Acid; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D014908:Triticum
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D030262:Soybean Proteins; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D004492:Edetic Acid