title: Biofortification of pearl millet with iron and zinc in a randomized controlled trial increases absorption of these minerals above physiologic requirements in young children.
abstract: Millet is unusually drought resistant and consequently there is a progressive increase in the use of these grains as a human food staple, especially in large areas of India and sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine the absorption of iron and zinc from pearl millet biofortified with 2 micronutrients that are typically deficient in nonfortified, plant-based diets globally. The study was undertaken in 40 children aged 2 y in Karnataka, India (n = 21 test/19 controls). Three test meals providing ∼84 ± 17 g dry pearl millet flour were fed on a single day for zinc and 2 d for iron between 0900 and 1600 h. The quantities of zinc and iron absorbed were measured with established stable isotope extrinsic labeling techniques and analyses of duplicate diets. The mean (± SD) quantities of iron absorbed from test and control groups were 0.67 ± 0.48 and 0.23 ± 0.15 mg/d, respectively (P < 0.001). The quantities of zinc absorbed were 0.95 ± 0.47 and 0.67 ± 0.24 mg/d, respectively (P = 0.03). These data did not include absorption of the modest quantities of iron and zinc contained in snacks eaten before and after the 3 test meals. In conclusion, quantities of both iron and zinc absorbed when iron and zinc biofortified pearl millet is fed to children aged 2 y as the major food staple is more than adequate to meet the physiological requirements for these micronutrients.
authors.affiliation: Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, KLE University, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bhalchandra S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kodkany
authors.forename: Roopa M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bellad
authors.forename: Niranjana S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Mahantshetti
authors.forename: Jamie E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Westcott
authors.forename: Nancy F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.forename: Jennifer F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.forename: K Michael
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hambidge
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D031782:Pennisetum / Q000737:chemistry*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D015032:Zinc