title: Bioavailability of zinc in Wistar rats fed with rice fortified with zinc oxide.
abstract: The study of zinc bioavailability in foods is important because this mineral intake does not meet the recommended doses for some population groups. Also, the presence of dietary factors that reduce zinc absorption contributes to its deficiency. Rice fortified with micronutrients (Ultra Rice®) is a viable alternative for fortification since this cereal is already inserted into the population habit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of zinc (Zn) in rice fortified with zinc oxide. During 42 days, rats were divided into four groups and fed with diets containing two different sources of Zn (test diet: UR® fortified with zinc oxide, or control diet: zinc carbonate (ZnCO3)), supplying 50% or 100%, respectively, of the recommendations of this mineral for animals. Weight gain, food intake, feed efficiency ratio, weight, thickness and length of femur; retention of zinc, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the femur and the concentrations of Zn in femur, plasma and erythrocytes were evaluated. Control diet showed higher weight gain, feed efficiency ratio, retention of Zn and Zn concentration in the femur (p < 0.05). However, no differences were observed (p > 0.05) for dietary intake, length and thickness of the femur, erythrocyte and plasmatic Zn between groups. Although rice fortified with zinc oxide showed a lower bioavailability compared to ZnCO3, this food can be a viable alternative to be used as a vehicle for fortification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, Federal University of Viçosa, Avenida Purdue, s/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa-MG 36.570-900, Brazil. ceresnut@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Ceres Mattos
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Della Lucia
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, Federal University of Viçosa, Avenida Purdue, s/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa-MG 36.570-900, Brazil. laura.santos@ufv.br.
authors.forename: Laura Luiza Menezes
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, Federal University of Viçosa, Avenida Purdue, s/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa-MG 36.570-900, Brazil. kellen.rodrigues@ufv.br.
authors.forename: Kellen Cristina da Cruz
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, Federal University of Viçosa, Avenida Purdue, s/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa-MG 36.570-900, Brazil. vivian.cruz@ufv.br.
authors.forename: Vivian Cristina da Cruz
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, Federal University of Viçosa, Avenida Purdue, s/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa-MG 36.570-900, Brazil. hercia@ufv.br.
authors.forename: Hércia Stampini Duarte
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, Federal University of Viçosa, Avenida Purdue, s/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa-MG 36.570-900, Brazil. helena.santana@ufv.br.
authors.forename: Helena Maria Pinheiro
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Sant'Ana
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002254:Carbonates; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005527:Food, Fortified; D012275:Oryza / Q000737:chemistry*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C036650:zinc carbonate; D015032:Zinc; D015034:Zinc Oxide