Title
Impact of biofortified maize consumption on serum carotenoid concentrations in Zambian children
Abstract
Biofortified maize, designed as an intervention strategy to prevent vitamin A deficiency, can provide upwards of 15 μg β-carotene per g dry weight. Some varieties also have elevated concentrations of other carotenoids. We conducted a cluster randomized, controlled feeding trial in rural Zambia to test the impact of daily consumption of biofortified maize over a 6-month period on vitamin A status. Serum concentrations of retinol and carotenoids were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Data on circulating carotenoids by intervention group in 679 children are reported here. As previously shown, consumption of this β-carotene-rich maize significantly improved serum β-carotene concentrations (0.273 vs. 0.147 μmol/L, p < 0.001, in this subset of children). Here we show significant increases in α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin (p < 0.001). There was no impact on lutein or lycopene concentrations. Consumption of biofortified maize can have broader implications beyond the control of vitamin A deficiency (Trial registration: NCT01695148).
Department(s)
Master of Public Health
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-017-0054-1
Publication Date
2018
Recommended Citation
Palmer, Amanda C., Neal E. Craft, Kerry J. Schulze, Maxwell Barffour, Justin Chileshe, Ward Siamusantu, and Keith P. West. "Impact of biofortified maize consumption on serum carotenoid concentrations in Zambian children." European journal of clinical nutrition 72, no. 2 (2018): 301-303.
Journal Title
European journal of clinical nutrition
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