Yellow maize with high β-carotene is an effective source of vitamin A in healthy Zimbabwean men.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The bioconversion efficiency of yellow maize β-carotene to retinol in humans is unknown.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the vitamin A value of yellow maize β-carotene in humans.

Design

High β-carotene-containing yellow maize was grown in a hydroponic medium with 23 atom% (2)H(2)O during grain development. Yellow maize β-carotene showed the highest abundance of enrichment as [(2)H(9)]β-carotene. Eight healthy Zimbabwean men volunteered for the study. On day 1 after a fasting blood draw, subjects consumed 300 g yellow maize porridge containing 1.2 mg β-carotene, 20 g butter, and a 0.5-g corn oil capsule. On day 8, fasting blood was drawn, and subjects consumed 1 mg [(13)C(10)]retinyl acetate in a 0.5-g corn oil capsule and 300 g white

SUBMITTER: Muzhingi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3142725 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature