Dual-fortified lentil products - a sustainable new approach to provide additional bioavailable iron and zinc in humans

Authors: PODDER, RAJIB - University Of Saskatchewan; Glahn, Raymond; VANDENBERG, ALBERT - University Of Saskatchewan

Submitted to: Current Developments in Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2021
Publication Date: 1/30/2021
Citation: Podder, R., Glahn, R.P., Vandenberg, A. 2021. Dual-fortified lentil products - a sustainable new approach to provide additional bioavailable iron and zinc in humans. Current Developments in Nutrition. 01/30/2021.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzab004

Interpretive Summary: Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies are global health problems affecting one-fifth and one-third of the world's population, respectively. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), a part of the staple food supply in many regions of the world and can be a potential vehicle for Fe and Zn fortification. We developed a dual-fortification protocol to fortify three milled lentil product types [red-football (RF), red-split (RS) and yellow-split (YS)], to supply higher dietary levels of Fe and Zn. Appropriate doses of Fe and Zn were determined to fortify lentils based on Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs). A cell culture model evaluated the delivery of Fe from the fortified products. Results showed that the fortified products should deliver significantly more absorbable Fe and Zn; thus, dual-fortified lentils can help alleviate deficiency of these critical essential nutrients.

Technical Abstract: Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies are global health problems affecting one-fifth and one-third of the world's population, respectively. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), is a part of the staple food supply in many regions of the world and can be a potential vehicle for Fe and Zn fortification. We developed a dual-fortification protocol to fortify three milled lentil product types (LPT) [red-football (RF), red-split (RS) and yellow-split (YS)], with both NaFeEDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid iron (iii) sodium salt) and ZnSO4.H2O (zinc-sulphate mono-hydrate) to supply dietary Fe and Zn. Appropriate doses of Fe and Zn were determined to fortify lentils based on Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs). A colorimetric study determined the changes of appearance [lightness (L), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*)] of dual-fortified lentils at initial stage and after one-year storage. Relative Fe bioavailability (RFeB%) and phytic acid (PA) content were assessed using an in-vitro Caco-2 cell-bioassay and PA analysis kit, respectively. Fe, Zn, PA concentration and RFeB% differed significantly between fortified and unfortified lentil samples. Colorimetric analysis revealed a significant difference for L, a*, and b* scores between control and fortified samples within each LPT. The RF, RS and YS samples fortified with 16mg Fe and 8mg Zn/100 g of lentil can provide 27mg Fe and 14mg Zn, 28mg Fe and 13.4mg Zn, 29.9mg Fe and 12.1mg Zn, respectively. RFeB% of RF, RS, and YS lentil samples increased by 91.3-307.3, 113.6-521.8 and 122.0-519.5%, respectively. PA concentration of RF, RS, and YS lentils was reduced by 0.63-0.53, 0.83-0.71, and 0.96-0.79 mg/g, respectively. Results from this study may help to significantly and cost-effectively increase the amount of bioavailable Fe and Zn in lentil. Dual-fortified lentil consumption can help to provide a significant part of the daily Fe and Zn requirements of people with these two global micronutrient deficiencies.