Assessing the Bioaccessibilities of Some Elements in Fruit Based Complementary Baby Foods

Abstract

In this study, total concentrations and bioaccessibility of some essential and toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in commercial fruit purees intended for baby consumption as complementary foods. Enzymatic in vitro digestions were performed to simulate the stomach and the intestine conditions. A five-level, three factor central composite design, was applied to optimize the open-wet digestion methodology as well as enzyme amounts used in vitro methods to achieve maximum elemental levels. Rice flour and baby food composite certified reference materials analysis were applied to optimize the digestion parameters and evaluate the accuracy of the optimized method. Water fractions of samples were analyzed and evaluated in terms of their suitability for risk assessment studies by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Recommended dietary allowance level of 1.3% for Zn, adequate intake levels of 15.3%, 0.04%, 4.4% and 68% for Cu, Mg, Mn and Cr, respectively were achieved as well as 20%, 6% level and 2% tolerable intakes of Cd, Ni and As, respectively. Thus, contribution of the consumption of one jar of fruit based complementary baby food to diet of infants aged up to 12 months were assessed.