Salivary Cystatin SN Binds to Phytic Acid In Vitro and Is a Predictor of Nonheme Iron Bioavailability with Phytic Acid Supplementation in a Proof of Concept Pilot Study.

Background: Acute phytic acid intake has been found to decrease iron bioavailability; however, repeated phytic acid consumption leads to iron absorption adaptation. Salivary proline-rich proteins (PRPs) have been shown to inhibit iron chelation to tannins and may mediate similar iron absorption adaptation with phytic acid intake.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine whether salivary proteins bind to phytic acid in vitro, and to explore a proof of concept in a pilot study that examined the impact of 4-wk, daily phytic acid supplementation on individuals' iron status, bioavailability, and salivary PRP concentrations.

Novel Formulated Fortified Blended Foods Result in Improved Protein Efficiency and Hepatic Iron Concentrations Compared with Corn-Soy Blend Plus in Broiler Chickens.

Background: Corn- and soybean-based fortified blended foods (FBFs) have been the primary food aid product provided by the United States. Sorghum and cowpea have been suggested as alternative FBF commodities because they are drought-tolerant, grown in food aid-receiving areas, and not genetically modified. Extrusion processing has also been suggested to improve the quality of these FBFs.

Bioavailable Iron and Vitamin A in Newly Formulated, Extruded Corn, Soybean, Sorghum, and Cowpea Fortified-Blended Foods in the In Vitro Digestion/Caco-2 Cell Model.

Background: Fortified-blended foods (FBFs), particularly corn-soybean blend (CSB), are food aid products distributed in developing countries. The US Agency for International Development food aid quality review recommended developing extruded FBFs with the use of alternative commodities such as sorghum.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine bioavailable iron and vitamin A content from newly developed extruded corn, soybean, sorghum, and cowpea FBFs compared with the nonextruded traditional food aid FBFs, corn-soy blend 13 (CSB13) and corn-soy blend plus (CSB+).

Long-Term Dose-Response Condensed Tannin Supplementation Does Not Affect Iron Status or Bioavailability.

Repeated phytic acid consumption leads to iron absorption adaptation but, to the best of our knowledge, the impact of repeated tannin consumption has not yet been established. Salivary proline-rich proteins (PRPs) may improve iron absorption by precipitating tannins. This study aimed to determine the effect of long-term, dose-response condensed tannin supplementation on iron bioavailability and status and to assess the effect of salivary proteins on iron bioavailability during prolonged condensed tannin consumption.

Newly formulated, protein quality-enhanced, extruded sorghum-, cowpea-, corn-, soya-, sugar- and oil-containing fortified-blended foods lead to adequate vitamin A and iron outcomes and improved growth compared with non-extruded CSB+ in rats.

Corn and soyabean micronutrient-fortified-blended foods (FBF) are commonly used for food aid. Sorghum and cowpeas have been suggested as alternative commodities because they are drought tolerant, can be grown in many localities, and are not genetically modified. Change in formulation of blends may improve protein quality, vitamin A and Fe availability of FBF.