Browsing by Author "Ngilisho,Maria"

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Concentration and intake of macro, trace, and toxic elements by infants through milk and baby foods in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2012) Ngilisho,Maria
Excessive or too little minerals pose health effects for infants. Since the infancy period is the most critical time with respect to nutrition, there is a need to know’ the actual concentration of trace and toxic elements in their foods during this stage. This study aimed to determine the levels of calcium, potassium, zinc, copper, lead and in Morogoro Municipal and intake of these mineral elements by infants. Human milk was collected from 41 mothers at different postpartum periods, cow milk was bought from dairy farms and infant formulas were purchased from shops. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry flame mode w'as used to analyze 97 samples. Intake of macro and micro elements were assessed for compliance with Recommended Daily Intake by World Health Organization. Mean elemental concentration in the seven days postpartum was higher and lowest in the 9-months postpartum. Human-, cowand tinned baby- milk showed significant differences (p 0.05) in all elements except for lead. Concentrations in different brands of baby foods were significantly 0.05). Mineral content in human milk was found to be below recommendations. Cow milk had high Ca and K and tinned baby milk had high K. and Cu. Calcium in baby foods matched recommendations, K was high, Zn and Cu were absent. Pb and Cd were below permissible levels. There was a relationship between K concentration in human milk with maternal age and marginally with wheat consumption (p = 0.050). This study concludes that concentration of toxic elements in milk and tinned baby foods in Morogoro Municipal are low hence safe for infant consumption. Conversely, tinned baby foods should be fortified with Zn and Cu to ensure infants consume enough for their growth and development.