Concentration and intake of macro, trace, and toxic elements by infants through milk and baby foods in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania.
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Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
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.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Toxic elements, Milk and baby foods, Health effects, Infancy period