Total folate in West African cereal-based fermented foods: Bioaccessibility and influence of processing

Cereal-based fermented foods (CBFF) are frequently consumed by young children in West-Africa. Seven CBFF types (gelatinized doughs, porridges, dumplings, and fritters, made from corn, sorghum or pearl millet) were produced according to the commonly used methods in traditional production units in Burkina Faso. Their total folate content, analyzed using a microbiological method, was between 1.8 and 31.3 μg/100 g fresh weight. Folate degradation occurred at several steps during the cereal grain processing into CBFF, for instance during debranning (-51%), soaking (-20% to -49%) and wet-milling (-39% to -59%). Conversely, fermentation increased the folate content of some CBFF (+9 to +27%). Folate bioaccessibility, assessed using a static in vitro digestion model, ranged from 23% to 81%. The bioaccessible folate content was influenced by the total folate content, the food matrix structure, and folate stability. CBFF contribution to the reference folate intake for young children was at most 23%. This work generated new information on the influence of traditional processing on the vitamin B9 content of CBFF, and the first data on folate bioaccessibility in West African CBFF.     

Selenium,zinc and copper in the Polish diet

The aim of the study was to assess daily dietary intakes of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in a representative group of Polish individuals using analytical and calculation method, and to determine the contents of Zn and Cu in different foodstuffs available on the Polish market, in order to complete our previous data on Se content in Polish food. Daily intakes of the microelements were assessed analytically in 469 daily food rations, 439 of which were collected from various public canteens and 30 by duplicate portion method from private individuals. Calculated daily intakes were obtained by analysing 157 diet recalls and by the use of our previous and current data on Se, Zn and Cu contents in food, including 235 different food products. Mean intakes in different groups, as shown analytically, ranged from 20 to 59 μg/day for Se, 3.2 to 13.5 mg/day for Zn and from 0.4 to 2.2 mg/day for Cu. Mean daily intakes calculated from 24-h diet recalls were lower than the majority of the mean values obtained analytically and amounted to 30 ± 11 μg for Se, 5.3 ± 1.8 mg for Zn and 0.8 ± 0.3 mg for Cu. Mean concentrations of Zn and Cu in food varied from 0.4 to 17.4 μg/g and from 0.3 to 7.2 μg/g, respectively.     

Essential and non-essential elements in Brazilian infant food and other rice-based products frequently consumed by children and celiac population

Rice and its derivatives are important source of essential and non-essential elements. Essential elements as cobalt (Co) and selenium (Se) are vital for human homeostasis. However, non-essential elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) may be present in rice-based food and consequently, people can be exposed—especially children and the celiac population. This study aimed to determine essentials and non-essentials elements in rice-based products and baby food and also to evaluate nutritional risk by estimating the daily intake of non-essential elements. Regarding essential elements, Co and Se presented the highest concentrations in rice flour (56 μg kg⁻¹) and porridge (254 μg kg⁻¹), respectively. For non-essential elements, the highest concentrations of As, Cd and Pb were 104 μg kg⁻¹ (porridge), 16 μg kg⁻¹ (flour), and 188 μg kg⁻¹ (bread), respectively. Total As concentration in Brazilian rice-based baby food was <29 μg kg⁻¹. However, As-speciation revealed inorganic-As (i-As) as the main specie. The highest estimated daily intake of Cd, Pb and i-As were 1.37 (rice-based baby food); 10.39 (pasta); and 3.34 (pasta) μg d⁻¹, respectively. Therefore, continuous food monitoring for nutritional and toxicological purpose is necessary, especially concerning these particular populations and discussions for maximum levels of non-essential elements.     

Variations in the carotenoid and anthocyanin contents of Korean cultural varieties and home-processed sweet potatoes

The sweet potato is an important industrial crop and a source of food that contains useful dietary fiber and vitamins. Recently, orange- and purple-fleshed varieties have come under the spotlight due to their healthful components, carotenoids and anthocyanins, respectively. In this study, an HPLC-DAD method was applied to determine the carotenoid composition and content in nine Korean cultural varieties of sweet potato. Changes in carotenoid contents and composition were also observed during home-processing of an orange-fleshed cultivar with high carotenoid content (530 ± 60 μg/g of dry weight, DW as all-trans-β-carotene). A loss of the carotenoids was observed for all of the home-processing methods examined; the baked or boiled or steamed sweet potatoes had higher amounts of all-trans-β-carotene (246 ± 34, 253 ± 29 and 240 ± 21 μg/g DW, respectively) than pressure-cooked, sautéed and fried ones (194 ± 21, 201 ± 28 and 111 ± 19 μg/g DW, respectively). Interestingly, cis-isomer of the all-trans-β-carotene, 13Z-β-carotene was found in elevated amounts in all of the processed samples, particularly in baked, pressure-cooked and steamed sweet potatoes compared to control. Variations in anthocyanin content in the nine cultural varieties and home-processed sweet potatoes were also determined by an HPLC-DAD method.     

Estimating the daily intake of essential and nonessential elements from lamb m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum consumed by the population in Missouri (United States)

This paper estimated the daily intake of essential and nonessential elements from lamb muscle longissimus thoracis et lumborum (m. LTL) available to the population in Missouri. Missouri grain-finished (n = 36), Missouri grass-finished (n = 40) and imported New Zealand grass-finished (n = 40) lamb m. LTL were purchased and assayed for their element composition. Total mercury in samples was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry and other elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Analysis of certified reference materials (DORM-2 and TORT-2) gave recovery rates ranging from 86 to 108% and 85 to 104%, respectively. The abundance of essential elements in Missouri grain-finished and Missouri grass-finished lamb m. LTL followed the order: Potassium > phosphorus > sodium > magnesium > calcium > zinc > iron. The order in the imported New Zealand grass-finished group was: Potassium > phosphorus > sodium > calcium > magnesium > zinc > iron. Since many variables lacked normality, non-parametric (Kruskal–Wallis) comparison test was performed and the results suggested no significant difference (P > 0.05) in element composition among the lamb m. LTL groups. The estimated daily intake of 14 elements from consumption of 100 g lamb m. LTL posed no hazard to consumers.     

Effects of the Asian dust events on daily mortality in Seoul,Korea

The Korean peninsula has a long history of dust clouds blown by winds from the arid deserts of Mongolia and China in springtime; these are called Asian dust events. Public concern about the possible adverse effects of this dust has increased, because the dust arrives in Korea after having passed over heavily industrialized eastern China. The present study explored the effect of Asian dust events on daily mortality in Seoul, South Korea, during the period 1995-1998. We evaluated the association between daily death counts and the dust events using Poisson regression analysis, adjusted for time trends, weather variables, and the day of the week. Between 1995 and 1998, we identified 28 Asian dust days in Seoul. The estimated percentage increase in the rate of deaths from 3-day moving averages of exposure was 1.7% (95/ confidence interval: -1.6 to 5.3) for all causes, 2.2% (95% confidence interval: -3.5 to 8.3) for deaths of persons aged 65 years and older, and 4.1% (95% confidence interval: -3.8 to 12.6) for cardiovascular and respiratory causes. Our results provide weak evidence that the Asian dust events are associated with risk of death from all causes. However, the association between the dust events and deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory causes was stronger and it suggests that persons with advanced cardiovascular and respiratory disease may be susceptible to the Asian dust events.     

Rare earth elements in Oolong tea and their human health risks associated with drinking tea

In this study, the content of rare earth oxides (REOs) in made teas and infusions of 57 Oolong tea samples was investigated because when compared to other teas, Oolong tea is believed to contain a higher amount of REOs. The risks of REOs in Oolong tea to human health arising from drinking tea were assessed. The content of rare earth oxides (∑REOs) in the various types of Oolong tea varied from 0.62 to 10.1 mg/kg, 71.9–79.6% of which consisted of Ce, La, Y, and Nd. One-time infusion and five times successive infusions resulted in leached rates of 9.86–17.4% and 25.8–32.6% of the total REOs, respectively. The leached REOs increased with TOC in tea infusions. The proposed DAI_tea (daily allowable intake, 42 μg) would be exceeded when the content of REOs in Oolong tea was greater than 6.84 mg/kg based on the calculation with the highest consumption rate of Oolong tea (15 g/day) and the highest leached rate (41.0%). Among the tea samples studied, only 1.8% of the samples exhibited an REO content of greater than 6.84 mg/kg. Thus, in general, the intake of REOs by drinking Oolong tea is negligible.     

Levels and daily intake of lead (Pb) and six essential elements in gari samples from Ondo State,Southwest Nigeria: A potential risk factor of health status

Gari, a staple food in most West African countries is a processed product of cassava plant. It supplies about 70% of the daily calorie intake in these countries. In this study, levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in gari samples that were collected from four major Nigerian cities: Akure, Ondo, Isua and Ore – all located in Ondo State, Southwest, Nigeria were determined. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of these elements were determined and compared to the recommended dietary intake limits or requirements. The mean concentrations of Pb in gari samples was 0.16 ± 0.09 mg/kg while for essential elements the concentrations were 4.13 ± 0.95, 0.00497 ± 0.00078, 12.98 ± 1.48, 1.01 ± 0.47, 512.6 ± 9.12 and 23.22 ± 2.32 mg/kg for Zn, Mn, Co, Cu, Ca and Fe, respectively. The mean estimated dietary intakes were 0.0333 ± 0.00443, 0.88 ± 0.21, 1.06 ± 0.36, 0.00278 ± 0.00068, 0.22 ± 0.04, 109.7 ± 4.22 and 4.97 ± 1.07 mg/day for Pb, Zn, Mn, Co, Cu, Ca and Fe respectively. The estimated mean Pb dietary intake from gari consumption alone was almost the same as the benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL) for Pb, thus inferring that dietary route is a potential source of Pb contamination for gari consumers in Southwest Nigerian. Also, the data from this study indicated that gari is a good source of some essential elements like Mn, Co, and Cu but not exceptionally rich in Zn, Fe and Ca. It is therefore recommended that gari diets should be complemented with other food substances like beef, vegetables and low fat cheese that are good sources of the deficient elements.     

Changes in content of coenzyme Q10 in beef muscle, beef liver and beef heart with cooking and in vitro digestion

The goals of this study were to determine the contents and digestibility of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in beef muscle, beef liver and beef heart, which are rich in coenzyme Q10, as well as the effects of cooking on coenzyme Q10 content. Coenzyme Q10 contents were found as 109.97 ± 1.54 μg/g in beef heart, 33.34 ± 1.43 μg/g in beef liver and 23.47 ± 1.06 μg/g in beef M. longissimus dorsi muscle. The lowest retention in coenzyme Q10 content was found as 69.42 ± 0.56% (p < 0.01) in beef heart after frying processing. Coenzyme Q10 retentions were also found as 76.38 ± 0.89% and 77.19 ± 1.09% after frying of beef liver and boiling of beef M. longissimus dorsi muscle, respectively. Digestibility of coenzyme Q10 in beef heart (65.84 ± 0.84%) and beef liver (68.17 ± 0.60%) was significantly higher than the digestibility of coenzyme Q10 in beef M. longissimus dorsi muscle (60.16 ± 0.53%) (p < 0.01).     

Influence of cooking processes on Cu,Fe, Mn,Ni, and Zn levels in beef cuts

Beef is an important source of micronutrients, but little is known about how cooking processes affect the nutritional value. In this study, microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES) was used to determine the contents of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn in three cuts of Uruguayan beef when cooked to two degrees of doneness (medium and well done). The content of minerals varied in the range: Cu (84.9–117.4), Fe (2288–2689), Mn (11.6–20.7), Ni (12.4–19.8), and Zn (4100–7471) μg per 100 g portion for medium and Cu (76.3–97.0), Fe (1886–2689), Mn (9.7–15.4), Ni (12.7–26.8), and Zn (3187–6204) for well-done. No significant losses through leaching were observed up to a weight loss of 16 % (medium). However, when the weight loss was 28–35 % (well done), the micronutrients content decreased. Despite these losses, Uruguayan beef was confirmed to be a particularly good source of Zn and a good source of Cu and Fe. The daily contribution of Mn was not significant (1%) and the Ni content was far below the tolerable upper intake level. In addition, this work revealed MIP OES to be an economical and green method for the determination of trace elements in beef.     

Central prostaglandins in food intake regulation

Prostaglandin (PG) E(2) and PGD(2), produced in the mammalian central nervous system, are known to have a variety of central actions on sleep, body temperature, and pain response via G-protein-coupled seven-transmembrane receptors. We found that centrally administered PGE(2) suppressed food intake via the EP(4) receptor, whereas PGD(2) increased food intake via the DP(1) receptor coupled to the neuropeptide Y Y(1) receptor. In this review, we summarize roles of central PGs in food intake regulation and discuss the relation between PGs and neuropeptides controlling food intake.     

A comparison of the fat,sugar, and sodium contents in ready-to-heat type home meal replacements and restaurant foods in Korea

The aim of this study was to compare the fat, sugar, and sodium contents in ready-to-heat type home meal replacements (HMR) distributed in Korea to those found in restaurant foods. A total of 80 samples of HMR including three types of rice (n = 13), three types of porridge (n = 13), six types of soup (n = 25), and six types of stew (n = 29) were collected in 2019. The fat, total sugar, and sodium contents in HMR were determined, whereas those found in restaurant foods were obtained from the Korean food composition database. HMR tend to have similar or lower total saturated and total trans fatty acid contents, but a greater total sugar content as compared to those of restaurant foods. No distinct difference was observed in the sodium content between HMR and restaurant foods. The total saturated and total trans fatty acid contents and total sugar content per serving in both HMR and restaurant foods were at low levels (i.e., 1.9–22.2, 0.5–13.2, and 0.1–2.9 %, respectively) compared to their recommended maximum daily intake values, whereas their sodium content per serving was relatively higher (i.e., 20.4–101.9 % of the maximum daily intake value).     

Évaluation des apports alimentaires des malades hospitalisésFood intakes in in-hospital patients

Studies have shown that malnutrition may affect more than 50% of hospitalized patients. They observe a further deterioration in nutritional status during hospital stay. This deterioration may be explained by imbalance between energy and protein needs and low voluntary intake by patients. Although underfeeding is often attributable to disease or treatments, authors observe that more than 50% of causes are imputable to inadequate organization. This results in high food wastage with medical and economical consequences whose rate may be greater than 40%. Improvements of dietary intakes depend on the development of a screening and assessment system. This includes to promote an educational program for doctors and nurses, to modify the hospital diet according to the patients’ preferences and needs, to help and monitor dietary intakes in patients with undernutrition at admission or at risk of malnutrition.     

Concentration of vitamin D2 in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) exposed to pulsed UV light

Enrichment of vitamin D₂ in Agaricus bisporus white button mushroom (WBM) using continuous UV light needs a longer exposure time, which can lead to discoloration. Using a Xenon pulsed UV light source, the yield of vitamin D₂ was evaluated in freshly harvested button mushrooms and mushroom slices after exposure to 2.5, 3, 6 and 9 pulses of UV light at an average dose of 1.150 J/cm² energy per pulse. Increase in vitamin D₂ content was proportionate to the number of pulses of UV light. There was no difference in the vitamin D₂ content of mushrooms between 200 g and 500 g punnets for the corresponding number of pulses (737 ± 81, 847 ± 38, 1148 ± 182, 1611 ± 444% versus 747 ± 48, 911 ± 35, 1307 ± 109, 2028 ± 181% Daily Value/serving, respectively; P > 0.05). Mushrooms in the top layer showed significantly higher amounts of vitamin D₂ content than those in the bottom layer of a 500 g punnet (657 ± 22, 796 ± 76, 1433 ± 138, 1878 ± 178% versus 129 ± 60, 237 ± 117, 403 ± 35, 830 ± 257% DV/serving, respectively; P < 0.01). A single layer of sliced mushrooms (∼5 mm thick) showed higher amounts of vitamin D₂ content than sliced mushrooms packaged together after pulsed UV light exposure (7882 ± 1074, 6867 ± 944, 10,826 ± 472, 13,001 ± 1635% versus 1221 ± 281, 1293 ± 210, 1598 ± 207, 2018 ± 459% DV/serving, respectively; P < 0.001). Discoloration of whole or sliced mushrooms was not observed. Thus, pulsed UV light provides a highly effective method for increasing vitamin D₂ levels in A. bisporus white button mushroom.     

Nutrient and mineral composition of dried mamaki leaves (Pipturus albidus) and infusions

Mamaki, Pipturus albidus, is currently one of the few native Hawaiian plants suitable for herbal tea preparation. This study reports the nutritional composition and mineral content of dried mamaki leaves and infusions. Three varieties and two sub-varieties, namely “hybrid purple”, “green”, “purple sub-variety 1”, “purple sub-variety 2” and “panaewa”, of mamaki were harvested in winters and summers over a 3-year period. Statistical analyses showed macronutrient values in dried mamaki leaves harvested in summer were significantly different from those in winter. The elemental values of phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc were also significantly different between the two seasons. Dried mamaki leaves contained higher amounts of ash, protein, fat and total fibers when compared with various commercial teas. Copper and iron levels in infusions from the leaves harvested in summer were significantly higher from those in winter. Phosphorus, potassium, sodium, boron, iron, manganese, and zinc values in steeped infusions of whole, ground, and crushed leaves were significantly different from each other. The dried leaves and infusions both contained the highest amount of calcium when compared to those in other commercial teas. The high calcium content found in infusions make the mamaki leaves a valuable commodity.     

Determination of vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in foodstuffs by HPLC UV-DAD and LC–MS/MS

In order to generate new data for vitamin D content for the Canadian Nutrient File, a method for the quantification of vitamin D₃ and 25(OH)D₃ in foodstuffs has been modified and improved. Vitamin D₃ was quantified using reverse phase liquid chromatography (LC) with UV-diode array detector (UV-DAD), while 25(OH)D₃ was measured by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (APCI MS/MS). Quantification was by internal standards (IS) using vitamin D₂ and 25(OH)D₂. A Certified Reference Material (CRM-421 containing vitamin D₃) and a control sample (internally generated reference material of ground pork containing both vitamin D₃ and 25(OH)D₃) were used as validation and quality control tools. Limit of detection for both compounds was 0.04 μg/100 g. Accuracy for vitamin D in the CRM-421 was 99% (0.142 mg/kg for a target of 0.143, n = 10). Recovery of vitamin D₃ in ground pork was 97% (88% absolute recovery). For 25(OH)D₃, a recovery of 94% (73% absolute recovery) was obtained. Using this method, data for vitamin D₃ and 25(OH)D₃ content in a variety of foods (pork, beef, eggs, poultry, fish, and dinners) have been generated.     

Environmental NO2 concentration and exposure in daily life along main roads in Tokyo

Environmental suspended particulate matter and NO2 are possible factors causing chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. These and other pollutants are monitored at the National Ambient Air Pollution Monitoring Stations and local monitoring stations. Environmental NO2 concentrations in large cities exceed the Japanese Environmental Quality Standards (JEQS); in particular, more than 30% of the Roadside Air Pollution Monitoring Stations (RAMS) do not achieve JEQS. To evaluate the exposure levels to environmental NO2 and its health effects, the data from the monitoring stations are useful. However, there are few reports on the relationships between these data and the exposure level in daily life. In this study, environmental NO2 concentrations in homes and its exposure levels were investigated by using passive samplers. Two areas along main roads in the south and north of metropolitan Tokyo were selected and about 150 junior high school students and their family members took part in the study. The investigation was conducted five times seasonally, 3 days each, from February 1998 to January 1999. The residence of each subject was plotted on a map, and the distance from the main road was entered on the same map. Environmental NO2 was measured outside of the house and indoors, that is, living room, kitchen, bedroom, and student's room. The average NO2 concentration of outdoors was within JEQS, and the highest value was 52.9 ppb. There was a tendency for outdoor NO2 concentrations to decrease with distance from the roadside, but the NO2 concentration differences between the roadside and the site far from the roadside were less than 10 ppb. The average outdoor NO2 concentrations and the value obtained at RAMS are slightly correlated, but not significant. The stations' data showed about 10 ppb higher values than the average outdoor concentrations obtained at each house. NO2 concentrations in living rooms based on the distance from the main road and NO2 exposure levels in daily life of students and family members were also investigated. This study clearly showed that in wintertime we are highly exposed to NO2 emitted from many types of heaters such as kerosene heater, and the family members' study suggested that the indoor NO2 levels were similar to the personal exposure levels in all seasons.     

Comparison of the contents of bioactive compounds and the level of antioxidant activity in different kiwifruit cultivars

The aim of this investigation was to find the best among four different cultivars of kiwifruit (‘Hayward’, ‘Daeheung’, ‘Haenam’ and ‘Bidan’) for human consumption. The bioactive compounds and the level of antioxidant activity of these cultivars were determined and compared. The presence of polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids) in the investigated samples was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. By far the highest levels (P < 0.05) of polyphenols and ascorbic acids were found in ‘Bidan’ (25.9 ± 1.3 mg GAE/g and 152 ± 10.4 mg/g DW, respectively), which also contained the highest levels of protocatechuic and vanillic acids. In addition, the level of antioxidant activity (μM TE/g DW) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in ‘Bidan’ (121 ± 5.8, 109 ± 11.2, 102 ± 6.6 and 94 ± 4.7 for CUPRAC, ABTS, DPPH and FRAP radical scavenging assays, respectively). Pattern-recognition techniques (cluster analysis, principal component analysis, factor analysis, and canonical discriminant analysis) were used to compare the cultivars. A high correlation was found among the polyphenols (R² = 0.99), ascorbic acid (R² = 0.99+) and the antioxidant activity in the studied cultivars. In conclusion, the overall bioactivity of the cultivars was: ‘Bidan’ > ‘Haenam’ > ‘Daeheung’ = ‘Hayward’. ‘Bidan’, a relatively new cultivar, can be recommended for consumption.     

Development of a new method for determination of aluminum (Al) in Jordanian foods and drinks: Solid phase extraction and adsorption of Al3+-d-mannitol on carbon nanotubes

In this work, a new method was developed for determination of aluminum (Al) in traditional Jordanian foods (Mansaf, Kofta, Tabboola, Hummous, bread), tea, Arabian coffee and water samples. The method involved solid phase extraction (SPE) of Al³⁺ from the digested samples after complexation with d-mannitol using carbon nanotubes (CNT) as the extractive sorbent. Formation of the Al³⁺-d-mannitol complex was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Optimization of the SPE method involved sample pH, d-mannitol-to-Al mole ratio, sample loading and elution flow rates, adsorbent mass, eluent concentration and volume. Based on spiked water samples, the characteristics of the method were as follows: the limit of quantification: 23 μg l⁻¹; sensitivity: 0.0036 (mg l⁻¹)⁻¹; %RSD range: 0.4–1.9%; recovery range: 76.0–93.0%. The equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic adsorption studies of Al³⁺-d-mannitol on CNT revealed that adsorption was spontaneous, exothermic, preferred, of physical nature; followed second-order rate kinetics; pore diffusion was not the only rate-controlling step; both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms represented the data satisfactorily.     

Evaluation of vitamin B12 status in Egypt IV: Food consumption patterns among lactating mothers and their impact on the intake of the vitamin

The adequacy of vitamin B₁₂ intake was assessed among 62 lactating mothers in the 2–32 weeks of lactation by an interactive 24-h recall and an open-ended food frequency questionnaire. Double portions of the foods consumed were sampled and assayed microbiologically for its vitamin B₁₂ content. Based on the food item and its respective vitamin B₁₂ content, combined with the usual portion size in grams and the frequency of consumption, a rapid calculator of approximate dietary vitamin B₁₂ intake was developed. The estimated vitamin B₁₂ intake averaged 4.17±0.74?µg/d. Only 25.8% of the lactating mothers had adequate vitamin B₁₂ intake (>2.5?µg vitamin B₁₂ daily). Three quarter of the studied population were consuming vitamin B₁₂<2.5?µg/d. Out of those, 50% had estimated daily intake <2.0?µg/d. This percentage prevalence confirms the additional burden on the lactating mothers to satisfy the daily vitamin B₁₂ requirement for its breast-fed baby.