Assessment of folate bioavailability in the rat using extrinsic dietary enrichment with radiolabeled folates

Because of the unequal and, in some instances, low stability of different folate vitamers against extreme conditions the analytical determination of folate and the estimation of folate losses in food processing and preparation cause considerable difficulties. HPLC allows determination of the native folate derivative patterns. As the bioavailability of folates is influenced by a variety of factors and different methods were employed for assessing bioavailability there is a considerable inconsistency in the results of these studies. Folates labeled with radioactive or stable isotopes provide new approaches to metabolic and bioavailability studies.

show abstract

Natural Folates from Biofortified Tomato and Synthetic 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate Display Equivalent Bioavailability in a Murine Model

Castorena‐Torres

Ramos-Parra

Hernández-Méndez

et al. 2014

Plant Foods Hum Nutr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Folate deficiency is a global health problem related to neural tube defects, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and cancer. Considering that folic acid (FA) supply through industrialized foods is the most successful intervention, limitations exist for its complete implementation worldwide. Biofortification of plant foods, on the other hand, could be implemented in poor areas as a complementary alternative. A biofortified tomato fruit that accumulates high levels of folates was previously developed. In this study, we evaluated short-term folate bioavailability in rats infused with this folate-biofortified fruit. Fruit from tomato segregants hyperaccumulated folates during an extended ripening period, ultimately containing 3.7-fold the recommended dietary allowance in a 100-g portion. Folate-depleted Wistar rats separated in three groups received a single dose of 1 nmol of folate/g body weight in the form of lyophilized biofortified tomato fruit, FA, or synthetic 5-CH3-THF. Folate bioavailability from the biofortified tomato was comparable to that of synthetic 5-CH3-THF, with areas under the curve (AUC(0-∞)) of 2,080 ± 420 and 2,700 ± 220 pmol · h/mL, respectively (P = 0.12). Whereas, FA was less bioavailable with an AUC(0-∞) of 750 ± 10 pmol · h/mL. Fruit-supplemented animals reached maximum levels of circulating folate in plasma at 2 h after administration with a subsequent steady decline, while animals treated with FA and synthetic 5-CH3-THF reached maximum levels at 1 h. Pharmacokinetic parameters revealed that biofortified tomato had slower intestinal absorption than synthetic folate forms. This is the first study that demonstrates the bioavailability of folates from a biofortified plant food, showing its potential to improve folate deficiency.

show abstract

Assessment of folate bioavailability in the rat using extrinsic dietary enrichment with radiolabeled folates

Cited by 11 publications

References 32 publications

Folate

Folate

Nahrungsfolate — Eine aktuelle Übersicht Stabilität, Physiologische Bedeutung, Bioverfügbarkeit, analytische Bestimmungsmethoden, Einfluß der Lebensmittelbehandlung

Natural Folates from Biofortified Tomato and Synthetic 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate Display Equivalent Bioavailability in a Murine Model

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About