Evaluation and Analysis of Dietary Essential Mineral Micronutrients in Selected Malaysian Foods Using FAAS and ICP-MS

Abstract

Food source could provide essential mineral elements necessary for preventing and remedying the cases of Mineral Deficiency Diseases (MDD). This source is cost effective, safe, affordable and accessible. In this study, essential elements: Ca, Mg, P, K, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se and Zn were determined in 126 food samples eaten in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The all-serving-units-inclusive food samples were oven-dried until constant weight, homogenized and wet digested serially with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide mixture. The major and minor elements were respectively determined by FAAS and ICP-MS. The elements showed presence in all foods. The food element/RDA percentage ratios of (Ca: 50.0; P: 322.8) and (Mn: 10.5; P: 177.5) were obtained respectively relative to maximum and minimum Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). The study has proven that the foods could be viable source of the elements choosing appropriate foods. These essential elements containing foods can be exploited for health maintenance, remedy and even cure for MDD.

Malaysian Ready-to-Eat Cooked Dishes: Consumption Patterns Among Adults and Nutrient Composition of Selected Highly Consumed Dishes

“…For example, nasi lemak is a dish that specifically cooked in coconut milk and eaten in combination with a gravy, slices of boiled eggs and cucumbers, peanuts and fried anchovies. The similar term was also used to describe this type of food in other studies (Sandra et al, 2012;Salau & Hasan, 2014).…”

A comprehensive review on Rasam: A South Indian traditional functional food

“…[ 32 ] Salau and Hasan, 2014, have studied major and trace elements in rasam and reported that rasam can be exploited for health maintenance, remedy, and even cure for mineral deficiency diseases. [ 33 ]…”