Zinc Bioavailability in Selected Cereals Grown in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of Zinc in selected cereal crops from various Local Government Areas in Nasarawa State, Nigeria and also to determine its bioavailability using albino rats. The dried cereals; Oryza sativa, Zea maize and Sorghum bicolor were collected from farms in seven local government areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The cereals were processed and Zn concentrations of the samples from each local government determined using standard methods. Afterwards, the rats were divided into two groups of ten rats each, a control group and a test group. The cereals were then processed and fed the experimental group of the albino rats for seven days before blood samples were collected and the plasma separated, then zinc concentration determined. Results showed that Karu LGA had the highest Zn concentration in O. Sativa (10.34 mg/g), Nasarawa-Eggon had the highest Zn concentration of 16.72mg/g in Z. mayz, and the highest Zn concentration of 17.98mg/g in Sorghum bicolor. Statistical analysis of the bioavailable Zn however, showed a non-significant (p > 0.05) decrease in Zn bioavailability in the experimental group when compared to the control group. The results of this research therefore indicates that the Zn concentrations in the various cereals obtained from the selected LGAs of Nasarawa State was not bioavalable when the cereals were consumed by the rats hence the need to up Zn concentrations and bioavailability through supplementation to avoid its deficiency among the populace.