99E-12 |
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M. HEGSTED, K. L. McCutcheon, A. R. Francis, and K. A. Nolen. School of Human Ecology, Louisiana State Univ. Agricultural Center, 130 Human Ecology Bldg., Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Short chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) resist digestion in the small intestine and are classified as functional fiber. This may aid in the absorption of minerals in the colon (cecum in rats) due to a more acidic pH produced by fermentation. Aquamin F® (Marigot Limited) is a 100% sea plant derived mineral source high in Ca, Mg and 70 trace minerals that may be better absorbed than CaCO3. The addition of scFOS to Aquamin F® may increase the amount of mineral absorption into the body. This study was designed to determine the effects on mineral absorption when Aquamin F® (AM) is combined with scFOS (NutraFlora®, GTC Nutrition) in diets fed to young growing rats. Thirty-two 4-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four treatment groups: control (CaCO3 as Ca source), AM, scFOS, and AM+scFOS diets. Feces and urine were collected for seven days at weeks 1 and 12 (wks1&12) of the study. Feces and diet samples were dehydrated, microwave digested, and analyzed along with urine by inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometry for mineral content. Apparent mineral absorption and balance were calculated as [(Intake-Feces)/Intake]x100 and Intake-(Feces+Urine), respectively. ScFOS diets increased Ca, Mg, P, Fe, and Zn absorption (wk1), but only increased absorption of Mg, P, and Fe (wk12). Balance was increased for Mg, P, and Zn (wk1) and for Mg and P (wk12). Ca absorption from Aquamin+scFOS was greater in wk 1 than from CaCO3 fed control rats. Rats fed diets containing AM+scFOS had higher Mg absorption and balance than rats fed CaCO3 and Aquamin. AM+scFOS also increased Fe absorption and balance compared to Aquamin. Therefore, the effect of AM + scFOS exceeded CaCO3 + scFOS for mineral absorption and balance. Thus the synergistic effects of AM+scFOS in a nutriceutical supplement would improve mineral absorption and balance.
Session 99E, Nutrition: General II
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