Journal article
Carotenoid content and traditional knowledge of breadfruit cultivars of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Vol.34(2), pp.192-199
2014
Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and non-communicable diseases including cancer, heart disease and diabetes are serious health problems in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), a small island nation of the Pacific. These health problems are related to the trend towards over-consumption of unhealthy imported processed foods and neglect of traditional foods. Breadfruit ( Artocarpus altilis and Artocarpus mariannensis) is the most widely available traditional starch food for RMI people. The ripe fruit flesh is yellow or sometimes orange, as with the Mejwaan cultivar, indicative of carotenoid content. Carotenoid-rich foods can protect against VAD and non-communicable diseases. Yet little information on carotenoid content of Marshallese breadfruit cultivars is available. This study documents traditional knowledge of breadfruit cultivars using ethnography, and analyzed 6 breadfruit cultivars of 2 species, A. altilis and A. mariannensis, for provitamin A (β- and α-carotene) and total carotenoid content, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ripe seeded breadfruit Mejwaan contained strikingly rich concentrations of β-carotene (3540. μg/100. g fresh weight). Samples of other ripe and mature cultivars, characterized by lighter-colored flesh, contained medium- to low-carotenoid content (<5-102. μg/100. g fresh weight). As samples were harvested from field-grown plants, it should be noted that the quantity of carotenoids may vary when the same cultivars are planted in different sites. Local experts reported that Mejwaan was once common but is now becoming rare, and that people are now consuming its ripe flesh much less frequently; the discovery of Mejwaan's rich carotenoid content should be used to promote this cultivar for its important health benefits. © 2014 .
Details
- Title
- Carotenoid content and traditional knowledge of breadfruit cultivars of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Authors
- L Englberger (Author) - Island Food Community of Pohnpei, Federated States of MicronesiaR Lorennij (Author) - Ministry of Resources and Development, Republic of the Marshall IslandsMary Taylor (Author) - Secretariat of the Pacific Community, FijiV S Tuia (Author) - Secretariat of the Pacific Community, FijiW Aalbersberg (Author) - University of the South Pacific, FijiU Dolodolotawake (Author) - University of the South Pacific, FijiL Tibon (Author) - KIJLE, Republic of the Marshall IslandsJ Tibon (Author) - Chief Secretary's Office, Republic of the Marshall IslandsJ Alfred (Author) - Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Publication details
- Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Vol.34(2), pp.192-199
- Publisher
- Academic Press
- Date published
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jfca.2012.05.002
- ISSN
- 0889-1575; 0889-1575
- Organisation Unit
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449195402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
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- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Chemistry, Applied
- Food Science & Technology
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Source: InCites