Home Fortification of Rice With Lime: A Novel Potential Way to Reduce Calcium Deficiency in Bangladesh

Improving Calcium Status of Women: Results of a Study of Bio-Availability of Calcium From Slaked Lime Fortified Rice

BACKGROUND

Fortification of rice with slaked lime is an acceptable and inexpensive way to combat calcium (Ca) deficiency. However, bioavailability of calcium after intake of slaked lime fortified rice is yet to be investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To measure the fractional absorption of Ca (FAC) from slaked lime fortified cooked rice.

DESIGN

We conducted an experimental study using stable isotopes of Ca to measure FAC during a single morning test meal containing rice fortified with slaked lime. Participants (n = 22) were given slaked lime fortified rice 3 times a day for 4 days. On the morning of the fifth day, the participants were served the same amount of rice as previous the 4 days at the breakfast test meal with an accurately measured amount of ⁴⁴Ca stable isotope oral tracer followed by an intravenous injection of ⁴²Ca. Urine was collected over the next 24 hours in 3 consecutive 8-hour pools. Fractional absorption of Ca was calculated from the measurement of the relative enrichment of the of each administered tracer ⁴⁴Ca and ⁴²Ca using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The mean Ca concentration in the test meal was 879.5 ± 152.9 µg/g with a coefficient of variance (CV) of 17.2%. Although Ca absorption efficiency decreases with higher calcium intake, the total amount of calcium absorbed from test meal using FAC = 0.391 calculated from the third 8-hour urine pool was 69.0 (CV of 15.6) mg.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that one-fifth of daily calcium recommendation for women of reproductive age could be met by ingesting ∼200 g cooked slake fortified rice.

Calcium Biofortification of Crops-Challenges and Projected Benefits

Despite Calcium (Ca) being an essential nutrient for humans, deficiency of Ca is becoming an ensuing public health problem worldwide. Breeding staple crops with higher Ca concentrations is a sustainable long-term strategy for alleviating Ca deficiency, and particular criteria for a successful breeding initiative need to be in place. This paper discusses current challenges and projected benefits of Ca-biofortified crops. The most important features of Ca nutrition in plants are presented along with explicit recommendations for additional exploration of this important issue. In order for Ca-biofortified crops to be successfully developed, tested, and effectively implemented in most vulnerable populations, further research is required.