Effect of different home-cooking methods on the bioaccessibility of zinc and iron in conventionally bred cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) consumed in Brazil

  • Elenilda J. Pereira
  • Lucia M.J. Carvalho Rio de Janeiro Federal University
  • Gisela M. Dellamora-Ortiz Rio de Janeiro Federal University
  • Flávio S.N. Cardoso Rio de Janeiro Federal University
  • José L.V. Carvalho Embrapa Food Technology
Keywords: Food composition, Food processing

Abstract

Background: The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Wap.) is an excellent source of iron and zinc. However, iron from plant sources is poorly absorbed compared with iron from animal sources.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate iron and zinc bioaccessibility in cowpea cultivars after processing.

Methods: Zinc and iron bioaccessibilities in cowpea samples were determined based on an in vitro method involving simulated gastrointestinal digestion with suitable modifications.

Results: When water-soaked beans were cooked in a regular pan, the highest percentage of bioaccessible iron obtained was 8.92%, whereas when they were cooked in a pressure cooker without previous soaking, the highest percentage was 44.33%. Also, the percentage of bioaccessible zinc was 52.78% when they were cooked in a regular pan without prior soaking. Higher percentages of bioaccessible iron were found when cooking was done in a pressure cooker compared with regular pan cooking. In all cultivars, cooking of cowpea beans in both pressure cooker and in a regular pan yielded higher percentages of bioaccessible zinc compared with availability of bioaccessible iron.

Conclusions: Iron bioaccessibility values suggest that cooking in a regular pan did not have a good effect on iron availability, since the percentage of bioaccessible iron was lower than that of zinc. The determination of iron and zinc bioaccessibility makes it possible to find out the actual percentage of absorption of such minerals and allows the development of efficient strategies for low-income groups to access foods with high levels of these micronutrients.

Keywords: bioaccessibility; iron; zinc; Vigna unguiculata; home-cooking methods

(Published: 3 March 2016)

Citation: Food & Nutrition Research 2016, 60: 29082 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v60.29082

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Author Biographies

Lucia M.J. Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro Federal University
School of Pharmacy
Gisela M. Dellamora-Ortiz, Rio de Janeiro Federal University
School of Pharmacy, Department of Drugs and Medicines
Flávio S.N. Cardoso, Rio de Janeiro Federal University
School of Pharmacy
Published
2016-03-03
How to Cite
Pereira E. J., Carvalho L. M., Dellamora-Ortiz G. M., Cardoso F. S., & Carvalho J. L. (2016). Effect of different home-cooking methods on the bioaccessibility of zinc and iron in conventionally bred cowpea (<em>Vigna unguiculata L.</em&gt; Walp) consumed in Brazil. Food & Nutrition Research, 60. https://doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v60.29082
Section
Original Articles

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