Evaluation of bioaccessible and bioavailable fractions of nutrients and contaminants in vegetables

Abstract

This project aims to study the bioaccessibility and the bioavailability of nutrients and contaminants in vegetables. Considering the quantification of the total content of Cd, Fe, Pb, and Zn, present in different types of vegetables, Caco-2 cells, which are extracted from human colon epithelial cells of the small intestine, will be used to predict in vitro the absorption by the human body (bioavailability) of nutrients present in the samples. Bioavailability studies employing the cellular model are often used internationally, but in Brazil this model is only used for the determination of the bioavailable fraction of the organic components in food, not being reported studies related to the determination of bioavailable fraction of inorganic components. For in vitro bioaccessibility studies some enzymes will be used to simulate the gastrointestinal digestion. The resulting digested will then be subjected to bioavailability evaluation with the Caco-2 cells. Quantification of the analytes in bioaccessible and bioavailable fractions will be performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry ICP OES, and/or graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry, GF AAS, depending on their concentration. If available, ICP-MS technique will also be used. At the end of this project, it is expected to contribute to a more complete knowledge of the nutritional value of some vegetables such as lettuce and cole, once the effective absorption of these nutrients by the body will be determined. (AU)