FST 101: Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and Minerals

Substances important in considering quality aspects of food supply

Vitamins

minor but essential organic substances which are essential in human nutrition

Vitamins A, D, E, K

Fat soluble

Vitamin B Complexes and Vitamin C

water soluble

Minerals

• inorganic compounds other than C, H, O, N

• residual constituents which remain as ash after incineration

Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, Cl, S (

main elements

Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, I, Mo, Cr, Se, F

trace elements

Essential elements

biological functions are known

ex: calcium Iron and Zinc

Non-essential

unknown functions

rubidium, boron and silicon

toxic elements

contaminants

lead cadmium in food

Genetics and Maturity

Nutrient composition of plant materials differs with variety and maturity

Post Harvest handling

Lead to loss of vitamins and minerals in foods

Milling

in rice causes decrease in Vit B1, bran is the most nutritive part

Trimming

removal of skin and peels of fruits, damaged or old leaves of vegetables

Leaching

cut surfaces resulting from trimming, peeling and cutting are the outlet for nutrient losses

Processing Chemicals

Some preservative and processing acids added to food have detrimental effect on nutrients

sulfites

are detrimental to thiamine

Nitrite

can react with vit. C, carotenoids and thiamine

Use of Alkali

could destroy thiamine, ascorbic and pantothenic acid

Chlorides

cause oxidation of vitamins

Therman Process

• done to inactivate enzymes and lower microbial load

• most vitamins are highly sensitive to heat and are prone to losses during heating

Government Nutrification Programs

Strategies aim to improve the nutrient in the food

Restoration

add’n of nutrients to restore the original amount of that nutrient in the food

Fortification

add’n of specific nutrients to make food a good and superior source of the added nutrient

Enrichment

addition of specific amount of selected nutrients in accordance with a standard of identity as defined by the USDA

Bioavailability

degree of utilization of the ingested nutrient

Vitamin A

Unsaturated hydrocarbons widely distributed in plants and animals

important in eye vision, immune system, cell growth, skin health

- Can occur as:

➢ Free alcohol (retinol)

➢ Esterified to a fatty acid (retinyl ester)

➢ Aldehyde (11-cis-retinal)

Deficiency of Vitamin A

: thickening of skin (hyperkeratosis), night blindness

Vitamin D

• calciferol ‘ sunshine vitamin’

• Triggers the biosynthesis of Ca- binding protein

• Responsible for intestinal resorption of calcium

• Sensitive to O2 and light

Vitamin D2

ergocalciferol from plants

Vitamin D3

cholecalciferol from animal sources

Vitamin D Deficiency

inadequate calcification of bones and cartilage (osteomalacia, rickets) -

Over-dosage: calcification of soft tissues (hypercalcemia)

1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3

- active form of vitamin d in the body

- Maintains the calcium balance in the body

Vitamin E

tocopherol (ß,∂- most potent antioxidant property; most biologically active form; gamma), tocotrienols

• not synthesized by animals

• contributes to stabilization of membrane structures

Vitamin E deficiency

anemia, skin disorders, muscular dystrophy, sterility in animals

Vitamin K

- Phytomenadione/ phylloquinone (Vit K1)

- biosynthesis of blood clotting factors (prothrombin)

- stability: destroyed by light & alkali, stable to O2 and heat

Vitamin K Deficiency

reduced activity of prothrombin w/c results to intramuscular hemorrhage, anemia, prolonged clotting time

Menaquinone

produced by the bacteria in the gut

Menadione

synthetic form of Vitamin K

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

- thiamine pyrophosphate

- coenzyme in metabolism; synthesis of neurotransmitters;

- low pH and temperature stability, inactivated by nitrites

Vitamin B1 Deficiency

leads to depression, inattentiveness, irritability, defective memory, and failure to concentrate

severe: beri-beri

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

flavin mononucleotide(FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)

- acts as coenzyme, important in metabolism

- relatively stable in food processes, unstable to extreme light exposure

Vitamin B2 deficiency

• can impair energy metabolism

• symptoms include photophobic, burning and ticking of eyes and visual fatigue, dermatitis

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

present as nicotinic acid or nicotinamide “niacinamide” (amide form)

• degradation and synthesis of fatty acids, carbohydrates and amino acids

Vitamin B3 deficiency

causes pellagra (coarse skin) 4D’s, dermatitis, indigestion, diarrhea, dementia, death

Vitamin B5 (Panthotenic acid)

building unit and major component of coenzyme A (is the main carrier of acetyl and other acyl groups in cell metabolism)

Vitamin B5 deficiency

mental depression, physical weakness, increased susceptibility to infection, reduction in formation of bile salts

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

pyridoxal, pyridoxamine - coenzyme form: pyridoxal phosphate - coenzyme for many transformations of amino acids

deficiency: hypochromic anemia

Vitamin B7 (biotin)

prosthetic (nonprotein permanently attached) group of carboxylating enzymes

- important in gluconeogenesis (production of glucose from non carbohydrate sources like amino acids)

- not in free form, bound to proteins

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

synthetic form: folic acid - normal blood formation, homocysteine, metabolism of the immune system, cell division, and maternal tissue growth during pregnancy

Vitamin B9 deficiency

anemia and birth defects

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)

- middle of cyanocobalamin is cobalt

- most complex structure of any vitamins

- unique since it contains a metallic element, cobalt

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

megaloblastic anemia(very large red blood cells), atrophy of the stomach

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

can exist as D- ascorbic acid and Lascorbic acid

acts as antioxidant

• in free form or may be bound to a protein - unstable, readily oxidized

Vitamin C deficiency

scurvy (bleeding gums)

Sodium

• active component of table salt (sodium chloride)

• responsible for activating some enzymes such as amylase

• too much intake leads to hypertension, high blood pressure

Potassium

- controls osmotic pressure within the cell

- controls the balance of fluid in the cells and the release of energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins

- deficiency leads to heart attacks, hypoglycemia, and low blood sugar

Magnesium

activator and constituent of enzymes, specifically those involved in conversion of energy-rich phosphate compounds

deficiency can cause kidney stones, irregular heartbeat, difficulty in sleeping, cramps, and shaky hands

Calcium

important in building and maintaining bones, rate in blood clotting, and muscle contraction

• deficiency results to thinning of bones (osteoporosis) and bone demineralization

Chloride

serves as counter ion for sodium in extracellular fluid

- absorption of this mineral is rapid as well as excretion in the form of urine

- aids in hormone distribution

Phosphorus

- may be used as food additive

- source of energy in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

- serve as buffer which can stabilize emulsions

Iron

component of heme pigments and some enzymes

- present in high amount in some foods, especially in liver

- used as additive to enrich flour and cereal products

Iron deficiency

deficiency: result to anemia, fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath due to lack of O2

Copper

component of some oxidoreductase enzymes

- catalyzes the oxidation of ferrous ion to ferric ion, form in the blood which is the one transported to the iron pool in the liver

Zinc

component of a number of enzymes (alcohol and lactate dehydrogenase)

- activator of some enzymes e.g., dipeptides, lecithinase, phosphatase

- deficiency leads to infantile and anemia

Manganese

• activator of enzymes such as pyruvate, carboxylase, and peptidase

• - for formation of normal bone structures

• - deficiency is unknown and high amounts is non-toxic

Iodine

- large portion of this mineral is covalently bonded to the thyroid gland

- used in biosynthesis of hormone thyroxine

- deficiency results to goiter (enlargement of thyroid gland)

Chromium

important in utilization of glucose since it activates the enzyme phosphoglucomutase

- increase activity of insulin

- deficiency leads to decrease glucose tolerance and increase cardiovascular risks

Cobalt

essential trace element since it has the central atom of vitamin B12