2001 AACC Annual Meeting Charlotte, North Carolina October 14-18, 2001 Charlotte Convention Center

The in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell culture model developed by Glahn et al. (J. Nutr. 128:1555-1561, 1998) was used to compare Fe bioavailability from 15 selected Fe-dense and normal genotypes of unpolished rice, and from 15 grain-Fe-dense wheat genotypes. Iron concentration in the rice samples ranged from 14 - 39 µg Fe/g. No correlation was observed between bioavailability and grain-Fe concentration. Phytic acid levels were not correlated with Fe bioavailability. Genotypes with low Fe bioavailability were noticeably more brown to purple in color, suggesting that certain compounds related to rice grain color may be a major factor limiting Fe bioavailability. The Fe content of the wheat samples ranged from 24 - 211 ug Fe/g. Fe bioavailability ranged from 50-160% of the control. No correlation between Fe uptake and Fe concentration were evident. Several varieties of wheat were identified that may be high in iron content with good iron availability, but additional research is needed to determine if these differences are sustainable. This model system was also used to compare the Fe bioavailability of 14 forms of Fe added to a processed wheat product. NaFeEDTA was the most available. The Caco-2 model shows promise as a rapid, cost-effective tool to predict human iron uptake and as a screening method to determine what cereal varieties, foods and fortificants can best combat iron deficiency anemia.