Levels of Fe and Zn in staple cereals: micronutrient deficiency implications in rural Northeast Nigeria.

Maize, millet, rice and sorghum are staple cereals and major source of micronutrients for rural dwellers of Northeast Nigeria. These cereals were randomly sampled form the open markets and investigated for the levels of Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) with a view to provide supportive monitoring information on possible dietary deficiency implications. The standard calibration method of flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the determination of Fe and Zn in the cereals. The results of the analysis show average Fe concentrations in cereals: Millet (10.28±2.38µg/g), Maize (5.26± 1.41µg/g), Sorghum (11.03±5.32µg/g) and Rice (6.67±5.94µg/g), and average Zn concentrations in cereals, Millet (5.89±0.88µg/g), Maize (3.92±0.91µg/g), Sorghum (3.84±0.92µg/g), Rice (1.80±0.32µg/g). This study revealed low levels of Zn and Fe in the cereal grains from the study areas, an observation that might be a risk factor for micronutrient malnutrition in the populations of rural dwellers of this region that depend so much on these cereals in their diets. Thus although exposure effects could be additive for Fe where similar foods are eaten, the Zn and Fe contents of the cereal grains may also be hampered from full absorption in the body due to lack of aiding diet components and certain cultural practices.