Research Article

Effect of plant cultivation methods on content of major and trace elements in foodstuffs and retention in rats

  1. Mette Kristensen1,
  2. Lars F Østergaard2,
  3. Ulrich Halekoh3,
  4. Henry Jørgensen4,
  5. Charlotte Lauridsen4,
  6. Kirsten Brandt5,
  7. Susanne Bügel1,*

Article first published online: 5 AUG 2008

DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.3328

Issue

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

Volume 88, Issue 12, pages 2161–2172, September 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kristensen, M., Østergaard, L. F., Halekoh, U., Jørgensen, H., Lauridsen, C., Brandt, K. and Bügel, S. (2008), Effect of plant cultivation methods on content of major and trace elements in foodstuffs and retention in rats. J. Sci. Food Agric., 88: 2161–2172. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.3328

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Human Nutrition, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark

  2. 2

    The Danish Plant Directorate, Skovbrynet 20, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark

  3. 3

    Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Aarhus, Research Centre Foulum, PO Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark

  4. 4

    Department of Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition, University of Aarhus, Research Centre Foulum, PO Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark

  5. 5

    School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Agriculture Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK

*Department of Human Nutrition, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 AUG 2008
  2. Article first published online: 5 AUG 2008
  3. Manuscript Revised: 27 MAY 2008
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 27 MAY 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 21 JAN 2008

Funded by

  • International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems (ICROFS), Tjele, Denmark

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Keywords:

  • elements;
  • organic food production;
  • conventional food production;
  • retention of elements, rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many consumers perceive organic foods as more nutritious than conventional foods. However, the existing evidence is insufficient to support or refute this belief. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of three different model cultivation systems on selected major and trace element contents of dried foodstuffs (carrots, kale, peas, potatoes and apples) grown in two consecutive years, as well as mineral retention determined in 36 rats (second generation in a multi-generation study) fed diets based on these foodstuffs from one year.

RESULTS: Overall, there was no evident trend towards differences in element content of foodstuffs or diets due to the use of different cultivation systems, and differences between harvest years exceeded those seen between cultivation methods. Also, no significant differences in the retention of elements in rats fed diets derived from different cultivation systems were seen, since higher intake resulted in correspondingly higher excretion.

CONCLUSION: This study does not support the belief that organically grown foodstuffs generally contain more major and trace elements than conventionally grown foodstuffs, nor does there appear to be an effect on the bioavailability of major and trace minerals in rats. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

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