Developing countries folates

Folate deficiency is associated with the increased risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida, anencephaly), cardiovascular diseases, megaloblastic anemia, and some cancers (Bailey et al., 2003 Finglas et al., 2006 Scott et al, 1999). Unfortunately, folate intake is suboptimal in most of the world s populations, even in developed countries (Scott et al., 2000). Therefore there is an urgent need to increase folate content and bioavailability in staple foods. Because of its large consumption worldwide, potato is an appealing target for enrichment. 

Folate deficiency is relatively common 8% to 10% of the population of developed countries have low or marginal folate stores. By contrast, dietary deficiency of vitamin B12 is rare, and deficiency is most often the result of impaired absorption (Section 10.7.1). 

Dietary deficiency. Folate deficiency is extremely common in the setting of general malnutrition in developing countries and is a particular problem in childhood. In Western countries folate deficiency occurs in alcoholics, some slimming diets, the elderly, the infirm and psychiatric patients. 

Although folate is widely distributed in foods, dietary deficiency is not uncommon, and a number of commonly used drugs can cause folate depletion. Marginal folate status is a factor in the development of neural tube defects and supplements of 400 fj,g per day periconceptually reduce the incidence of neural tube defects significantly. High intakes of folate lower the plasma concentration of homocysteine in people genetically at risk of hyperhomo-cysteinemia and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, although as yet there is no evidence from intervention studies. There is also evidence that low folate status is associated with increased risk of colorectal and other cancers and that folate may be protective. Mandatory enrichment of cereal products with folic acid has been introduced in the United States and other countries, and considered in others. 

A minority of alcoholics develop nutrient deficiencies. In Western countries, alcoholics represcrit the largest population segment that can benefit from dietary intervention. Alcoholics are at risk for deficiencies in folate, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B, vitamin A, and magnesium, particularly when the intake of these substances is low. In some cases, absorption of the nutrient is impaired in others, catabolism of the nutrient is iitcreased. Thiamin deficiency is a firmly established consequence of alcoholism, as discussed in the iTiiamin section. 

Despite the permanently increasing importance of chromatographic methods, MBAs still keep their specific place in vitamin analysis. As they are generally very sensitive, MBAs are commonly used for vitamin B12, folic acid and biotin. For vitamin groups such as the folates, when detection, separation and quantitation of all vitamers is diificult to achieve, MBAs offer the advantage of obtaining a total value without the need for extensive method development. Because of these considerations, MBA is the gold standard for folates and is still in use as reference method in many countries (AOAC 2006). 

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