Climate Change Enhanced Carotenoid Pro-Vitamin A Levels of Selected Plantain Cultivars
2020
Beloved Mensah Dzomeku | Julian P. Wald | Jens Norbert Wünsche | Donatus Nohr | Hans K. Biesalski
Diet diversification and the exploitation of traditional, micronutrient-rich germplasm of staple crops are generally regarded as sustainable and low-cost approaches to increase the micronutrient intake of resource-poor people. Sun&rsquo:s UV index was collected daily throughout the year. The study assessed the seasonality of provitamin A carotenoids in three plantain cultivars in response to climatic condition. Fruits were harvested at three maturities and freeze-dried before analysis. The results showed that there were high levels of the sun&rsquo:s UV-B radiations throughout the year with the highest occurring from November to May when the area experienced clear skies with minimal cloud cover. These high levels of the sun&rsquo:s UV-B index occurred between 9.00 h GMT and 17.00 h GMT. The study also showed that &alpha:-carotene content increased with maturity in &ldquo:Apantu&rdquo: during the rainy seasons ranging from 95 to 172 &mu:g/100 g of dry pulp. Similar trends were observed during the dry season with a range of 28 to 489 &mu:g/100 g. The &alpha:-carotene contents were very high in the periods of high sun&rsquo:s UV-B radiations compared to the periods of low sun&rsquo:s UV-B radiations. The &alpha:-carotene levels in the giant French plantains showed similar trends. Intermediate French &ldquo:Oniaba&rdquo: and False Horn &ldquo:Apantu&rdquo: plantain cultivar showed the highest content of &beta:-carotene during the dry season. The high provitamin A carotenoid levels in the cultivars coincided with the high levels of the sun&rsquo:s UV index.
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