Download Quantification of Niacin and Folate Contents in Peanuts

Quantification of Niacin and Folate Contents in Peanuts.
M.L. EAST*, L.L. DEAN, T.H. SANDERS, Department of Food, Bioprocessing
and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 and
USDA, ARS, Market Quality and Handling Research Unit, Raleigh, NC 27695.
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are known to be sources of several important B-vitamins,
including niacin and folate. Recent research has shown that therapeutic doses of niacin
are beneficial for vascular health; therefore, determination of the concentrations found in
current varieties in production and potential breeding lines is needed. Folate is a term for
a related group of compounds with vitamin activity important in DNA biosynthesis.
Adequate levels of folate intake have been found to reduce levels of a variety of
syndromes, most notably fetal neural disorders. Current information about the
concentrations and the specific types of folates present may position peanuts as an
important source of this nutrient. For this study, we analyzed a series of samples from
the 2007 and 2008 UPPT and the 2005 Core of the Core peanut germplasm collection to
compare levels of niacin and folates across 10 locations. For the niacin assay, 39 total
UPPT Florunner and NC7 samples were analyzed using the AOAC non cereal foods
method. Selected samples from the Core of the Core were also analyzed. Samples were
replicated within and between years. Niacin concentration (mg/100g) ranged from 8.20
to 25.8 with an average of 16.1 for the 2007 UPPT samples, 17.7 for the 2008 UPPT
samples, and 16.8 for the Core of the Core samples. The average niacin concentration
in Florunner and NC7 samples increased from 14.6 and 17.4 in 2007 to 16.4 and 18.9 in
2008, respectively. Regardless of peanut type, the average concentration of niacin
increased from 16.1 in 2007 to 17.7 in 2008. For the folate assay, Core of the Core
samples were analyzed using the AOAC microbiological method. Folic acid
concentration (mg/100g) ranged from 102.8 to 235.9, with an average folate content of
163.3. Environmental effects may influence the content observed between peanut type
and location; however, specific effects are still being investigated. These results suggest
that germplasm/varietal differences may be sufficient for increases in levels of these
vitamins through conventional breeding.