Potential of sweetpotato in reducing vitamin A deficiency in Africa

Hagenimana**, V., K’osambo∗, L.M., and Carey∗∗, E.E. Dietary vitamin A deficiency causes debilitating health problems such as xerophthalmia, corneal lesions, keratomalace, and, in many instances death. Frequent reports about these problems affecting young children from developing countries, continue. To maximize the availability of pro-vitamin A carotenoids, we surveyed main carotenoids in different sweetpotato cultivars in fresh or processed forms. Orange-fleshed roots contained higher total carotenoid and β−carotene content than white- and cream- fleshed lines, and all trans-β−carotene predominated for more than 80%. Carotenoids from orange-fleshed sweetpotato are highly vitamin A active and their consumption in Africa where vitamin A deficiency is prevalent should be encouraged. Twelve weeks after planting, the yield and amount of pro-vitamin A present in roots of orange-fleshed cultivars evaluated were high enough to provide adequate dietary pro-vitamin A and suggest the start of piecemeal harvesting. Incorporation of flour made from orange-fleshed sweetpotato roots into buns, chapatis, and mandazis significantly enriched the products in pro-vitamin A. Results of this study suggest that increased consumption of orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes in either fresh or processed form can contribute in alleviating dietary deficiency of vitamin A