Analysis of mineral content and bioavailability in superfoods

Diplomsko delo opiše problem dandanašnjega prehranjevanja in predstavi potencialno rešitev - superživila. Namen je preveriti ali so superživila res tako visoko hranilna. Bolj podrobno je opisan pomen mineralov za naše telo in zdravje ter mehanizem biodostopnosti mineralov. V prvem delu poskusa analiziramo vsebnost mineralnih snovi v desetih različnih superživilih dveh različnih proizvajalcev z XRF spektrometrom in nato izberemo tri superživila z najvišjo mineralno vsebnostjo za naslednji del poskusa. Na podlagi rezultatov koncentracije elementov primerjamo ali superživilo ustreza priporočenem dnevnem vnosu mineralov. Ugotovimo, da niso vsa izbrana superživila tako visoko hranilna, kot jih oglašujejo proizvajalci. V drugem delu naredimo test biodostopnosti, kjer preverimo koliko mineralov je dostopnih za absorpcijo v telo polža, kar naredimo s postopnim hranjenjem tekom desetih dni, ki jim sledi žrtvovanje polža in seciranje. Na podlagi izračuna koncentracije elementov v hepatopankreasu in mišici, vsebnosti ter normalizirane vsebnosti določimo superživilo, ki ima največ dostopnih elementov.This thesis describes the problem of today\u27s diets and presents a potential solution -superfoods. The aim is to check whether superfoods are really that highly nutritious. The importance of minerals for our bodies and health and the mechanism of mineral bioavailability are described in more detail. In the first part of the experiment, ten different superfoods from two different manufacturers are analysed with an XRF spectrometer and then the three superfoods with the highest mineral content are selected for the next part of the experiment. Based on the results of the elemental concentrations, we compare whether the superfood meets the recommended daily intake of minerals. We find that not all selected superfoods are as highly nutritious as advertised by their manufacturers. In the second part, we perform a bioavailability test to check how much of the minerals are available for absorption into the slug\u27s body, which is done by feeding the slug gradually over a period of ten days, followed by sacrificing the slug and dissecting it. Based on the calculation of the concentration of elements in the hepatopancreas and muscle, the content and the normalised content, we determine the superfood that has the most available elements