RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Yellow-fleshed potatoes biofortified with iron have been developed through conventional breeding, but the bioavailability of iron is unknown. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to measure iron absorption from an iron-biofortified yellow-fleshed potato clone in comparison with a nonbiofortified yellow-fleshed potato variety. METHODS: We conducted a single-blinded, randomized, crossover, multiple-meal intervention study. Women (n = 28; mean ± SD plasma ferritin 21.3 ± 3.3 µg/L) consumed 10 meals (460 g) of both potatoes, each meal extrinsically labeled with either 58Fe sulfate (biofortified) or 57Fe sulfate (nonfortified), on consecutive days. Iron absorption was estimated from iron isotopic composition in erythrocytes 14 d after administration of the final meal. RESULTS: Mean ± SD iron, phytic acid, and ascorbic acid concentrations in iron-biofortified and the nonfortified potato meals (mg/per 100 mg) were 0.63 ± 0.01 and 0.31 ± 0.01, 39.34 ± 3.04 and 3.10 ± 1.72, and 7.65 ± 0.34 and 3.74 ± 0.39, respectively (P < 0.01), whereas chlorogenic acid concentrations were 15.14 ± 1.72 and 22.52 ± 3.98, respectively (P < 0.05). Geometric mean (95% CI) fractional iron absorption from the iron-biofortified clone and the nonbiofortified variety were 12.1% (10.3%-14.2%) and 16.6% (14.0%-19.6%), respectively (P < 0.001). Total iron absorption from the iron-biofortified clone and the nonbiofortified variety were 0.35 mg (0.30-0.41 mg) and 0.24 mg (0.20-0.28 mg) per 460 g meal, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TIA from iron-biofortified potato meals was 45.8% higher than that from nonbiofortified potato meals, suggesting that iron biofortification of potatoes through conventional breeding is a promising approach to improve iron intake in iron-deficient women. The study was registered at www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov as Identifier number NCT05154500.
Assuntos
Ferro , Solanum tuberosum , Humanos , Feminino , Isótopos de Ferro , Peru , Alimentos Fortificados , Sulfatos , Disponibilidade BiológicaRESUMO
Adoption of improved varieties is an important strategy to adapt to the negative implication associated with climate change and variability. However, incomplete data on varietal release and adoption is often the reality in many countries hindering informed decision-making on breeding and varietal dissemination strategies to effectively adapt to climate change. In taking the example of potatoes in India, we analyze the extent to which the potato sector is resilient to climate change. We do so by comparing state-level climate change projections with adoption of high resistant and tolerant potato varieties to major abiotic and biotic stresses. Release and adoption data was collected in 2016 in six expert elicitation workshops conducted with 130 experts from the potato value chain in Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. We found that from the total of 81 releases, 45 improved varieties are adopted in India and that in each state high resistant and tolerant varieties are cultivated providing some degree of varietal resilience. Early maturity has been the most important and heat tolerance is the least important trait. Comparing climate projections with adoption rates of high resistant and tolerant varieties, we found that Gujarat is relatively most resilient. In other states we found some mismatches between climate projections and adopted specific varietal traits. Our results allow policy-makers and breeders to better prioritize investments into breeding for specific traits and dissemination strategies.
RESUMO
Participatory approaches are frequently recommended for international development programs, but few have been evaluated. From 2007 to 2010 the Andean Change Alliance evaluated an agricultural research and development approach known as the "Participatory Market Chain Approach" (PMCA). Based on a study of four cases, this paper examines the fidelity of implementation, the factors that influenced implementation and results, and the PMCA change model. We identify three types of deviation from the intervention protocol (lapses, creative adaptations, and true infidelities) and five groups of variables that influenced PMCA implementation and results (attributes of the macro context, the market chain, the key actors, rules in use, and the capacity development strategy). There was insufficient information to test the validity of the PMCA change model, but results were greatest where the PMCA was implemented with highest fidelity. Our analysis suggests that the single most critical component of the PMCA is engagement of market agents - not just farmers - throughout the exercise. We present four lessons for planning and evaluating participatory approaches related to the use of action and change models, the importance of monitoring implementation fidelity, the limits of baseline survey data for outcome evaluation, and the importance of capacity development for implementers.