BIOAVAILABILITY OF CHROMIUM TO RATS FROM RAW AND COOKED PREPARATIONS OF POTATO

The bioavailability of chromium was examined in three feeding studies using laboratory rats. Absorption of the mineral from extrinsically labeled potato preparations was compared to absorption of an intrinsic potato label and of chromate. Raw and cooked potato preparations were fed. Excretion of endogenous chromium was 6% of daily intake. True and apparent absorption of chromium were calculated as percent of intake and were apparently affected by both labeling and preparation methods used. True absorption from extrinsically labeled feedings was 33.4±4.7% and apparent absorption, 27.0±7.1%. No difference existed between raw and cooked feedings. These results differed significantly from absorption of intrinsic labels and of chromate. True absorption from raw intrinsically labeled potatoes was 13.3±5.9% of dose. Apparent absorption of raw intrinsically labeled feedings (11.1±7.9%) differed significantly from that of the cooked intrinsically labeled material (-0.7±2.8%). True absorption of inorganic chromium was 17.8% and apparent absorption, 11.5%. © 1990 Pergamon Press plc.