Total folate: diversity within fruit varieties commonly consumed in India

Folate concentrations in selected fruits were measured using the trienzyme extraction and microbiological assay with Lactobacillus casei (subsp. Rhamnosus) as an assay organism. Fruits were purchased from different retail outlets at Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India and were analyzed for total folate content. The folate content in all fruits varied considerably on a fresh weight basis from 10 to 328 mu g/100 g, with tropical fruits ranging between 10 and 211 mu g/100 g, temperate fruits from 11 to 328 mu mg/100 g, and the subtropical fruits in the range of 9-237 mu g/100 g. Amongst all fruits, plum had the highest content of folate (328 mu g/100 g). Data analyzed will assist dietary studies to estimate and evaluate the adequacy of folate intakes of the population, to formulate experimental diets for folate bioavailability studies, and to revise dietary recommendations for the population. In addition, the data will assist the health authorities in planning and executing strategies for intervention programs.