Modified Dietary Fiber from Cassava Pulp and Assessment of Mercury Bioaccessibility and Intestinal Uptake Using an In...

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Toxicology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Heavy metal contamination in food, particularly methylmercury in fish, poses significant health risks.
• Modified dietary fiber (MDF) shows potential for mitigating heavy metal absorption.
• Cassava pulp is an abundant, underutilized byproduct of tapioca production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of MDF derived from cassava pulp in reducing mercury bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption.
• To assess the impact of MDF on mercury bioavailability from fish using an in vitro digestion model.

Main Methods:

• MDF was prepared from cassava pulp via enzymatic digestion using α-amylase, amyloglucosidase, and neutrase.
• An in vitro digestion model coupled with Caco-2 human intestinal cells was employed.
• Mercury bioaccessibility and intestinal uptake from fish with and without MDF were quantified.

Main Results:

• MDF significantly reduced mercury bioaccessibility from fish in a dose-dependent manner (34% to 85% reduction).
• The presence of MDF only modestly affected the accumulation of mercury from digesta.
• Optimal MDF yield was achieved using specific enzyme concentrations.

Conclusions:

• MDF derived from cassava pulp is a promising ingredient for reducing mercury bioavailability in foods like fish.
• MDF inhibits the transfer of mercury to the bioaccessible fraction during digestion.
• This approach offers a potential strategy for mitigating mercury-related health risks in consumers.