New Findings: High Zinc Content in Giant Swamp Taro - Mwahng

by Dr. Lois Englberger

Findings from the Food and Drug Administration Center (FDA) of the Nutrient Center of Analysis, Atlanta, Georgia, have just confirmed that four varieties of giant swamp taro grown in Pohnpei are rich sources of zinc, an important nutrient for our body. Most rich food sources of zinc tend to be from protein-rich foods like seafood, meat, and eggs, so this is quite an unusual finding, a local plant source high in zinc!

Zinc is a micronutrient needed for growth and protection against infection. Poor zinc status and zinc deficiency is related to serious growth complications and increased morbidity and mortality due to infections.

Dr. Lois Englberger collected the samples last December from Benson and Benida Agriba, living in Palikir, where they maintain a good collection of giant swamp taro and are very familiar with the different varieties. Samples were first investigated for provitamin A carotetnoids, the substances converted to vitamin A in the body. The varieties that have yellow-colored edible portions were found with high levels. Then it was decided to also analyze giant swamp taro for mineral content. Samples of two varieties were first analyzed for mineral content in October 2001, and there was a high content, satisfying the estimated dietary requirements within normal eating patterns. Then last December 2002, giant swamp taro samples were collected again, this time for four different varieties, in order to confirm the first laboratory analysis. Again, the lab found that these varieties were rich sources of zinc.

Zinc absorption is made more complicated due to the interference of phytate content in the food, which ties up the zinc. Normally taro has low content of phytate, although it is hoped that analyses may be carried out to confirm this (NOTE: later analyses did confirm that the phytate levels in Pohnpei giant swamp taro are low).

The findings of the zinc content in the giant swamp taro are presented here, along with some comparisons of zinc content of other foods (note that one standard measuring cup of taro is about 250 g):