ISU Scientists Prove that Orange Maize is Vitamin A-Rich

Scientists of Iowa State University (ISU) have proven that orange maize is a good source of vitamin A. Orange maize was developed by HarvestPlus and partner institutions for many people in Sub-Saharan Africa who cannot afford to include vitamin A-rich food in their daily diet. It has higher content of beta-carotene, which will be converted to vitamin A upon consumption. Through their study, scientists discovered that the conversion rate of beta-carotene to vitamin A in orange maize is much higher than in vegetables.

"We are encouraged that this higher conversion ratio has been scientifically established," said Dr. Erick Boy, Nutrition Head of HarvestPlus. "In 2012, we plan to release orange maize in Zambia, in areas where almost half of children under five remain at risk of vitamin A deficiency. This new finding means that we should be able to provide far more dietary vitamin A through orange maize than previously thought possible. We're looking at up to 30% of the daily requirement for children from two to six years old and 40% of the daily requirement for women of childbearing age."

For more information about orange maize, visit http://www.harvestplus.org/content/scientists-find-%E2%80%98orange%E2%80%99-maize-good-source-vitamin.