Total Carotenoid and Beta Carotene Contents of Selected Stored Plant Foods

Abstract

Among the micronutrient deficiencies, vitamin A deficiency is recognized as a serious public health problem linked with, blindness, poor growth in children, reduced immunity and infection. Though the rate of blindness due to xerophthalmia is steadily decreasing, it has become evident in recent years that subclinical deficiency is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among children. The root cause of vitamin A deficiency is the continued inadequate dietary intake of vitamin A rich foods due to ecological, economic and cultural constraints.