DETERMINATION OF FOOD FOLATE

Trienzyme treatment appears to be essential for Obtaining the maximum possible value of folate in food items. Trienzyme treatment is perform ed rising protease and alpha-amylase treatment for the extraction of f ood folate trapped or bound to protein or carbohydrate matrices, and u sing traditional folate conjugate for the hydrolysis of polyglutamyl f olates that are regularly present in foods. Because the conditions (pH and incubation time) of pretense and alpha-amylase treatments vary am ong individual foods, it would be labor intensive and time consuming t o put together reliable and accurate food folate tables. However, cons idering the importance of folate nutriture for the maintenance of hear th and the prevention of certain diseases, it is important to establis h dependable food folate tables to accurately estimate dietary intake of folate and to recommend adequate dietary folate intake in the gener al population. (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 1998.