Bioavailability of iron from purple laver (Porphyra spp.) estimated in a rat hemoglobin regeneration bioassay

Laver belongs to the genius of Porphyra and is the most valuable seaweed in the aqua-culture industry. It contains higher iron than many other plant f oods. The bioavailability of iron from laver was evaluated in a rat hemoglo bin regeneration assay. Reagent-grade ferrous sulfate was used as the refer ence standard, and the relative biological value (RBV) for lever was expres sed as a percentage of the response to ferrous sulfate. RBV was calculated by two methods: slope-ratio and ratio of hemoglobin regeneration efficiency , and both yielded RBV of 26 for laver. Amount of available iron from laver estimated from RBV was comparable to many iron-fortified foods.