The content of zinc and selenium in local food products of Yakutia

Deficiency of the necessary complex of micronutrients under abnormal nutrition structure creates a problem for the preservation of health and performance of the population. In this regard, it is very relevant to develop a science-based strategy for the consumption of traditional Yakut national food that have a high nutritional value and are able to satisfy the requirements of the human body in micronutrients. The purpose of the research was to investigate the content of selenium and zinc in the local foods which are most commonly consumed by the population of Yakutia. Material and methods. The objects of study were meat (7-9 cuts each) and offal (9-11 species each) of the Yakut cattle breed (2 bulls at the age of 2.5 years), of the Yakut horse foals (3 heads at the age of 6 months), northern domestic deer (3 heads), and whitefish (Coregonus muksun), Yakut crucian carp (Carassius carassius jacuticus), lake minnow [Phoxinus percnurus (Pallas)] (3 kg each). The trace elements, zinc and selenium, were determined by infrared spectroscopy. Results. The greatest amount of zinc in the meat of farm animals was noted in the meat of Yakut cattle (6.8±0.3 mg/100 g) and Yakut horse foals (6.7±0.2 mg/100 g), and the lowest - in the meat of domestic reindeer (1.5±0.1 mg/100 g). In terms of selenium content, the meat of domestic reindeer had the highest indicators (37.0±1.0 μg/100 g), and the meat of Yakut cattle had the lowest (19.0±0.8 μg/100g). The highest concentration of zinc and selenium was found in by-products of reindeer: zinc level in the heart and liver was 12.8 mg/100 g, in the small intestine and rennet - 19.0-20.4 mg/100 g, selenium level in the colon and rennet was 41.0-46.7 μg/100 g. The content of zinc and selenium in the fresh-water muksun belly (2.14±0.08 mg and 45.0±1.8 μg in 100 g) was 32.3-37.2% higher than in the fillet of muksun, and selenium level was 3 fold higher than in the Yakut carp and in the lake minnow. The consumption of 100-200 g of meat or by-products of Yakut cattle, Yakut horse foals, by-products of reindeer or Yakut crucian carp can fully cover the daily requirement of an adult in zinc. The consumption of 200 g of venison or muksun completely covers the daily need for selenium, while the portion of the other studied products contains about half or more of recommended daily intake of this trace element. Conclusion. The data presented in the article show that the population of Yakutia, with a rational diet with local products, can meet the requirements in selenium and zinc in accordance with physiological needs.