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Dietary Intake of Essential Elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mo, Co) from Tofu Consumption

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Abstract

Tofu is one of the most consumed soybean products. Currently, tofu is consumed in vegan and vegetarian diets to avoid meat. However, it is necessary to determine the content of essential elements to assess the dietary intake. Essential elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mo, Co) were determined in 130 samples of tofu by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy). The highest element content was found in flavoured tofu; the most notable were Na (2519 mg/kg wet weight) and Fe (19.5 mg/kg ww). Consumption of 200 g/day of flavoured tofu by adults would mean a high contribution of Cu (46.9% women, 38.1% men), Fe (55.7% women, 65.0% men) and Na (25.2% adults) to its AI (adequate intakes) sets by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). Natural tofu would mean a remarkably Mn contribution (50% adults) to the AI. Tofu could be an important source of essential elements such as Mg, Mn, Na, Cu and Fe.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

    Soraya Paz, Carmen Rubio, Ángel J. Gutiérrez & Arturo Hardisson

  2. Health Inspection and Laboratory Service, Canary Health Service, S/C de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

    Dailos González-Weller

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  1. Soraya Paz
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  2. Carmen Rubio
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  3. Ángel J. Gutiérrez
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  4. Dailos González-Weller
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Correspondence to Soraya Paz.

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Paz, S., Rubio, C., Gutiérrez, Á.J. et al. Dietary Intake of Essential Elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mo, Co) from Tofu Consumption. Biol Trace Elem Res 199, 382–388 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-020-02151-6

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