Vitamin A deficiency is a disorder of public health importance in Sri Lanka. A recent national survey revealed that 36% of preschool children in Sri Lanka have vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol <0.2 µg ml −1 ). In view of its well-established association with child morbidity and mortality, this is a reason for concern. One of the main fruits which has been recommended for prevention of vitamin A deficiency in Sri Lanka is papaya (Carica papaya L). In this study the carotenoid profiles of yellow-and red-fleshed papaya were analysed by medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) and UV-vis spectrophotometry. A section of yellow-fleshed papaya showed small carotenoid globules dispersed all over the cell, whereas in red-fleshed papaya the carotenoids were accumulated in one large globule. The major carotenoids of yellow-fleshed papaya were the provitamin A carotenoids β-carotene (1.4 ± 0.4 µg g −1 dry weight (DW)) and β-cryptoxanthin (15.4 ± 3.3 µg g −1 DW) and the non-provitamin A carotenoid ζ -carotene (15.1 ± 3.4 µg g −1 DW), corresponding theoretically to 1516 ± 342 µg kg −1 DW mean retinol equivalent (RE). Red-fleshed papaya contained the provitamin A carotenoids β-carotene (7.0 ± 0.7 µg g −1 DW), β-cryptoxanthin (16.9 ± 2.9 µg g −1 DW) and β-carotene-5,6-epoxide (2.9 ± 0.6 µg g −1 DW), and the non-provitamin A carotenoids lycopene (11.5 ± 1.8 µg g −1 DW) and ζ -carotene (9.9 ± 1.1 µg g −1 DW), corresponding theoretically to 2815 ± 305 µg kg −1 DW mean RE. Thus the carotenoid profile and organisation of carotenoids in the cell differ in the two varieties of papaya. This study demonstrates that carotenoids can be successfully separated, identified and quantified using the novel technique of MPLC. INTRODUCTIONVitamin A deficiency is a disorder of public health importance in Sri Lanka. A recent national survey revealed that 36% of preschool children in Sri Lanka have vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol <0.2 µg ml −1 ). In view of its well-established association with child morbidity and mortality, this is a reason for concern.Vitamin A is available from animal sources in the form of retinol, retinal, retinoic acid or esters, and from plant sources, particularly fruits and vegetables, in the form of provitamin A carotenoids. There are approximately 50 known active provitamin A carotenoids, of which β-carotene makes the largest contribution to vitamin A activity in plant foods. Recent findings suggest that the bioavailability of carotenoids in fruits and vegetables may be much lower than previously estimated. 1,2 Research is currently under way to revise the previously established conversion factors.

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Cinnamon is the oldest spice and has been used by several cultural practices for centuries. In addition to its culinary uses, cinnamon possesses a rising popularity due to many stated health benefits. Out of the large number of cinnamon species available, Cinnamomum aromaticum (Cassia) and Cinnamomum zeylanicum have been subjected to extensive research. Available in vitro and in vivo evidence indicates that cinnamon may have multiple health benefits, mainly in relation to hypoglycaemic activity. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of cinnamon is stated also to be brought about by its anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-tumour, blood pressure-lowering, cholesterol and lipid-lowering and gastro-protective properties. This article provides a summary of the scientific literature available on both C. aromaticum and C. zeylanicum. All studies reported here have used cinnamon bark and its products. Although almost all the animal models have indicated a pronounced anti-diabetic activity of both cinnamon species, conflicting results were observed with regard to the few clinical trials available. Therefore, the necessity of evaluating the effects of cinnamon for its therapeutic potential through well-defined and adequately powered randomized controlled clinical trials is emphasized, before recommendations are made for the use of cinnamon as an effective treatment for humans.

Vitamin A deficiency is of public health importance in Sri Lanka. Carotenoids are a significant source of provitamin A. The objective of this study was to analyse the carotenoid composition of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus sinhala: Waraka) kernel using MPLC and visible spectrophotometry and to determine the bioavailability and bioconversion of carotenoids present in jackfruit kernel by monitoring (i) the growth and (ii) levels of retinol and carotenoids in the liver and serum of Wistar rats provided with jackfruit incorporated into a standard daily diet. Carotenoid pigments were extracted using petroleum ether/methanol and saponified using 10% methanolic potassium hydroxide. Six carotenoids were detected in jackfruit kernel. The carotenes β-carotene, α-carotene, β-zeacarotene, α-zeacarotene and β-carotene-5,6-epoxide and a dicarboxylic carotenoid, crocetin, were identified, corresponding theoretically to 141.6 retinol equivalents (RE) per 100 g. Our study indicated that jackfruit is a good source of provitamin A carotenoids, though not as good as papaya. Serum retinol concentrations in rats supplemented with jackfruit carotenoids were significantly higher (p = 0.008) compared with the control group. The same was true for liver retinol (p = 0.006). Quantification was carried out by RP-HPLC. These results show that the biological conversion of provitamin A in jackfruit kernel appears satisfactory. Thus increased consumption of ripe jackfruit could be advocated as part of a strategy to prevent and control vitamin A deficiency in Sri Lanka.

The main bitter principle of Palmyrah (BorussusJlabellfer L) fruit pulp has been tentatively identified as a steroidal saponin which is tetraglycoside (flabelliferin 11) containing two glucose and two rhamnose residues. Bitterness can be removed by the action of naringinase both on the crude bitter principle extracts (containing flabelliferins I and 11) and natural fruit pulp. Naringinase released glucose and rhamnose to produce other flabelliferins, two of which occur naturally in palmyrah tuber.

Vitamin A deficiency is an important issue for public health in Sri Lanka, where pro-vitamin A carotenoids from green leafy vegetables provide most of the dietary vitamin A. The objective of this study was to analyse the β-carotene content of seven types of green leafy vegetables and calculate the contribution of one traditionally cooked portion to the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of retinol. The total amount and in vitro accessibility of β-carotene were determined using HPLC. The in vitro method simulates the conditions in the human intestinal tract. The all-trans-β-carotene content in the fresh blanched vegetables ranged from 149 µg g −1 dry weight (DW) in leaves of Alternanthera sessilis (mukunuwanna) to 565 µg g −1 DW in Amaranthus caudatus (thampala). One portion (100 g) of green leaves cooked without fat (coconut) only contributed from 140 to 180 µg mg −1 of the recommended daily allowance. A. sessilis, Centella asiatica (gotukola), Spinacea oleracea (nivithi) and A. caudatus, cooked with coconut fat contributed 140-680 µg mg −1 . However, stir-fried or 'malluma' preparations (with coconut products) of Sesbania grandiflora (kathurumurunga) and Manihot esculenta (manioc) may provide more than 1.59-4.37 times the RDA of retinol. These results show that not only the choice of green leaves used but also the addition of fat while cooking is of great importance.

Four saponins (flabelliferins) from palmyrah (Bo~-nss~c.s~r~hc?llifc?r L.) fruit pulp from specimens collected from EIambantota in t h e South of Sri Lanlca, were separated and isolatecl by flash chromatography. Arnetliod forqualitifyi~lg flabelliferins by tlc-clensitometry was cleveloped. FAEhlS data showecl t h a t of the four natural flabellilferins separated. one flabelliferin (F-11) corresponcls to the bitter flabelliferin tetraglycoside pl-eviously isolatecl from fruits collcctccl in Kalpitiya in the North-Westof Sri Lanlta. Tlieotherthreeflabclliferins isolated were labelled F,,. 17,: & F,,. Of these F, and F, were (steroidal triglycosicles of molecular weight 868j and F , an impure steroidal cliglycosicle. I t appears t h a t Llie steroidal aglycone was similar to t h a t isolated pl-eviously (MW = 414). Of the four flabelliferins isolated F,, was most effective in foam stabilisatiot~ while l?,, and I ? , : had the highest haemolytic action a s judged b >~ spectropliotomctry.

Attempts have been made to predict the most feasible end-use for palmyrah fruit pulp (PFP), which is still largely regarded as a waste product. Correlation of end-use with¯abelliferin pro®le is logical but practically dif®cult, as it has been found that the morphology of the fruit and the colour of the pulp (carotenoid content) do not correlate with each other, and that neither has predictive value for the¯abelliferin pro®le. It appears that some varieties of palmyrah are sweet and can be used for products such as jams and cordials. A few very bitter PFPs can be de-bittered with a cheap commercial enzyme for similar uses. The majority of available PFP appears to be best used as an alcoholic fermentation base, with the possibility of using the carotenoids (by-product) as a food colorant.