Iron content in common Cambodian fish species: Perspectives for dietary iron intake in poor, rural households

Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional disorder in Cambodia. Sixteen Cambodian fish species were screened for iron, zinc and calcium contents. Esomus longimanus has a higher iron content (451 mg Fe/kg dry matter, SD = 155, n = 4) than other species. Iron pools were measured as inorganic iron (I-Fe) by the ferrozine method, haem-bound iron (H-Fe) by the acetone method and total iron (T-Fe) by atomic absorption spectrometry. I-Fe + H-Fe accounted for <50% of T-Fe in E. longimanus, indicating a pool of complex bound, probably high-molecular weight non-haem iron (Hm-Fe). In a field study, thirty rural women were interviewed about traditional use of E. longimanus; their cleaning and cooking practices were observed and the amounts of fish consumed were recorded and meal samples were collected for iron analysis. Calculations based on the iron content and a high bioavailability of Hm-Fe showed that a traditional fish meal, sour soup, covered 45% of the daily iron requirement for women.