Research Articles
Study on Trans Fat Content of Selected Foods Commercially Available in Colombo District of Sri Lanka
Authors:
M. L. D. Wasana,
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, LK
About M. L. D.
Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture
A. de Silva,
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, IN
N. Gunawardana,
World Health Organization, Country Office for Sri Lanka, Colombo 05, LK
D. C. K. Illeperuma,
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, LK
About D. C. K.
Department Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture
W. M. P. B. Weerasinghe,
Veterinary Research Institute, Gannoruwa, LK
W. M. D. C. Weerathunga,
Veterinary Research Institute, Gannoruwa, LK
S. Ekanayake,
University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Nugegoda, LK
About S.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences
T. Madhujith
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, LK
About T.
Department Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture
Abstract
The relationship between the dietary consumption of unsaturated fatty acids with trans configuration and increased risk of coronary heart diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus among others is well established. The sources of intake of trans fats mainly include foods produced using partially hydrogenated oils, fried snack s and baked goods. Fried and baked foods available at eateries, restaurants and sold by roadside vendors are very popular among Sri Lankans. Moreover, home-made fried foods are regularly consumed in the country. Furthermore, reuse of frying oils also contributes to generation of trans fats. Therefore, fried foods are suspected to contain high quantities of trans fat. The present study was designed to quantify the trans fat level of selected processed foods collected from Colombo district. The total fat (saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA)) and trans fatty acid (TFA) contents of food samples were analyzed using GLC. Trans fat content ranged from 0.00 – 1.50 g/100 g in food samples tested. The highest trans fat content was observed in chilli paste samples. Fried rice, collected from Colombo district also contained 0.91 g/100 g of food. It was revealed that the other food items contain <1g / 100 g of trans fatty acid.
How to Cite:
Wasana, M.L.D., de Silva, A., Gunawardana, N., Illeperuma, D.C.K., Weerasinghe, W.M.P.B., Weerathunga, W.M.D.C., Ekanayake, S. and Madhujith, T., 2021. Study on Trans Fat Content of Selected Foods Commercially Available in Colombo District of Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research, 32(4), pp.471–479. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v32i4.8515
Published on
01 Oct 2021.
Peer Reviewed
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