Multi-micronutrient Sprinkles including a low dose of iron provided as microencapsulated ferrous fumarate improves haematologic indices in anaemic children: a randomized clinical trial.

Home-fortification of complementary foods with micronutrients (including iron) as Sprinkles is a new strategy to control iron deficiency and anaemia in developing countries. However, the most effective dose and form of iron is not known. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of various doses (12.5, 20 or 30 mg) and treatment methods (multi-micronutrient Sprinkles vs. ferrous sulphate drops) on haemoglobin (Hb) concentration after 8 weeks of treatment in anaemic children. In total, 133 anaemic Ghanaian children (Hb 70-99 g L(-1)) aged 6-18 months were randomly assigned to one of five daily interventions for 8 weeks. Out of the five interventions, four used Sprinkles, and one used iron drops. Of the four Sprinkles groups, three included 12.5, 20 or 30 mg of iron as ferrous fumarate, and one included 20 mg of iron as ferric pyrophosphate. The iron drops group included 12.5 mg of iron as liquid ferrous sulphate. Hb concentrations were measured at baseline, week 3 and week 8. The primary outcome measure was Hb concentration at 8 weeks after treatment. We compared differences in Hb and ferritin concentrations and prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (Hb 8.5 mg L(-1)) from baseline to 8 weeks within and between groups. Adherence and reporting of side effects (staining of the teeth, ease of use, diarrhoea and darkening of stools) were compared between groups. Mean change in Hb was 1.4 g L(-1) (SD = 1.8) (P = 0.0001). Change in Hb concentrations from baseline to 8 weeks was significant in all groups (P = 0.0001-0.0007), with no differences across groups. Geometric means of serum ferritin varied from 18.6 to 44.0 microg L(-1) at baseline. At week 8, these means were in the interval of 48.0-78.3 microg L(-1), with no group differences. Prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia decreased significantly from baseline to 8 weeks in all groups with the exception of the iron drops group, with no group differences. Adherence was lower in the drops group (64%) as compared with Sprinkles groups (84%). Greater staining of the teeth and less ease of use were reported in the drops group as compared with Sprinkles groups. A dose as low as 12.5 mg of iron as ferrous fumarate when provided as Sprinkles may be effective in anaemic children

Adição de molibdênio ao inoculante turfoso com bactérias diazotróficas usado em duas cultivares de arroz irrigado Addition of molybdenum in peat innoculum with diazotrophic bacteria used in two rice cultivars

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da utilização de bactérias diazotróficas com ou sem molibdênio em duas cultivares de arroz com diferentes potenciais de fixação biológica de nitrogênio. Dois experimentos foram montados: o primeiro foi conduzido em condições gnotobióticas, com utilização das estirpes BR 11417 (ZAE94 - Herbaspirillum seropedicae) e BR 11340 (M130 - Burkholderia sp.), duas doses de molibdênio, 1,12 e 2,25 g, e duas fontes, molibdato de sódio e molibdato de amônio. As sementes foram peletizadas com inoculante turfoso com bactérias diazotróficas e o molibdênio. Em seguida as cultivares foram plantadas em tubos de ensaio com capacidade para 120 mL com 60 mL da solução de Hoagland sem nitrogênio por 30 dias. Foi avaliada a matéria seca das plantas. O segundo experimento foi conduzido em vasos em casa de vegetação, com as mesmas estirpes e dosagens de molibdênio. Foram avaliados a produção e o N total dos grãos. O delineamento estatístico foi inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições e quatro plantas por vaso. Foram observados aumentos na produção de grãos nas cultivares IR42 e IAC4440 de 88 e 57%, respectivamente, com a adição ao inoculante turfoso, das estirpes ZAE94 e M130 com molibdênio.<br>The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the inoculation of diazotrophic bacteria associated with the molybdenum in two rice cultivars. Two experiments were performed: the first one was lead under gnotobiotics conditions, using Herbaspirillum seropedicae, strain BR 11417 and Burkholderia sp., strain BR 11340, two doses of molybdenum (1.12 and 2.25 g) and two different sources of Mo - sodium molybdate and ammonium molybdate. The seeds were pelleted with peat containing diazotrophic bacteria and molybdenum. After inoculations were seeds planted in to test tubes with capacity for 120 mL content 60 mL Hoagland solution without nitrogen. Seedlings were harvested after 30 days and plant dry weight was evaluated. The second experiment was held in greenhouse with the same strains, sources and amount of molybdenum. The production and the total N of the rice grains were evaluated. Statistical design was completely randomized with four replication and four plants per pot were planted. Grain production increased with the inoculation in the cultivars IR42 and IAC4440 up to 88 and 57%, respectively