• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.326-336
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• 1991

Present study was to investigate the effect of dietary vegetable sources such as carrot, peahull and squash on mineral balance of Na, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mg in mice. It would also determine if the kind, level and feeding period of vegetables can affect the mineral balance. One hundred and thirty mice weighing $29{\sim}30g$(8 weeks of age) were randomly selected. Ten mice were fed their standard diet, and the others were divided into three experimental groups that were fed standard diet supplemented with carrot, peahull and squash. Mineral intake and urinary and fecal excretion of minerals were measured to investigate the effect of the kind, level and feeding period of vegetables on absorption rate and balance of minerals. Body-weight gain was increased in high peahull diet group compared to the control. No significant difference was observed for feed efficiency ratios between different experimental groups and urine volume was increased by vegetable fed group. Na, Ca, Fe, and Cu intake were lower in high squash-diet fed soup. K intake was higher in carrot fed mice, and Zn, and Mg intake were higher in peahull fed mice. Absorption rate and balance of mineral in control group resulted in positive balance while experimental groups showed negative. The kind of vegetable, feeding level and feeding period affected the intake of Na, K, Ca, Cu and absorption rate of Cu, Zn and balance of K, Cu, Zn to negative. In spite of the higher intake of t Zn and Mg, in experimental groups the absorption rate showed negative balance.