Content, Bioavailability and Health Effects of Trace Elements and Bioactive Components in Organic Agricultural Systems

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Trace elements, bioactive secondary metabolites and vitamins are among the most important quality parameters in plants. Yet, very little information is available on their content, bioavailability and health effects of organically grown plant food products. The main objective of the project is to study the impact of different agricultural management practises relevant for organic farming on the ability of cereal and vegetable crops to absorb trace elements from the soil and to synthesise bioactive compounds (secondary metabolites, antioxidant vitamins and phytates) with health promoting effects. Field experiments with a rigidly controlled design will be implemented together with state-of-the-art analytical techniques allowing solid conclusions to be drawn on the variability and optimum levels of bioactive compounds. The multitude of analytical data from plant and soil samples will be analysed by multivariate statistical methods in order to reveal differences between the cultivation systems used. Finally, the relationship between bioavailability of the nutrients studied and the elemental fingerprint of plants will be extracted by the statistical methods.

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Organic or conventional diet
* Other: Diet (organic or conventional)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy adults aged 18-45 years BMI 20-30 kg/m2 Non-vegetarian Exclusion Criteria: Physical activity > 10 h/week Intake of dietary supplements Regular use of drugs Chronic diseases Smoking Excessive intake of alcohol

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: II<br>organic animal manure | Other: Organic or conventional diet<br>* 12 days on fully controlled organic 1 diet, organic 2 diet and conventional diet<br>Other: Diet (organic or conventional)<br>* organic or conventional diet<br>|
| Active Comparator: III<br>conventional | Other: Organic or conventional diet<br>* 12 days on fully controlled organic 1 diet, organic 2 diet and conventional diet<br>Other: Diet (organic or conventional)<br>* organic or conventional diet<br>|
| Experimental: I<br>organic green manure | Other: Organic or conventional diet<br>* 12 days on fully controlled organic 1 diet, organic 2 diet and conventional diet<br>Other: Diet (organic or conventional)<br>* organic or conventional diet<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bioavailability of trace elements and secondary metabolites |  | 3 x 12 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Health factors |  | 3 x 12 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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diet, organic, health, healthy people