Fortification of precooked maize flour with coarse defatted maize germ.

The possibility of improving the dietary value of precooked maize flour through fortification with 11% coarse defatted maize germ was investigated. The results of tests in humans presented here show that the total iron absorption from the fortified preparation is similar to that from the precooked maize alone, but with the advantage of being richer in several nutrients: protein (25%), zinc (61%), potassium (47%) and magnesium (112%), as well as fiber (34%). Fortification lowers (by 20%) rather than raises the cost of the flour, and may be an important contribution to the diet of those populations where maize bread is a major component of the diet.