Assessment of Zinc, Iron, and Microbes concentrations in Blood Cockles (Anadara granosa) as Complementary Foods and Implications for reducing of Micronutrition Deficiency
Blood cockles (Anadara granosa) are filter feeder that can accumulate heavy metals and microbes so that need to pay attention to the maximum intake. The objective of this study was to evaluate the content of Fe, Zn, a total of microbes and maximum tolerable intake value (MTI). The study employed quantitative analysis. The samples were collected from Wonggarasi Timur Village, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, Indonesia. The determination of Fe and Zn was carried out through Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the microbes total was done by using the Total Plate Count test. Maximum Tolerable Intake value was calculated according to the provisions of JEFCA. The results of the study showed that the Fe and Zn average of blood cockles ranged from 227.85±5.04 ppm – 247.98±6.77ppm and 2.77±0.07ppm-2.82±0.09ppm. Microbes total ranged from 1.7 x 103 colonies/g – 2.4 x 103 colonies/g. The MTI value assumed for person weighing 70 kg based on Fe and Zn content of blood cockle is 0.226kg/day - 0.467kg/day and 24.822kg/day - 24.911kg/day. Blood cockles are a source of Fe, Zn and are safe for consumption according to MTI. Consumption of blood cockles helps reduce the problem of deficiency of Fe and Zn. The content of Fe is higher than the content of Zn in blood cockles. Blood cockles from Pohuwato regency are safe for consumption according to MTI. The microbes total in blood cockles ranged from 1.7x103 colonies/g -2, 4x 103 colonies/g. This total is below the Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan/ Indonesian National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) standard, which is 5 x 105 CFU/g so that the blood cockles are safe for consumption.