micronesian staple foods and the “yellow varieties message”

MICRONESIAN STAPLE FOODS AND
THE “YELLOW VARIETIES MESSAGE”
By Lois Englberger 1 , Adelino Lorens 1,2 , Kiped Albert 1,2 ,
Amy Levendusky 1,3 , Julia Alfred 4 , and Tinai Iuta 5
1 Island Food Community of Pohnpei, 2 Pohnpei Agriculture of the Office of Economic
Affairs, 3 Peace Corps Micronesia, 4 Marshall Islands Ministry of Health, 5 Kiribati
Ministry of Health and Medical Services
Background
Backgroun

This paper focuses on work carried out in three
independent Pacific Island countries in the
Micronesian region:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Republic of Kiribati

BACKGROUND
- The great shift from traditional foods to rice and
other imported highly processed and fatty foods has
been followed by serious problems of nutritionallyrelated
diseases in the Federated States of Micronesia,
Marshall Islands, and Kiribati.
- For all three countries there are now serious
emerging problems of Vitamin A deficiency (VAD),
and chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease,
cancer.
- Programs to promote leafy green vegetables met
with limited success (they were not previously eaten).
- There are many varieties of the major staple foods:
banana, giant swamp taro, breadfruit and pandanus.
- A systematic multiple-methodological participatory
assessment of the nutrient content of samples of these
revealed a great range of nutrient content and that
those varieties with a deeper yellow flesh coloration
are carotenoid-rich.

BANANA
- Of 25 varieties assessed, β-carotene content ranged
from 30 to 8508 µg/100 g edible flesh.
- Ripe samples of 18 varieties contained significant levels,
potentially meeting half or all of vitamin A
requirements for a non-pregnant, non-lactating woman.
- Five flesh colors were identified: white, cream, yellow,
yellow/orange, and orange. Color is a good indicator of
provitamin A carotenoid levels in banana varieties.

- One variety, Karat, the traditional infant food
of Pohnpei, also
contained significant levels
of riboflavin, niacin, and
α-tocopherol.
- Karat is a Fe’i banana
with an erect bunch.

GIANT SWAMP TARO
- Of 33 varieties assessed, β-carotene content
ranged from 56 to 4486 µg/100 g edible flesh.
- Some varieties were also very rich sources of
essential minerals, including zinc and iron.
- Giant swamp taro is an important food of the
atoll islands, where few crops can grow.
BREADFRUIT

BREADFRUIT
- Of 7 varieties assessed, β-carotene content
ranged from

PANDANUS
- Of 25 varieties assessed, β-carotene content ranged
from 19 to 19,086 µg/100 g edible flesh. Pandanus is
also an important atoll food.

NOVEL APPROACH – to promote these foods
- People in the community are aware of the differences in flesh
color of different varieties.
- Use the “Yellow Varieties Message” to communicate that
these foods have potential health benefits, for several health
problems: vitamin A deficiency, anemia, diabetes, heart disease
and cancer. Repeat this message through different activities:
- Genebank collections to conserve rare varieties
- Posters, booklets, cards, recipes
- FSM Karat Postal Stamp
- Governor’s Proclamation of Karat as Pohnpei State Banana
- Workshops and public promotional events promoting the “Yellow
Varieties Message”

CONCLUSIONS
- A systematic, participatory, inter-agency investigation
using an ethnographic approach for identifying nutrientrich
foods and varieties and for understanding food
practices and beliefs is critical.
- Many varieties of traditional Micronesian foods are rich
sources of carotenoids (including provitamin A
carotenoids), vitamins, and minerals.
- Thus, they offer potential for alleviating micronutrient
deficiencies in Micronesia, and there is growing evidence
of their role in chronic disease.
- Yellow coloration may be used as an indicator for
carotenoid-rich banana varieties (and other foods).
- Some varieties are rare, whereas others are available but
not well-utilized.
- There is a wealth of foods and varieties in Micronesia,
most not yet analyzed, and Micronesian people are very
interested in having their foods analyzed.
- This approach may be relevant elsewhere where similar
foods are available.

PUBLICATIONS
Englberger et al. 2003. Micronesian banana, taro, and other foods: newly
recognized sources of provitamin A and other carotenoids. J Food Comp Anal
16:3-19.
Englberger et al. 2003. Further analyses on Micronesian banana, taro, breadfruit
and other foods for provitamin a carotenoids and minerals. J Food Comp Anal
16:219-236.
Englberger et al. 2003. Carotenoid-rich bananas: a potential food source for
alleviating vitamin A deficiency. Food Nutr Bull. 24(4):303-18.
Englberger et al. 2006. Carotenoid content of pandanus fruit cultivars and other
foods of the Republic of Kiribati. Public Health Nutrition. In press.
Englberger et al. 2006. Carotenoid content of different edible pandanus fruit
cultivars of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. J Food Comp Anal. In press.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FSM, Marshall Islands and Kiribati Governments including:
Pohnpei Office of Economic Affairs; Departments of Health and Education
Pohnpei Department of Land & Natural Resources/Historic Preservation Office
College of Micronesia-FSM Land Grant Program
Key informants, farmers, and markets
Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment - Sight and Life
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - United Nations Children’s Fund
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
Pacific Agriculture Plant Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN)
Regional Germplasm Centre (RGC), Lifestyle Health Section (LHS)
SPC Pacific German Regional Forestry Project - Peace Corps Micronesia
Australian, New Zealand, and German Governments
University of Queensland, University of Hawaii, Institute of Applied
Sciences/University of the South Pacific, DSM Nutritional Products,
University of Adelaide, University of Sydney, Emory University

THANK YOU!