MAT-SLF-Matprogr.:Prosj.fullfin.av SLF

The overall objective of the project is to optimise the iodine concentration in milk to prevent health problems related to iodine deficiency in humans and simultaneously assess the iodine status with respect to animal health, and to ensure that the iodine status in the population is sufficient with respect to nuclear safety. Cow milk is the selected dietary product because it has a central position as iodine source for Norwegians. The factors that will be investigated are: - Characterisation of glucosinol ates and derivates thereof (e.g. thiocyanate) as well as iodine in the feed with particular emphasis on rapeseed products from bio-fuel production - Interaction of glucosinolates and various iodine sources on milk iodine concentration - Digestibility and uptake of iodine from the digestive tract - Transfer mechanisms for iodine from blood to the milk - Excretion of iodine in urine and faeces - Iodine status in animals Iodine is an essential trace element in human and animal diets. To overcome deficiency problems, iodine has been added to animal feed for several decades. Iodine is transferred to milk and dairy products, which are a primary iodine source in human diets. In recent years a trend of reduced iodine concentration in cow milk is observed. The r eason for reduced iodine content in milk is not known, but a main hypothesis is that it is related to increased use of rapeseed products in the feed. The concern is that the new and cheaper rapeseed products from the bio-fuel industry contain more glucosi nolates and/or thiocyanate then the former products either by increased content in the rapeseeds or in-proper heat treatment. Our knowledge on this subject is rather scarce and the project aims to increase our knowledge in respect to sufficient iodine sup plementation with respect to nutritional needs and health. The project is for 3 years and is a co-operation between IHA (owner)and IPM at UMB, NVH, VI and the Friederic Loeffeler Institute in Germany.