Temperature and storage time increase provitamin A carotenoid concentrations and bioaccessibility in post-harvest carrots.

The aim was to enhance provitamin A carotenoid (proVA CAR) concentrations and bioaccessibility in carrots by manipulating post-harvest factors. To that end, we assessed the effects of Ultraviolet-C light, pulsed light, storage temperature, and storage duration. We also measured CAR bioaccessibility by using an in vitro model. Pulsed light, but not Ultraviolet-C, treatment increased proVA CAR concentrations in the cortex tissue (p < 0.05). Longer storage times and higher temperatures also increased concentrations (p < 0.05). The maximal increase induced by pulsed light was obtained after treatment with 20 kJ/m2 and 3-days of storage at 20 °C. However, the positive effect induced by pulsed light decreased considerably over the next seven days. ProVA CAR in carrots with the highest concentrations also proved to be more bioaccessible (p < 0.05). Thus, proVA CAR concentrations in stored carrots can be increased significantly through storage times and temperatures. Pulsed light can also significantly increase proVA CAR concentrations, but only temporarily.

ß-Cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin are highly bioavailable from whole-grain and refined biofortified orange maize in humans with optimal vitamin A status: a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Biofortification of staple crops with ß-carotene is a strategy to reduce vitamin A deficiency, and several varieties are available in some African countries. ß-Cryptoxanthin (BCX)-enhanced maize is currently in field trials. To our knowledge, maize BCX bioavailability has not been assessed in humans. Serum retinol 13C content and xanthophyll concentrations are proposed effectiveness biomarkers for biofortified maize adoption. Objective: We determined the relative difference in BCX and zeaxanthin bioavailability from whole-grain and refined BCX-biofortified maize during chronic feeding compared with white maize and evaluated short-term changes in 13C-abundance in serum retinol. Design: After a 7-d washout, 9 adults (mean ± SD age: 23.4 ± 2.3 y; 5 men) were provided with muffins made from BCX-enhanced whole-grain orange maize (WGOM), refined orange maize (ROM), or refined white maize (RWM) for 12 d in a randomized, blinded, crossover study followed by a 7-d washout. Blood was drawn on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 19. Carotenoid areas under the curve (AUCs) were compared by using a fixed-effects model. 13C-Abundance in serum retinol was determined by using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope-ratio mass spectrometry on days 0, 12, and 19. Vitamin A status was determined by 13C-retinol isotope dilution postintervention. Results: The serum BCX AUC was significantly higher for WGOM (1.70 ± 0.63 µmol ⋅ L-1 ⋅ d) and ROM (1.66 ± 1.08 µmol ⋅ L-1 ⋅ d) than for RWM (-0.06 ± 0.13 µmol ⋅ L-1 ⋅ d; P < 0.003). A greater increase occurred in serum BCX from WGOM muffins (131%) than from ROM muffins (108%) (P ≤ 0.003). Zeaxanthin AUCs were higher for WGOM (0.94 ± 0.33) and ROM (0.96 ± 0.47) than for RWM (0.05 ± 0.12 µmol ⋅ L-1 ⋅ d; P < 0.003). The intervention did not affect predose serum retinol 13C-abundance. Vitamin A status was within an optimal range (defined as 0.1-0.7 µmol/g liver). Conclusions: BCX and zeaxanthin were highly bioavailable from BCX-biofortified maize. The adoption of BCX maize could positively affect consumers' BCX and zeaxanthin intakes and associated health benefits. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02800408.

Production of asymmetric oxidative metabolites of [13C]-ß-carotene during digestion in the gastrointestinal lumen of healthy men.

Background: Asymmetric ß-apo-carotenoids (nonvitamin A-active metabolites) of provitamin A carotenoids have been observed in humans, but no study has investigated their formation during digestion. Objective: The aim of this study was to follow the formation and absorption of asymmetric ß-apo-carotenoids during digestion. Design: Healthy men were intragastrically and intraduodenally intubated, and randomly assigned to consume a lipid-rich control meal (n = 3) or a lipid-rich test meal containing 20 mg [13C-10]-ß-carotene (n = 7). Digesta samples were collected over 5 h, and blood collected over 7 h. The triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fractions of plasma were also isolated. Lipophilic extracts of digesta, plasma, and TRL were analyzed via a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method developed to identify [13C]-labeled ß-apo-carotenals/carotenone, [13C]-ß-apo-carotenols, and [13C]-ß-apo-carotenoic acids. Results: Relative to [13C]-ß-carotene, [13C]-ß-apo-carotenal levels remained ∼3 orders of magnitude lower throughout digestion (no [13C]-ß-apo-carotenols, or [13C]-ß-apo-carotenoic acids were observed). A mixed model determined relative influence of digesta type and time on digesta metabolite level. Increasing time significantly increased the model levels of digesta [13C]-ß-apo-10',12',14',15-carotenal and [13C]-ß-apo-13-carotenone (P < 0.05) and trended toward decreased [13C]-ß-apo-8'-carotenal (P = 0.0876). Gastric digesta were associated with a significantly higher level of [13C]-ß-apo-8'-carotenal (P = 0.0289), and lower levels of [13C]-ß-apo-12',14',15-carotenal (P < 0.05), relative to duodenal digesta. Anticipated retinoids, but no asymmetric [13C]-ß-apo-carotenals, [13C]-ß-apo-carotenols, or [13C]-ß-apo-carotenoic acids, were observed in the blood or TRL samples. Conclusions: ß-Carotene appears to be robust to digestion, with minor amounts of ß-apo-carotenals/carotenone formed. Absence of asymmetric [13C]-ß-apo-carotenals in plasma and TRL suggests lack of absorption, levels below the limit of detection, lack of stability, or further conversion during the digestive process to as-yet unidentified products. Lack of asymmetric [13C]-ß-apo-carotenals in plasma also suggests a lack of postprandial intestinal BCO2 activity in healthy humans. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03492593.

Emulsion design for the delivery of ß-carotene in complex food systems.

ß-Carotene has been widely investigated both in the industry and academia, due to its unique bioactive attributes as an antioxidant and pro-vitamin A. Many attempts were made to design delivery systems for ß-carotene to improve its dispersant state and chemical stability, and finally to enhance the functionality. Different types of oil-in-water emulsions were proved to be effective delivery systems for lipophilic bioactive ingredients, and intensive studies were performed on ß-carotene emulsions in the last decade. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable, and emulsions with intact structures are preferable in delivering ß-carotene during processing and storage. ß-Carotene in emulsions with smaller particle size has poor stability, and protein-type emulsifiers and additional antioxidants are effective in protecting ß-carotene from degradation. Recent development in the design of protein-polyphenol conjugates has provided a novel approach to improve the stability of ß-carotene emulsions. When ß-carotene is consumed, its bioaccessibility is highly influenced by the digestion of lipids, and ß-carotene in smaller oil droplets containing long-chain fatty acids has a higher bioaccessibility. In order to better deliver ß-carotene in complex food products, some novel emulsions with tailor-made structures have been developed, e.g., multilayer emulsions, solid lipid particles, Pickering emulsions. This review summarizes the updated understanding of emulsion-based delivery systems for ß-carotene, and how emulsions can be better designed to fulfill the benefits of ß-carotene in functional foods.