ß-lactoglobulin as a vector for ß-carotene food fortification.

ABSTRACT

Food fortification is a strategy to overcome vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. Our aim was to investigate the involvement of the bovine milk protein ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg), a potential retinoid carrier, in vitamin A absorption. In vivo experiments were conducted by force-feeding mice with retinol or ß-carotene associated with either ß-Lg or oil-in-water emulsion, with subsequent determination of both vitamin A intestinal mucosa and plasma contents. Caco-2 cells were then used to investigate the mechanisms of vitamin A uptake when delivered by either ß-Lg or mixed micelles. We showed that ß-Lg was as efficient as emulsion to promote ß-carotene, but not retinol, absorption in mice. Similar results were obtained in vitro. Interestingly, an inhibitor of the Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I significantly decreased the uptake of micellar ß-carotene but not that of ß-carotene bound to ß-Lg. Overall, we showed that ß-Lg would be a good vector for ß-carotene food fortification.