Xanthophyll epoxides, unlike beta-carotene monoepoxides, are not detectibly absorbed by humans

Auteur(s) :
Olson JA., Barua AB.
Date :
Déc, 2001
Source(s) :
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION. #131:12 p3212-3215
Adresse :
BARUA AB,IOWA STATE UNIV,DEPT BIOCHEM BIOPHYS & MOL BIOL; AMES IA 50011, [email protected]

Sommaire de l'article

Increased intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Epoxycarotenoids are widely distributed in nature and constitute major dietary carotenoids in a number of fruits and vegetables. Previous studies have shown that beta -carotene 5,6-epoxide was absorbed well by humans, and was much more active than beta -carotene in inducing the differentiation of NB4 cells. Xanthophyll epoxides such as neoxanthin, violaxanthin and lutein 5,6-epoxide, are more abundant than epoxy-hydrocarbon carotenes in a number of vegetables and fruits that humans consume. To determine whether xanthophyll epoxides are also absorbed by humans, lutein 5,6-epoxide (taraxanthin) and zeaxanthin 5,6,5'6'-diepoxide (violaxanthin) were chemically prepared, dissolved in corn oil and orally administered to three human subjects. Analysis of plasma for carotenoids within 9 h after a single oral dose of either violaxanthin or taraxanthin failed to show any violaxanthin, taraxanthin or any of their metabolites.

Source : Pubmed
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