Vitamin A Value of Plant Food Provitamin A - Evaluated by the Stable Isotope Technologies

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 25-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangwen Tang
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Plant Food ◽  
Plant Foods ◽  
A Value ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Β Carotene

Humans need vitamin A and obtain essential vitamin A by conversion of plant foods rich in provitamin A and/or absorption of preformed vitamin A from foods of animal origin. The determination of the vitamin A value of plant foods rich in provitamin A is important but has challenges. The aim of this paper is to review the progress over last 80 years following the discovery on the conversion of β-carotene to vitamin A and the various techniques including stable isotope technologies that have been developed to determine vitamin A values of plant provitamin A (mainly β-carotene). These include applications from using radioactive β-carotene and vitamin A, depletion-repletion with vitamin A and β-carotene, and measuring postprandial chylomicron fractions after feeding a β-carotene rich diet, to using stable isotopes as tracers to follow the absorption and conversion of plant food provitamin A carotenoids (mainly β-carotene) in humans. These approaches have greatly promoted our understanding of the absorption and conversion of β-carotene to vitamin A. Stable isotope labeled plant foods are useful for determining the overall bioavailability of provitamin A carotenoids from specific foods. Locally obtained plant foods can provide vitamin A and prevent deficiency of vitamin A, a remaining worldwide concern.

Identification of Enzymatic Cleavage Products of β-Carotene-Rich Extracts of Kale and Biofortified Maize

2017 ◽  
Vol 87 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 279-286
Author(s):  
Tawanda Muzhingi ◽  
Kyung-Jin Yeum ◽  
Andrew H. Siwela ◽  
Odilia Bermudez ◽  
Guangwen Tang
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Enzymatic Cleavage ◽  
Plant Food ◽  
Plant Foods ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Mitochondrial Fractions ◽  
Β Carotene

Abstract. Provitamin A carotenoids in plant foods provide more than 80% of vitamin A intake for people in developing countries. Therefore, the conversion efficiency of β-carotene to vitamin A is important, as it determines the effectiveness of plant foods as sources of vitamin A in humans. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of plant food antioxidants such as α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol, γ-tocotrienol and total γ-oryzanol on the cleavage of β-carotene in vitro. Rat intestinal mucosa post mitochondrial fractions were incubated with β-carotene-rich extracts of kale and biofortified maize for an hour at 37°C. Rat intestinal mucosa post mitochondrial fractions were also incubated with β-carotene in the presence of either α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol, γ-tocotrienol or γ-oryzanol for 60 min at 37°C. The β-carotene cleavage products were extracted and analyzed by an HPLC equipped with a C18 column at 340nm and 450nm. When β-carotene alone was incubated without intestinal mucosa homogenate (control), no cleavage products were detected. When β-carotene alone was incubated with intestinal mucosa homogenate, β-apo-13-carotenone, β-apo-14-carotenal, retinal, retinol and retinoic acid were formed. However, incubation of β-carotene with either α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol or α-tocotrienol resulted in a 10 fold inhibition of β-apo-14-carotenal and β-apo-13-carotenone formation. Antioxidant rich biofortified maize extract incubated with postmitochondrial fraction produced less β-apo-13-carotenone compared to the kale extract. These results suggest that antioxidants inhibit the cleavage of β-carotene and the formation of excentric cleavage products (β-apo-13-carotenone, β-apo-14-carotenal).

scholarly journals Can Increased Vegetable Consumption Improve Iron Status?

1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia de Pee ◽  
Clive E. West ◽  
Muhilal ◽  
Darwin Karyadi ◽  
Joseph G. A. J. Hautvast
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Fortified Foods ◽  
Plant Foods ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Vitamin A Status

Theoretically, vegetable consumption could improve iron status. First, vegetables contain iron. Second, when the provitamin A carotenoids in vegetables improve vitamin A status, the result could be increased iron levels. Most studies on vegetable consumption have focused on improvements in vitamin A status, and only very few have addressed iron status. From a review of the literature and a recent study in Indonesia, we conclude that the data on the effectiveness of vegetables to improve the levels of both nutrients are inconclusive. The bioavailability of both iron and provitamin A carotenoids might be lower than expected. It is necessary to conduct other intervention studies using plant foods, animal foods, and fortified foods. In the meantime, other strategies that have been proved to reduce iron and vitamin A deficiencies should continue.

A Specific Method for the Determination of Provitamin A Carotenoids in Orange Juice

1975 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 595-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel K Reeder ◽  
Gary L Park
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Orange Juice ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Specific Method ◽  
Limits Of Detection ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Β Carotene

Abstract A method has been developed for rapidly determining the amounts of ∝-carotene, β-carotene, and cryptoxanthin in orange juice. The procedure includes extraction, saponification, and high-speed liquid chromatography. Limits of detection for the 3 carotenoids are 0.04, 0.02, and 0.04 μg/ml, respectively.

Determination of Carotenoids in Yellow Maize, the Effects of Saponification and Food Preparations

2008 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muzhingi ◽  
Yeum ◽  
Russell ◽  
Johnson ◽  
Qin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Carotenoid Concentration ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
C30 Column ◽  
Β Carotene ◽  
Food Consumed

Maize is an important staple food consumed by millions of people in many countries. Yellow maize naturally contains carotenoids which not only provide provitamin A carotenoids but also xanthophylls, which are known to be important for eye health. This study was aimed at 1) evaluating the effect of saponification during extraction of yellow maize carotenoids, 2) determining the major carotenoids in 36 genotypes of yellow maize by high-performance liquid chromatography with a C30 column, and 3) determining the effect of cooking on the carotenoid content of yellow maize. The major carotenoids in yellow maize were identified as all-trans lutein, cis-isomers of lutein, all-trans zeaxanthin, α- and β-cryptoxanthin, all-trans β-carotene, 9-cis β-carotene, and 13-cis β-carotene. Our results indicated that carotenoid extraction without saponification showed a significantly higher yield than that obtained using saponification. Results of the current study indicate that yellow maize is a good source of provitamin A carotenoids and xanthophylls. Cooking by boiling yellow maize at 100° C for 30 minutes increased the carotenoid concentration, while baking at 450° F for 25 minutes decreased the carotenoid concentrations by almost 70% as compared to the uncooked yellow maize flour.

scholarly journals Relationship of serum carotenoids and retinol with anaemia among pre-school children in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1863-1869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Cong Khan ◽  
Phan Van Huan ◽  
Nguyen Van Nhien ◽  
Le Danh Tuyen ◽  
Saskia de Pee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
School Children ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Mountainous Region ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Serum Carotenoids ◽  
Β Carotene

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize the relationship between serum carotenoids, retinol and anaemia among pre-school children.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted in two groups: anaemic and non-anaemic. Serum levels of retinol, α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin were measured in the study subjects.SettingSix rural communes of Dinh Hoa, a rural and mountainous district in Thai Nguyen Province, in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam.SubjectsA total of 682 pre-school children, aged 12–72 months, were recruited.ResultsGeometric mean serum concentrations of carotenoids (μmol/l) were 0·056 for α-carotene, 0·161 for β-carotene, 0·145 for β-cryptoxanthin, 0·078 for lycopene, 0·388 for lutein and 0·075 for zeaxanthin. The mean levels of Hb and serum retinol were 108·8 g/l and 1·02 μmol/l, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia and vitamin A deficiency was 53·7 % and 7·8 %, respectively. After adjusting for sex and stunting, serum retinol concentrations (μmol/l; OR = 2·06, 95 % CI 1·10, 3·86, P = 0·024) and total provitamin A carotenoids (μmol/l; OR = 1·52, 95 % CI 1·01, 2·28, P = 0·046) were independently associated with anaemia, but non-provitamin A carotenoids (μmol/l; OR = 0·93, 95 % CI 0·63, 1·37, P = 0·710) were not associated with anaemia.ConclusionsAmong pre-school children in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, the prevalences of vitamin A deficiency and anaemia are high, and serum retinol and provitamin A carotenoids are independently associated with anaemia. Further studies are needed to determine if increased consumption of provitamin A carotenoids will reduce anaemia among pre-school children.

scholarly journals Apocarotenoids: Emerging Roles in Mammals

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Earl H. Harrison ◽  
Loredana Quadro
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Plant Origin ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Β Carotene ◽  
Biological Actions

Apocarotenoids are cleavage products of C40 isoprenoid pigments, named carotenoids, synthesized exclusively by plants and microorganisms. The colors of flowers and fruits and the photosynthetic process are examples of the biological properties conferred by carotenoids to these organisms. Mammals do not synthesize carotenoids but obtain them from foods of plant origin. Apocarotenoids are generated upon enzymatic and nonenzymatic cleavage of the parent compounds both in plants and in the tissues of mammals that have ingested carotenoid-containing foods. The best-characterized apocarotenoids are retinoids (vitamin A and its derivatives), generated upon central oxidative cleavage of provitamin A carotenoids, mainly β-carotene. In addition to the well-known biological actions of vitamin A, it is becoming apparent that nonretinoid apocarotenoids also have the potential to regulate a broad spectrum of critical cellular functions, thus influencing mammalian health. This review discusses the current knowledge about the generation and biological activities of nonretinoid apocarotenoids in mammals.

scholarly journals Small quantities of carotenoid-rich tropical green leafy vegetables indigenous to Africa maintain vitamin A status in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (11) ◽  
pp. 1594-1601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Ejoh ◽  
Joseph T. Dever ◽  
Jordan P. Mills ◽  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Hibiscus Cannabinus ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mongolian Gerbils ◽  
Retinyl Acetate ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Β Carotene

Leafy vegetables are important sources of provitamin A carotenoids. Information on their ability to provide vitamin A is often misleading because of the methodology used to assess bioefficacy. Mongolian gerbils were used to evaluate the bioefficacy of provitamin A carotenoids in tropical leafy vegetables (i.e. Solanum nigrum, Moringa oleifera, Vernonia calvoana and Hibiscus cannabinus) that are indigenous to Africa. Gerbils (n 67) were vitamin A-depleted for 5 weeks. After a baseline kill (n 7), the gerbils were weight-matched and assigned to six treatment groups (n 10; four vegetable groups; negative and positive controls). For 4 weeks, the treatments included 35 nmol vitamin A (theoretical concentrations based on 100 % bioefficacy) in the form of vegetables or retinyl acetate. In addition to their diets, the control and vegetable groups received daily doses of oil, while the vitamin A group received retinyl acetate in oil matched to prior day intake. Serum and livers were analysed for vitamin A using HPLC. Serum retinol concentrations did not differ among groups, but total liver vitamin A of the vitamin A and vegetable groups were higher than that of the negative control group (P < 0·0001). Liver β-carotene 15,15′-monooxygenase-1 expression levels were determined for two vegetable groups and were similar to the positive and negative controls. Conversion factors for the different leafy vegetables were between 1·9 and 2·3 μg β-carotene equivalents to 1 μg retinol. Small quantities of these vegetables maintained vitamin A status in gerbils through efficient bioconversion of β-carotene to retinol.

scholarly journals Provitamin A-biofortified maize consumption increases serum xanthophylls and 13C-natural abundance of retinol in Zambian children

2017 ◽  
Vol 242 (15) ◽  
pp. 1508-1514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Sheftel ◽  
Bryan M Gannon ◽  
Christopher R Davis ◽  
Sherry A Tanumihardjo
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Natural Abundance ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Mongolian Gerbils ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Effectiveness Studies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Β Carotene

Plants that undergo C4 photosynthesis, such as maize, are enriched in the stable isotope of carbon (13C) compared with other dietary plants and foods. Consumption of maize that has been biofortified to contain elevated levels of provitamin A carotenoids (orange maize) increased the abundance of 13C in serum retinol of Mongolian gerbils. We evaluated this method in humans to determine if it has potential for further use in intervention effectiveness studies. A random subset of samples from a two-month randomized controlled feeding trial of rural three- to five-year old Zambian children were used to determine the impact of orange maize intake on serum carotenoid concentrations ( n = 88) and 13C-natural abundance in serum retinol ( n = 77). Concentrations of β-cryptoxanthin (a xanthophyll provitamin A carotenoid) and the dihydroxy xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin, which do not have vitamin A activity, were elevated in children consuming orange maize compared with those consuming a white maize control ( P < 0.001), while β-carotene was not different ( P > 0.3). Furthermore, 13C natural abundance was higher after two months’ intervention in the orange maize group compared with the white maize group ( P = 0.049). Predictions made from equations developed in the aforementioned gerbil study estimated that maize provided 11% (2–21%, 95% confidence interval) of the recent dietary vitamin A to these children. These results demonstrate that orange maize is efficacious at providing retinol to the vitamin A pool in children through provitamin A carotenoids, as monitored by the change in 13C enrichment, which was not reflected in serum β-carotene concentrations. Further effectiveness studies in countries who have adopted orange maize should consider determining differences in retinol 13C-enrichment among target groups in addition to profiling serum xanthophyll carotenoids with specific emphasis on zeaxanthin. Impact statement Maize biofortified with provitamin A carotenoids (orange) has been released in some African markets. Responsive and sensitive methods to evaluate dissemination effectiveness are needed. This study investigated methods to evaluate effectiveness of orange maize consumption using serum from Zambian children fed orange maize for two months. Many varieties of orange maize contain higher amounts of the xanthophyll carotenoids in addition to β-carotene compared with typical varieties. This study uniquely showed higher concentrations of the maize xanthophylls lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin in children who consumed orange maize compared with white. Furthermore, maize is a C4 plant and is therefore naturally enriched with 13C. Higher 13C was detected in the serum retinol of the orange maize consumers with no change in serum β-carotene concentration suggesting preferential bioconversion to retinol. The combined analyses of serum zeaxanthin specifically and 13C-natural abundance of retinol could prove useful in effectiveness studies between orange maize adopters and non-adopters.

scholarly journals Carotene and provitamin A content of vegetables sold in Viçosa, MG, Brazil, during spring and winter

2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pollyanna Costa Cardoso ◽  
Ceres Mattos Della Lucia ◽  
Paulo César Stringheta ◽  
José Benício Paes Chaves ◽  
Helena Maria Pinheiro-Sant'Ana
Keyword(s):  
High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Carotene Content ◽  
A Value ◽  
Β Carotene

This study investigated the α- and β-carotene content and provitamin A value of four leafy vegetables sold at local and street markets in Viçosa, MG, Brazil, in the spring and winter of 2002. Carotenoids were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. α-Carotene was detected in all samples sold during spring, but was only present in a few samples of smooth and curly lettuce and kale in winter. β-Carotene was found in marked quantities in all leafy vegetables analyzed. Duncan's test (α = 5%) showed significantly higher α-carotene content in curly lettuce and vitamin A value in large-leaved watercress in the spring. Mean β-carotene content and vitamin A value were 7544, 8751, 2584, 2792, 8193, and 5338 μg/100 g and 666, 760, 227, 238, 698, and 460 μg RAE/100 g in large-leaved and hydroponic watercress, smooth and curly lettuce, kale and spinach, respectively. All leafy vegetables analyzed represent important sources of provitamin A and supply an important part of the daily requirements of children and adults.

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