The bioaccessibility of carotenoids impacts the design of functional foods

Skin Protection by Carotenoid Pigments

Sunlight, despite its benefits, can pose a threat to the skin, which is a natural protective barrier. Phototoxicity caused by overexposure, especially to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), results in burns, accelerates photoaging, and causes skin cancer formation. Natural substances of plant origin, i.e., polyphenols, flavonoids, and photosynthetic pigments, can protect the skin against the effects of radiation, acting not only as photoprotectors like natural filters but as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory remedies, alleviating the effects of photodamage to the skin. Plant-based formulations are gaining popularity as an attractive alternative to synthetic filters. Over the past 20 years, a large number of studies have been published to assess the photoprotective effects of natural plant products, primarily through their antioxidant, antimutagenic, and anti-immunosuppressive activities. This review selects the most important data on skin photodamage and photoprotective efficacy of selected plant carotenoid representatives from in vivo studies on animal models and humans, as well as in vitro experiments performed on fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines. Recent research on carotenoids associated with lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, liposomes, and micelles is reviewed. The focus was on collecting those nanomaterials that serve to improve the bioavailability and stability of carotenoids as natural antioxidants with photoprotective activity.

Changing Despicable Me: Potential replacement of azo dye yellow tartrazine for pequi carotenoids employing ionic liquids as high-performance extractors

Color is a crucial sensory attribute that guides consumer expectations. A high-performance pequi carotenoid extraction process was developed using ionic liquid-based ethanolic solutions and a factorial design strategy to search for a potential substitute for the artificial azo dye yellow tartrazine. All-trans-antheraxanthin was identified with HPLC-PAD-MSn for the first time in pequi samples. [BMIM][BF4] was the most efficient ionic liquid, and the maximization process condition was the solid-liquid ratio R(S/L) of 1:3, the co-solvent ratio R(IL/E) of 1:1 ([BMIM][BF4]: ethanol), and three cycles of extraction with 300 s each and yielded 107.90 μg carotenoids/g of dry matter. The ionic liquid-ethanolic solution recyclability was accomplished by freezing and precipitating with an average recovery of 79 %. In CIELAB parameters, pequi carotenoid extracted with [BMIM][BF4] was brighter and yellower than the artificial azo dye yellow tartrazine. A color change of 11.08 and a hue* difference of 1.26° were obtained. Furthermore, carotenoids extracted with [BMIM][BF4] showed antioxidant activity of 35.84 μmol of α-tocopherol. These findings suggest the potential of employing the pequi carotenoids to replace the artificial azo dye yellow tartrazine in foods for improved functional properties.

Designing Nutrition for Health-Incorporating Dietary By-Products into Poultry Feeds to Create Functional Foods with Insights into Health Benefits, Risks, Bioactive Compounds, Food Component Functionality and Safety Regulations

This review delves into the concept of nutrition by design, exploring the relationship between poultry production, the utilization of dietary by-products to create functional foods, and their impact on human health. Functional foods are defined as products that extend beyond their basic nutritional value, offering potential benefits in disease prevention and management. Various methods, including extraction, fermentation, enrichment, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, are employed to obtain bioactive compounds for these functional foods. This review also examines the innovative approach of enhancing livestock diets to create functional foods through animal-based methods. Bioactive compounds found in these functional foods, such as essential fatty acids, antioxidants, carotenoids, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive peptides, are highlighted for their potential in promoting well-being and mitigating chronic diseases. Additionally, the review explores the functionality of food components within these products, emphasizing the critical roles of bioaccessibility, bioactivity, and bioavailability in promoting health. The importance of considering key aspects in the design of enhanced poultry diets for functional food production is thoroughly reviewed. The safety of these foods through the establishment of regulations and guidelines was reviewed. It is concluded that the integration of nutrition by design principles empowers individuals to make informed choices that can prioritize their health and well-being. By incorporating functional foods rich in bioactive compounds, consumers can proactively take steps to prevent and manage health issues, ultimately contributing to a healthier society and lifestyle.

Bioaccessibility and bioactive potential of different phytochemical classes from nutraceuticals and functional foods

Nutraceuticals and functional foods are composed of especially complex matrices, with polyphenols, carotenoids, minerals, and vitamins, among others, being the main classes of phytochemicals involved in their bioactivities. Despite their wide use, further investigations are needed to certify the proper release of these phytochemicals into the gastrointestinal medium, where the bioaccessibility assay is one of the most frequently used method. The aim of this review was to gather and describe different methods that can be used to assess the bioaccessibility of nutraceuticals and functional foods, along with the most important factors that can impact this process. The link between simulated digestion testing of phytochemicals and their in vitro bioactivity is also discussed, with a special focus on the potential of developing nutraceuticals and functional foods from simple plant materials. The bioactive potential of certain classes of phytochemicals from nutraceuticals and functional foods is susceptible to different variations during the bioaccessibility assessment, with different factors contributing to this variability, namely the chemical composition and the nature of the matrix. Regardless of the high number of studies, the current methodology fails to assume correlations between bioaccessibility and bioactivity, and the findings of this review indicate a necessity for updated and standardized protocols.

More Than Pigments: The Potential of Astaxanthin and Bacterioruberin-Based Nanomedicines

Carotenoids are natural products regulated by the food sector, currently used as feed dyes and as antioxidants in dietary supplements and composing functional foods for human consumption. Of the nearly one thousand carotenoids described to date, only retinoids, derived from beta carotene, have the status of a drug and are regulated by the pharmaceutical sector. In this review, we address a novel field: the transformation of xanthophylls, particularly the highly marketed astaxanthin and the practically unknown bacterioruberin, in therapeutic agents by altering their pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and pharmacodynamics through their formulation as nanomedicines. The antioxidant activity of xanthophylls is mediated by routes different from those of the classical oral anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): remarkably, xanthophylls lack therapeutic activity but also lack toxicity. Formulated as nanomedicines, xanthophylls gain therapeutic activity by mechanisms other than increased bioavailability. Loaded into ad hoc tailored nanoparticles to protect their structure throughout storage and during gastrointestinal transit or skin penetration, xanthophylls can be targeted and delivered to selected inflamed cell groups, achieving a massive intracellular concentration after endocytosis of small doses of formulation. Most first reports showing the activities of oral and topical anti-inflammatory xanthophyll-based nanomedicines against chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and dry eye disease emerged between 2020 and 2023. Here we discuss in detail their preclinical performance, mostly targeted vesicular and polymeric nanoparticles, on cellular models and in vivo. The results, although preliminary, are auspicious enough to speculate upon their potential use for oral or topical administration in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Use of excipient emulsions for improving the bioaccessibility of antioxidants in tomato sauce

In this study, tomato sauces were prepared by adding different levels of emulsified oil (0, 5, 10, or 20 wt%) to tomato pomace. The effects of adding these excipient emulsions on the concentration, bioaccessibility, and bioactivity of the carotenoids and phenolics in the tomato sauces were then determined. The carotenoid and phenolic profiles were analyzed by HPLC and LC-MS/MS, respectively. The bioaccessibility values of the lycopene, lutein, and β-carotene were around 36-82%, 73-112%, and 67-94% for tomato sauces with excipient emulsions, respectively. In contrast, they were considerably lower for tomato sauces without excipient emulsions, being around 24-31%, 69-71%, and 45-62%, respectively. The TPC and TAC values of the tomato sauces with the excipient emulsions were significantly higher than those without. Considerably higher concentrations of carotenoids and phenolic compounds were detected in the tomato sauce samples containing the excipient emulsions. These results suggest that the presence of the oil droplets increased the extractability, stability, and bioaccessibility of the nutraceuticals in the tomato sauce.

Effects of dietary fat type and emulsification on carotenoid absorption: a randomized crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Although emerging evidence has suggested that the type and emulsification of dietary fat may be important to carotenoids absorption, these effects have not yet been validated in a human trial.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the effects of dietary fat type and emulsification on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of carotenoids from a carotenoids-rich salad.

METHODS

An identical salad was used for the in vitro and the human trial. This was paired with 28 g of one of the following four different fats: i) non-emulsified olive oil; ii) emulsified olive oil; (iv) non-emulsified coconut oil; v) emulsified coconut oil. The bioaccessibility of total carotenoids (TC) was assessed by a simulated in vitro digestion model. Sixteen subjects consumed salad with four test fats in random order, and plasma triglyceride and carotenoid (lutein, zeaxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene) concentrations were determined hourly for 10 hours following the consumption. The absorption of TC and individual carotenoids were evaluated by the positive incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of plasma carotenoid concentrations.

RESULTS

The bioaccessibility of TC was greater with olive oil (24.0%) than with coconut oil (14.9%), and with the oil being emulsified (23.5%) rather than non-emulsified (15.4%). Likewise, the positive iAUC_1-10h of TC, α-carotene and lycopene were 55.2%, 110.8% and 45.8%, respectively, higher with olive oil than with coconut oil. Emulsified fat induced 40.0% greater positive iAUC_1-10h of TC than non-emulsified fat.

CONCLUSIONS

The type and emulsification of dietary fat are both essential to the carotenoid absorption. Findings from this study may provide scientific support for designing excipient emulsions as potential dietary strategies to optimize the absorption of fat-soluble compounds.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

The present trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04323826), link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04323826.

Simultaneous Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Olea europaea L. Leaves and Healthy Seed Oils Using Pressurized Propane

Olive leaves (OL) are products of olive cultivation with a high commercial value because they contain valuable bioactive compounds. Chia and sesame seeds have a high functional value because of their attractive nutritional properties. When combined in the extraction process, the two products constitute a product of high quality. The use of pressurized propane in vegetable oil extraction is advantageous because it provides solvent-free oil. This study aimed to combine two high-quality products to obtain oils with a unique combination of attractive nutritional properties and high levels of bioactive compounds. The mass percentage yields of the OL extracts with chia and sesame oils were 23.4% and 24.8%, respectively. The fatty acid profiles of the pure oils and their respective OL-enriched oils were similar. There was an aggregation of the 35% and 32% (v/v) bioactive OL compounds in chia and sesame oils, respectively. OL oils exhibited superior antioxidant capacities. The induction times of the OL extracts with the sesame and chia oils increased by 73% and 4.4%, respectively. Incorporating OL active compounds in healthy edible vegetable oils using propane as a solvent promotes the reduction of lipid oxidation, improves the lipid profiles and health indices of the oils, and forms a product with attractive nutritional characteristics.

Unconventional Extraction of Total Non-Polar Carotenoids from Pumpkin Pulp and Their Nanoencapsulation

Pumpkin is considered a functional food with beneficial effects on human health due to the presence of interesting bioactives. In this research, the impact of unconventional ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction techniques on the recovery of total non-polar carotenoids from Cucurbita moschata pulp was investigated. A binary (hexane:isopropanol, 60:40 v/v) and a ternary (hexane:acetone:ethanol, 50:25:25 v/v/v) mixture were tested. The extracts were characterized for their antioxidant properties by in vitro assays, while the carotenoid profiling was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector. UAE with the binary mixture (30 min, 45 °C) was the most successful extracting technique, taking into consideration all analytical data and their correlations. In parallel, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were optimized for the encapsulation of the extract, using β-carotene as a reference compound. SLN, loaded with up to 1% β-carotene, had dimensions (~350 nm) compatible with increased intestinal absorption. Additionally, the ABTS ((2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay showed that the technological process did not change the antioxidant capacity of β-carotene. These SLN will be used to load an even higher percentage of the extract without affecting their dimensions due to its liquid nature and higher miscibility with the lipid with respect to the solid β-carotene.

Improving the Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Carotenoids by Means of Nanostructured Delivery Systems: A Comprehensive Review

Carotenoids are bioactive compounds provided by the diet playing a key role in maintaining human health. Therefore, they should be ingested daily in an adequate amount. However, even a varied and well-balanced diet does not guarantee an adequate intake, as both the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the compounds significantly affect their absorption. This review summarizes the main results achieved in improving the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of carotenoids by means of nanostructured delivery systems, discussing in detail the available lipid-based and biopolymeric nanocarriers at present, with a focus on their formulation and functional efficiency. Although the toxicity profile of these innovative delivery systems is not fully understood, especially for long-term intake, these systems are an effective and valuable approach to increase the availability of compounds of nutritional interest.

Mechanisms of carotenoid intestinal absorption and the regulation of dietary lipids: lipid transporter-mediated transintestinal epithelial pathways

Dietary lipids are key ingredients during cooking, processing, and seasoning of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables, playing vitals in affecting the absorption and utilization of carotenoids for achieving their health benefits. Besides, dietary lipids have also been extensively studied to construct various delivery systems for carotenoids, such as micro/nanoparticles, micro/nanoemulsions, and liposomes. Currently, the efficacies of these techniques on improving carotenoid bioavailability are often evaluated using the micellization rate or "bioaccessibility" based on in vitro models. However, recent studies have found that dietary lipids may also affect the carotenoid uptake via intestinal epithelial cells and the efflux of intracellular chyle particles via lipid transporters. An increasing number of studies reveal the varied impact of different dietary lipids on the absorption of different carotenoids and some lipids may even have an inhibitory effect. Consequently, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between the addition of dietary lipids and the intestinal absorption of carotenoid to fully understand the role of lipids during this process. This paper first introduces the intestinal absorption mechanism of carotenoids, including the effect of bile salts and lipases on mixed micelles, the types and regulation of lipid transporters, intracellular metabolizing enzymes, and the efflux process of chyle particles. Then, the regulatory mechanism of dietary lipids during intestinal carotenoid absorption is further discussed. Finally, the importance of selecting the dietary lipids for the absorption and utilization of different carotenoids and the design of an efficient delivery carrier are emphasized. This review provides suggestions for precise dietary carotenoid supplementation and offere an important reference for constructing efficient transport carriers for liposoluble nutrients.

Characterization of carotenoids double-encapsulated and incorporate in functional stirred yogurt

Carrot industry processing outputs 50% waste from raw materials; this waste contains polyphenols and carotenoids, which are a significant natural source of pro-vitamin A. Also, yogurt's high consumption globally allows for designing a new functional product. So the goal is to enhance the functionality of fortified stirred yogurt by incorporating carotenoid beads. The carotenoids were extracted from carrot waste using ultrasonication. Then nanoemulsion carotenoids incorporating with alginate to produce beads by extrusion technique. Measurement of carotenoid stability to nanoemulsion and beads. Manufactured five treatments of orange-flavored stirred yogurt and investigated its physicochemical properties, LAB survival, viscosity, and sensory acceptability. Findings – Carrot waste extract had about 44.75 ± 3.15 mg/g of β-carotene. The mean particle size of the nanoemulsion decreased with the increasing carotenoid addition (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) of carrot waste extract. The mean diameters of the alginate beads with nanoemulsions were 1.498 ± 0.245, 1.654 ± 0.310, and 1.792 ± 0.454 mm, respectively. The highest chemical stability of carotenoids showed with the alginate beads after Storage at 55°C to 14 days, compared with free or nanoemulsion carotenoids. Yogurt's physicochemical properties, viscosity, and LAB count improve when double-encapsulated carotenoids are added. Carotenoid double-encapsulation appeared to have a high ability to protect carotenoids from degradation and the ability to be applied in dairy and pharmaceutical products. Also, the resultant stirred yogurt with carotenoids-loaded beads gave carotenoids high stability and sensory acceptability.

Medium Chain Triglycerides Promote the Uptake of β-Carotene in O/W Emulsions via Intestinal Transporter SR-B1 in Caco-2 Cells

This study aimed to elucidate the impacts of carrier oil types (long chain triglycerides (LCT), medium chain triglycerides (MCT), and orange oil (indigestible oil)) on the micellization and cellular uptake of β-carotene (BC) formulated in O/W emulsions, with an emphasis on the role of intestinal transporters. The micellization and cellular uptake of BC in the gastrointestinal tract were evaluated via an in vitro digestion model and a Caco-2 cell monolayer. And the interactions between lipids and intestinal transporters were monitored by nontargeted lipidomics, RT-PCR, and Western blot. The BC micellization rates followed a decreasing trend in emulsions: corn oil (69.47 ± 4.19%) > MCT (22.22 ± 0.89%) > orange oil (11.01 ± 2.86%), whereas the cellular uptake rate of BC was significantly higher in MCT emulsion (56.30 ± 20.13%) than in corn oil emulsion (14.01 ± 1.04%, p < 0.05). The knockdown of SR-B1 led to a 31.63% loss of BC cellular uptake from MCT micelles but had no effect on corn oil micelles. Lipidomics and transporter analysis revealed that TG (10:0/10:0/12:0) and TG (10:0/12:0/12:0) might be the fingerprint lipids that promoted the cellular absorption of BC-MCT micelles via stimulating the mRNA expression of SR-B1.

Effects of mono- and di-glycerides/phospholipids (MDG/PL) on the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients in a protein-based emulsion system

Lipophilic nutrients are known to have relatively poor absorption, thus limiting their bioaccessibility. Consequently, researchers in food and pharmaceutical areas are exploring different techniques to promote the efficient delivery of lipophilic nutrients. The effects of two polar lipids, namely mono-, di-glycerides (MDG) and lecithin (PL), on the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients were investigated in this study with a protein-based emulsion model system. During the emulsion preparation and formation, the incorporation of MDG/PL was found to benefit the dissolution and stabilization of lipophilic nutrients, such as lutein, and could also modify the construction of the emulsion surface. An in vitro digestion study showed that the use of MDG/PL could significantly increase the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients [lutein, vitamin E, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] by 13.52%, 186.90%, and 36.17% in a protein-based emulsion system. The use of MDG and PL decreased the interfacial tension in all the samples: protein only 20.65 mN m^-1, protein-PL 6.47 mN m^-1, and protein-MDG/PL 4.23 mN m^-1, as well as 12.11 mN m^-1, 1.26 mN m^-1 and 1.16 mN m^-1 with the presence of bile salts. Caco-2 cell culture results showed that, with the application of MDG/PL, the absorption rate of micelles was higher than that in the other groups and this resulted in a 70% absorption increase for lutein. Therefore, MDG/PL can improve the lipophilic nutrient absorption via promoting the affinity of formed micelles to the enterocytes of the small intestine. This study exhibited the effectiveness of MDG/PL on improving the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients in a protein-based emulsion system mimicking the digestion and absorption fate of breast milk in an infant's gastric intestinal tract, thus suggesting that MDG/PL can be used as a technical pathway to improve the absorption of lipophilic nutrients.

Carotenoid Recovery from Tomato Processing By-Products through Green Chemistry

The recovery of bioactive compounds from agro-industry-derived by-products sustains circular economy principles by encouraging maximized recycling and minimized waste. Tomato processing by-products are abundant in carotenoids, which have several health-promoting properties, and their reintegration into functional food products represents a major interest for scientists and manufacturers. In the present study, carotenoids were recovered from tomato processing by-products based on the principles of green chemistry by using generally recognized as safe (GRAS) solvents, freeze-drying as pretreatment, and ultrasound in the recovery procedure. Spectrophotometric measurements and HPLC were used to identify and quantify total and individual carotenoids from the extracts. The highest values for lycopene (1324.89 µg/g dw) were obtained when ethyl lactate was applied as a solvent, followed by ethyl acetate with slightly smaller differences (1313.54 µg/g dw). The extracts obtained from freeze-dried samples presented significantly lower amounts of lycopene, indicating that carotenoids are highly susceptible to degradation during lyophilization. Flaxseed, grape seed, and hempseed oils were enriched with carotenoids and their rheological measurements showed favorable viscoelastic properties, especially hempseed and flaxseed oil, with viscosity under 50 mPa·s. Considering the results and the economic perspective of carotenoid recovery from tomato processing by-products, ethyl acetate is suitable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly for carotenoid extraction.

Effect of cooking duration on carotenoid content, digestion and potential absorption efficiencies among refined semolina and whole wheat pasta products

The bioaccessibility of carotenoids varies among different foods due to factors such as food matrix composition and type or extent of processing. Hence it is important to understand the extent to which these factors influence carotenoid bioaccessibility after the consumption and digestion of food. This study evaluated the carotenoid content, micellization efficiency, digestive stability, antioxidant activity and bioaccessibility of carotenoids as impacted by wheat cultivar and cooking duration among whole wheat flour (WWF) and refined semolina (RS) pasta. WWF and RS pasta were processed from three durum wheat cultivars (AAC Spitfire, CDC Precision, and Transcend) and cooked to al dente (Al), fully cooked (FCT) or overcooked (OC). The study showed that the wheat cultivar and cooking duration were significant functions of bioaccessible lutein in RS samples while only the cultivar influenced the bioaccessibility of zeaxanthin and lutein in WWF samples. In both WWF and RS, the effect of the cultivar on the bioaccessibility of lutein and zeaxanthin was similar and was as follows: Transcend > CDC Precision > AAC Spitfire. Cooking to Al significantly caused an increment in bioaccessible lutein in RS samples regardless of the wheat cultivar. This influence of cooking duration (Al > FCT > OC) was inversely related to the lutein concentrations in undigested pasta (OC = FCT > Al). DPPH scavenging activity among WWF samples was about 2-fold greater or more than that of RS samples regardless of the cultivar or cooking duration before and after digestion. Our data suggest that the effect of wheat cultivar and cooking duration modulates the bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of RS and WWF pasta products.

Insights on the Bioaccessibility of Natural Pigments from Diatom Chaetoceros calcitrans

This study aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility of carotenoids and chlorophylls from the biomass of microalgae Chaetoceros calcitrans. The samples were submitted to an in vitro digestion protocol, and the compounds were determined by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. A total of 13 compounds were identified in all tests. After in vitro digestion, the relative bioaccessibility of carotenoids and chlorophylls ranged from 4 to 58%. The qualitative profile of carotenoids reflected the initial sample, with all-E-zeaxanthin (57.2%) being the most bioaccessible compound, followed by all-E-neochrome (31.26%), the latter being reported for the first time in the micellar fraction. On the other hand, among the chlorophylls only pheophytin a (15.01%) was bioaccessible. Furthermore, a chlorophyll derivative (Hydroxypheophytin a’) was formed after in vitro digestion. Considering all compounds, xanthophylls (12.03%) and chlorophylls (12.22%) were significantly (p < 0.05) more bioaccessible than carotenes (11.22%). Finally, the considerable individual bioaccessibilities found, especially for zeaxanthin, demonstrate the bioactive potential of this bioresource. However, the large reduction in the totality of compounds after in vitro digestion suggests that additional technological strategies should be explored in the future to increase the efficiency of micellarization and enhance its bioactive effects.

Comparative Evaluation on the Bioaccessibility of Citrus Fruit Carotenoids In Vitro Based on Different Intake Patterns

The intake pattern has a great impact on the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from citrus fruit. Here, we compared the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from fresh citrus fruit (FC), fresh citrus juice (FCJ), and not-from-concentrate citrus juice (NCJ) and analyzed the influencing factors. The results demonstrated that particle size, viscosity, and some active components of the samples during digestion are potential factors affecting the bioaccessibility of carotenoids. The total carotenoid bioaccessibility of NCJ (31.45 ± 2.58%) was significantly higher than that of FC (8.11 ± 0.43%) and FCJ (12.43 ± 0.49%). This work demonstrates that NCJ is an appropriate intake pattern to improve the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from citrus fruit. The findings also suggest that adjustment of food intake patterns is an effective way to improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Simultaneous extraction of sunflower oil and active compounds from olive leaves using pressurized propane

Sunflower is grown in different parts of the world and oil from the grain has many uses, including cosmetics and food. Olive leaves are rich in active compounds with potential for industrial use. The simultaneous extraction of raw materials is an economical and sustainable way of using the same extraction process to obtain products with high added value. The aim of this work was to promote the incorporation of bioactive compounds from olive leaves in sunflower oil by two extraction techniques: pressurized propane (PRO) and Soxhlet (SOX) and to evaluate the increase in oxidative stability and antioxidant activity of oils. The techniques used were useful in producing sunflower oil incorporating olive leaf extract (SFO + OLE); 4.3% 1-octacosanol and 5.8% 1-triacontanol were incorporated, and β-sitosterol increased by at least 90%. Also, SFO + OLE showed an increase in the induction time of 2.7 and 3.7 h compared to SFO for the PRO and SOX methods, respectively. The profile of fatty acids was maintained, with the majority in all samples being oleic and linoleic acids. Consequently, with this procedure is possible to produce SFO + OLE with better antioxidant activity and better nutritional characteristics using PRO and SOX. The scaled-up of the simultaneous extraction process via pressurized propane is economically viable according to the process simulation and economic evaluation.

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The extraction of sunflower seeds and olive leaves is carried out with propane.

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Conventional and pressurized techniques are used for simultaneous extraction.

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The components of the olive leaf extract promote the improvement of sunflower oil.

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Simultaneous extraction promotes oil with greater resistance to oxidation.

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The extraction in structured bed is economically viable.

Investigation of brewer’s spent yeast as a bio-vehicle for encapsulation of natural colorants from pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) peels

Brewer’s spent yeast (BSY) Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been currently explored as a bio-vehicle for encapsulation of bioactive compounds and as a delivery system. The main objectives of this work were...

Effects of dietary fats on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of carotenoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies and randomized controlled trials

CONTEXT

Dietary fats are one of the well-known stimulators of carotenoid absorption, but the effects of the quantity and the type of dietary fats on carotenoid absorption have not yet been studied systematically.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to analyze data from both in vitro studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to examine the effects of dietary fats on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of carotenoids.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search of 5 databases (Scopus, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library) was conducted.

STUDY SELECTION

In vitro studies and RCTs were selected according to the PICOS criteria and were reviewed independently by 2 investigators.

DATE EXTRACTION

Key study characteristics from the eligible in vitro studies and RCTs were extracted independently by 2 investigators using a standardized table.

RESULTS

A total of 27 in vitro studies and 12 RCTs were included. The meta-regression of in vitro studies showed that the bioaccessibility of carotenoids, except for lycopene, was positively associated with the concentration of dietary fats. The meta-analysis of RCTs showed that the bioavailability of carotenoids was enhanced when a higher quantity of dietary fats was co-consumed. Moreover, fats rich in unsaturated fatty acids resulted in greater improvement in carotenoid bioavailability (SMD 0.90; 95%CI, 0.69-1.11) as compared with fats rich in saturated fatty acids (SMD 0.27; 95%CI, 0.08-0.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Co-consuming dietary fats, particularly those rich in unsaturated fatty acids, with carotenoid-rich foods can improve the absorption of carotenoids.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration number CRD42020188539.

Whey protein isolate-gum Acacia Maillard conjugates as emulsifiers for nutraceutical emulsions: Impact of glycation methods on physicochemical stability and in vitro bioaccessibility of β-carotene emulsions

The physicochemical stability and in vitro bioaccessibility of β-carotene emulsions stabilized by the whey protein isolate (WPI)-gum Acacia (GA) conjugates prepared by dry-heating (Con WPI (D)) and ultrasound (Con WPI (U)) Maillard reaction were investigated in this study. The conjugate-stabilized emulsions have a larger mean size than the WPI-stabilized emulsion. The stability of emulsions under freeze-thaw treatment, high ionic strength conditions, thermal treatment and pH conditions near the isoelectric point of WPI were improved by glycation. The chemical stability of β-carotene in emulsions was also enhanced by WPI-GA conjugates. The WPI-GA conjugate-stabilized emulsions have better stability for droplet aggregation during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion, which increased β-carotene bioaccessibility. However, the Con WPI (U)-stabilized emulsion shows poor thermal stability and lower β-carotene bioaccessibility than the Con WPI (D)-stabilized emulsion, which may be attributed to ultrasound-induced structural changes during the process of glycation.

In vitro assessment of polychlorinated biphenyl bioaccessibility in meat: Influence of fat content, cooking level and consumer age on consumer uptake

In a risk assessment perspective, this work aims to assess the bioaccessibility of PCBs in meat. A standardised in vitro static digestion protocol was set up and coupled with extraction, clean-up and GC × GC-ToF/MS multianalyte method to monitor the fate of PCBs in meat during digestion. Starting with spiked meat, PCB bioaccessibility in 11% fat medium-cooked meat varied in adults from 20.6% to 30.5% according to congeners. PCB bioaccessibility increased to 44.2-50.1% in 5% fat meat and decreased to 6.2-9.1% and to 14.6-19.4% in digestion conditions mimicking infants and elderly, respectively. Intense cooking also decreased PCB bioaccessibility to 18.0-26.7%. Bioaccessibility data obtained with spiked meat were validated with measurements carried out in incurred meat samples. Finally, mean uptake distributions are obtained from a modular Bayesian approach. These distributions feature a lower mode when the fat content is higher, the meat is well-done cooked, and the consumers are older.

Pintado M, Fernandes JC, Ramos ÓL. Novel Micro- and Nanocellulose-Based Delivery Systems for Liposoluble Compounds

Poor aqueous solubility of bioactive compounds is becoming a pronounced challenge in the development of bioactive formulations. Numerous liposoluble compounds have very interesting biological activities, but their low water solubility, stability, and bioavailability restrict their applications. To overcome these limitations there is a need to use enabling delivering strategies, which often demand new carrier materials. Cellulose and its micro- and nanostructures are promising carriers with unique features. In this context, this review describes the fast-growing field of micro- and nanocellulose based delivery systems with a focus on the release of liposoluble bioactive compounds. The state of research on this field is reviewed in this article, which also covers the chemistry, preparation, properties, and applications of micro- and nanocellulose based delivery systems. Although there are promising perspectives for introducing these materials into various fields, aspects of safety and toxicity must be revealed and are discussed in this review. The impact of gastrointestinal conditions on the systems and on the bioavailability of the bioactive compounds are also addressed in this review. This article helps to unveil the whole panorama of micro- and nanocellulose as delivery systems for liposoluble compounds, showing that these represent a great promise in a wide range of applications.

Bioaccessibility of microalgae-based carotenoids and their association with the lipid matrix

The composition of microalgae can contribute to nutritious and functional diets. Among the functional compounds, carotenoids are in focus since positive effects on human health have been established, which are in turn related to their bioaccessibility. In addition to essential nutrients, our hypothesis was that microalgae biomasses could be used as sources of bioaccessible carotenoids. Thus, this study determined for the first time the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from biomass of Scenedesmus bijuga and Chlorella sorokiniana and their possible relationship with the lipid composition of the matrix. The samples were submitted to in vitro digestion protocol, and carotenoids were determined by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. Individual bioaccessibility of carotenoids was ≥ 3.25%. In general, compounds in their cis conformation were more bioaccessible than trans; and total carotenes more than total xanthophylls. Twelve compounds were bioaccessible from the biomass of S. bijuga, and eight in C. sorokiniana. In S. bijuga, the bioaccessibility of total carotenoids was 7.30%, and the major bioaccessible carotenoids were 9-cis-β-carotene (43.78%), 9-cis-zeaxanthin (42.30%) followed by 9-cis-lutein (26.73%); while in C. sorokiniana, the total bioaccessibility was 8.03%, and 9-cis-β-carotene (26.18%), all-trans-β-carotene (13.56%), followed by 13-cis-lutein (10.71%) were the major compounds. Overall, the total content of lipids does not influence the bioaccessibility of total carotenoids. Still, the lipid composition, including structural characteristics such as degree of saturation and chain length of the fatty acid, impacts the promotion of individual bioaccessibility of carotenes and xanthophylls of microalgae. Finally, the results of this study can assist the development of microalgae-based functional food ingredients and products.

Bioaccessibility and Cellular Uptake of Carotenoids Extracted from Bactris gasipaes Fruit: Differences between Conventional and Ionic Liquid-Mediated Extraction

Currently, on an industrial scale, synthetic colorants are used in many fields, as well as those extracted with conventional organic solvents (COSs), leading to several environmental issues. Therefore, we developed a sustainable extraction and purification method mediated by ionic liquids (IL), which is considered an alternative high-performance replacement for COSs. Carotenoids are natural pigments with low bioaccessibility (BCT) and bioavailability (BV) but with huge importance to health. To investigate if the BCT and cellular uptake of the carotenoids are modified by the extraction method, we conducted a comparison assay between both extraction procedures (IL vs. COS). For this, we used the Amazonian fruit Bactris gasipaes, a rich source of pro-vitamin A carotenoids, to obtain the extract, which was emulsified and subjected to an in vitro digestion model followed by the Caco-2 cell absorption assay. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids using IL was better than those using COS (33.25%, and 26.84%, respectively). The cellular uptake of the carotenoids extracted with IL was 1.4-fold higher than those extracted using COS. Thus, IL may be a feasible alternative as extraction solvent in the food industry, replacing COS, since, in this study, no IL was present in the final extract.

Carotenoids in Milk and the Potential for Dairy Based Functional Foods

Carotenoids are a family of over 1100 known natural pigments synthesized by plants, algae, fungi and bacteria. Dietary intake of carotenoids is necessary for mammals as they cannot be synthesized in the body. In cows, the nature of the diet consumed strongly influences the composition of milk produced and this includes carotenoid concentration and profile. Fresh forage is the richest source of carotenoids for cows. The main carotenoids identified in forages are lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin and epilutein. Manipulating cow feed via carotenoid supplementation increases the carotenoid content of bovine milk. In humans, carotenoids have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and provitamin A activity. Lutein is a major carotenoid in human milk and the brain tissue of adults and infants. Lutein and zeaxanthin are linked to improved eye health and cognitive function. Traditionally for humans, fruit and vegetables have been the main source of carotenoid intake. Functional foods present an opportunity to incorporate these naturally occurring compounds into milk products for added health benefits, widening the range of dietary sources of carotenoids. We offer an overview of the literature to date on carotenoid-fortified dairy products and infant formula. This review will describe and summarize the key mechanisms by which the carotenoid profile of bovine milk can be manipulated. We present findings on the origin and role of carotenoids in bovine and human milk, outline factors that impact the carotenoid content of milk, evaluate carotenoid-fortified milk products and discuss the associated challenges, such as bioaccessibility and stability.

Differences in bioavailability and tissue accumulation efficiency of (all-E)- and (Z)-carotenoids: A comparative study

This study investigated the differences in bioavailability and tissue accumulation efficiency between all-E- and Z-isomer-rich carotenoids after oral administration to rats. Three commercially important carotenoids (lycopene, β-carotene, and lutein) were chosen for the study. For all carotenoids, feeding with Z-isomer-rich diets increased their concentrations in plasma and tissues at least similar to or more than the all-E-isomer-rich diets, e.g., in rats fed a Z-isomer-rich lycopene, the lycopene concentrations in the plasma and liver after the 2-week administration were respectively 6.2 and 11.6 times higher than those fed an all-E-isomer-rich diet. These results strongly indicate that carotenoid Z-isomers have higher bioavailability and tissue accumulation efficiency than the all-E-isomers. Moreover, diets rich in carotenoid Z-isomers significantly improved the total Z-isomer ratio in plasma and several tissues compared to the all-E-isomers. Since carotenoid Z-isomers potentially have higher antioxidant activity than the all-E-isomers, their accumulation in the body might bring remarkable health benefits.

Enriched (Z)-lycopene in Tomato Extract via Co-Extraction of Tomatoes and Foodstuffs Containing Z-isomerization-accelerating Compounds

The aim of this study was to promote the Z-isomerization of lycopene in its extraction process from tomato pulp by adding foodstuffs containing Z-isomerization-accelerating compounds. The addition of onion, broccoli, mustard, makonbu (Saccharina japonica), or shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) to the ethyl acetate extraction process significantly accelerated the Z-isomerization of lycopene. For example, when lycopene was extracted from tomato pulp at 70 °C without foodstuffs, the total Z-isomer ratio of lycopene in the extract was 38.4 ± 0.5%, whereas when onion, broccoli, mustard, makonbu, and shiitake mushroom were added to the process and the extraction was performed using the same procedure, the total Z-isomer ratios significantly increased to 53.6 ± 0.4, 47.9 ± 0.3, 48.2 ± 0.1, 41.5 ± 0.9, and 42.0 ± 1.2%, respectively. Since the above foodstuffs contain large amounts of carotenoid Z-isomerization-accelerating catalysts, i.e., polysulfides, isothiocyanates, or iodine, those components would promote Z-isomerization of lycopene in the extraction process. Since lycopene Z-isomers potentially have higher bioavailability and biological effects than the all-E-isomer, lycopene extraction with foodstuffs having a Z-isomerization-promoting effect in ethyl acetate should enhance the health benefits of tomato extracts.

Carotenoid absorption in rats fed with vacuum-fried papaya chips depends on processed food microstructure associated with saturated and unsaturated oils

Many studies indicate that food matrix microstructure and type of dietary oil or fat play a key role in carotenoid absorption. Therefore, this work was designed to highlight the relationship between processed food microstructure and carotenoid absorption. This study aimed to evaluate the consumption of a carotenoid-rich fruit snack on lipid profile, glycemia and especially on carotenoid absorption/bioconversion in Wistar rats. Animals were fed with mixtures based on vacuum-fried papaya chips with either soy oil (PC-S) or palm oil (PC-P) during 7 days, receiving 0.29 mg lycopene/kg/day and 0.35 mg total carotenoids/kg/day. Lycopene and retinoids were analyzed in plasma and liver of rats by HPLC-DAD. Results showed that the consumption of mixtures based on papaya chips did not affect the lipid profile or glycemia in rat plasma, regardless the type of oil. Wide-field and confocal microscopy analyses of food matrix helped to understand why lycopene accumulation in the liver was higher (p < 0.05) in rats fed with PC-P (0.442 µg/g liver) than in those fed with PC-S (0.291 µg/g liver). A better dissolution of crystalloid lycopene was found in PC-P. Conversely, a higher bioconversion of provitamin A carotenoids was observed for soy products. The effect of type of oil was underlined by epifluorescence microscopy of papaya mixtures showing homogeneous and small lipid droplets for soy products. These results showed that PC-S could be recommanded as a healthy snack, being a source of provitamin A carotenoids and bioavailable lycopene in a diversified diet.

A Brief Overview of Dietary Zeaxanthin Occurrence and Bioaccessibility

As it exhibits no provitamin A activity, the dietary intake of zeaxanthin is not considered essential. However, its contribution to ocular health has long been acknowledged. Numerous publications emphasize the importance of zeaxanthin alongside lutein in ocular diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration which constitute an important health concern, especially among the elderly. Considering that the average dietary ratio of lutein to zeaxanthin favors the first, more bioaccessible food sources of zeaxanthin that can hinder the development and progression of the above-mentioned disorders are of great interest. In this paper, a brief overview of the more recent state of knowledge as regards dietary sources together with their respective zeaxanthin bioaccessibility assessed through a standardized in vitro digestion method was provided.

Nutraceutical nanodelivery; an insight into the bioaccessibility/bioavailability of different bioactive compounds loaded within nanocarriers

Nanofoods is a current concept that is based on the application of nanotechnologies in the preparation of safe foods, with superior nutritional and sensory characteristics, and capable of providing multiple health benefits. In line with the principles of this concept, food scientists have focused on developing new types of nano biosystems that can contribute to increasing the bioavailability of bioactive compounds used in food fortification. Numerous research teams have investigated the main factors limiting oral bioavailability including: bioaccessibility, absorption and transformation of bioactive compounds and bioactive-loaded nanocarriers. The physicochemical processes involved in the factors limiting oral bioavailability have been extensively studied, such asthe release, solubility and interaction of bioactive compounds and nanocarriers during food digestion, transport mechanisms of bioactive compounds and nanoparticles through intestinal epithelial cells as well as the chemical and biochemical transformations in phase I and phase II reactions. In this comprehensive review, the physicochemical processes involved in the bioaccessibility/bioavailability of different encapsulated bioactive compounds, that play an important role in human health, will be explained including polyphenols, phytosterols, carotenoids, vitamins and minerals. In particular, the mechanisms involved in the cellular uptake of bioactive-loaded nanocarriers including transcellular transport (diffusion, endocytosis, pinocytosis, transcytosis, phagocytosis), paracellular transport (through the "tight junctions" between epithelial cells), and the active transport of bioactive compounds under the action of membrane transporters are highlighted.