Bioavailability of β-carotene (βC) from purple carrots is the same as typical orange carrots while high-βC carrots increase βC stores in Mongolian gerbils(Meriones unguiculatus)

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency is a worldwide public health problem. Biofortifying existing sources of β-carotene (βC) and increasing dietary βC could help combat the issue. Two studies were performed to investigate the relative βC bioavailability of a βC supplement to purple, high-βC orange, and typical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of nutrition 2006-08, Vol.96 (2), p.258-267
Main Authors: Dosti, Mandy Porter, Mills, Jordan P., Simon, Philipp W., Tanumihardjo, Sherry A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal models
anthocyanins
beta-carotene
Biofortification
Biological and medical sciences
Carrots
color
dietary supplements
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gerbils
liver
Meriones unguiculatus
nutrient availability
nutrient content
nutrient reserves
nutritional status
nutritive value
phenolic compounds
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
Vitamin A
β-Carotene
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Summary:Vitamin A (VA) deficiency is a worldwide public health problem. Biofortifying existing sources of β-carotene (βC) and increasing dietary βC could help combat the issue. Two studies were performed to investigate the relative βC bioavailability of a βC supplement to purple, high-βC orange, and typical orange carrots using Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). In study 1, which used a traditional bioavailability design, gerbils (n32) received a diet containing orange, purple, or white carrot powder, or white carrot powder +a βC supplement. In study 2, which included βC-biofortified carrots, gerbils (n 39) received orange, high-βC orange, purple, or white carrot powder in their diet. Both studies lasted 21 d and the gerbils were killed to determine the effect of carrot type or supplement on serum and liver βC, α-carotene, and VA concentrations. Liver stores of βC or VA in the gerbils did not differ between orange and purple carrot diets when equal amounts of βC from each of the diets were consumed (P>0·05). Both the orange and purple carrot diet resulted in higher liver VA compared with the supplement (P
ISSN:0007-1145
1475-2662
DOI:10.1079/BJN20061562