Twice the amount of α-carotene isolated from carrots is as effective as β-carotene in maintaining the vitamin A status of Mongolian gerbils

59Citations
Citations of this article
35Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

The vitamin A (VA) value of carotenoids from fruits and vegetables is affected by many factors. This study determined the VA value of α-carotene isolated from carrots compared with β-carotene and retinyl acetate supplements fed to Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Gerbils (n = 38) were fed a VA-free diet for 4 wk. At baseline, 6 gerbils were killed to determine liver VA. Gerbils were divided into 3 treatment groups (n = 9/group) and given 35, 35, or 17.5 nmol retinyl acetate, α-carotene or β-carotene, respectively, in 2 divided doses 5 h apart each day. The remaining 5 gerbils received oil vehicle. Gerbils were killed after 3 wk of supplementation. Serum samples and livers were collected and analyzed for VA. Liver extracts were subsequently saponified to quantify α-retinol. Serum retinol concentrations did not differ among the groups. Liver retinyl palmitate concentrations were significantly higher in the retinyl acetate treatment group (0.198 ± 0.051 μmol/g; P < 0.05) than in all other groups. The α- and β-carotene treatments resulted in similar retinyl palmitate concentrations, i.e., 0.110 ± 0.026 and 0.109 ± 0.051 μmol/g, respectively, which did not differ from the concentrations in gerbils killed at baseline (0.123 ± 0.024 μmol/g). The oil group had significantly less retinyl palmitate (0.061 ± 0.029 μmol/g; P < 0.05) than all other groups. α-Retinol was detected in livers of the α-carotene group (0.062 ± 0.013 μmol/g). Thus, twice the amount of purified α-carotene maintained VA status as well as β-carotene in VA-depleted gerbils. Conversion factors were ∼5.5 μg α-carotene or ∼2.8 μg β-carotene to 1 μg retinol. © 2005 American Society for Nutrition.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Tanumihardjo, S. A., & Howe, J. A. (2005). Twice the amount of α-carotene isolated from carrots is as effective as β-carotene in maintaining the vitamin A status of Mongolian gerbils. Journal of Nutrition, 135(11), 2622–2626. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/135.11.2622

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free