10 Analytical Protocols in the Measurement …
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determined at 480 nm using an extinction coefficient of 2500 at the 1% level. To
determine the bioavailability of carotenoids, a single dose (134, 33, 328 mg/rat,
corresponding to 200 μM of β-carotene, astaxanthin, and lutein) of S. platensis or
H. pluvialis or B. braunii biomass solubilized in olive oil was administered by intubations to the stomach of rats (n = 25). Each group was divided into five subgroups
(n = 5/subgroup) to measure the time-course response of carotenoids in plasma
and tissues for 9 h. The results showed peak levels in plasma, liver, and eyes at 2,
4, and 6 h, respectively, and the authors concluded that microalgae can be a good
source of carotenoids of high bioavailability and nutraceutical value (Ranga Rao et al.
2010). Ranga Rao and contributors (2013) administered 200 μM equivalent of βcarotene, astaxanthin, and lutein from Spirulina platensis, Haematococcus pluvialis,
and Botryococcus braunii biomass dispersed in olive oil to rats for a period of 15 days.
The levels of these carotenoids in the plasma, liver, and eyes were examined by high
performance liquid chromatography and also confirmed by mass spectroscopy. The
maximum peak levels (nmol/g) of β-carotene (615.61 ± 85.54), astaxanthin (896.51
± 101.76) and lutein (679.55 ± 74.08) were detected in the liver followed by the eyes
and plasma. Astaxanthin accumulation in rats fed with H. pluvialis was higher when
compared to S. platensis and B. braunii fed groups. In the H. pluvialis fed group, the
levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and
the lipid peroxidation levels were higher in the plasma and liver when compared to S.
platensis and B. braunii fed groups. These results indicate that astaxanthin from the
H. pluvialis group presents higher bioavailability and better antioxidant properties
compared to other carotenoids.
Gille et al. (2018) performed a comparative study that evaluated the in vitro digestion method and a feeding experiment with C57BL/6 J mice. Female C57BL/6 J mice
used in the study were 6–8 weeks old at the beginning of the feeding experiments.
All mice had ad libitum food and water access. A total of 10 groups were formed,
8 animals to each group. Health scores were assessed daily and weight every three
days. The experiment lasted 14 days. For carotenoid and retinoid determination,
30–50 mg of the liver and adipose tissue was weighed and homogenized briefly by
sonication for 5 s in 250 μL HBSS. Afterwards, 400 μL THF containing 0.25 mg
BHT/mL were added and the samples stored at -20 °C until used for carotenoid
extraction. Accumulation of carotenoids in liver and adipose tissue was detected and
ranged from 10 to 40%. The authors stated that data provided by these results can be
used as the basis for the potential application of the microalgae species C. vulgaris
and P. tricornutum in food products. The applied microalgae species might specially
serve as good sources for the xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin due to their good
bioaccessibility and accumulation in the liver of the mice. Moreover, it was stated
that mice might not be the best model to assess carotenoid and retinoid bioavailability
and metabolism. Therefore, further investigation is necessary especially in terms of
bioactivity and metabolism of fucoxanthin in humans.
Shibata and Hayakawa (2009) assessed the effect of a single ingestion of Chlorella
powder (CP) (3 or 6 g) in tablet form on serum lutein concentrations in humans
(n = 21). The total experiment period was 11 days and subjects maintained their
usual lifestyle (eating habits, exercise, sleep, and daily work) during the experiment;
237
determined at 480 nm using an extinction coefficient of 2500 at the 1% level. To
determine the bioavailability of carotenoids, a single dose (134, 33, 328 mg/rat,
corresponding to 200 μM of β-carotene, astaxanthin, and lutein) of S. platensis or
H. pluvialis or B. braunii biomass solubilized in olive oil was administered by intubations to the stomach of rats (n = 25). Each group was divided into five subgroups
(n = 5/subgroup) to measure the time-course response of carotenoids in plasma
and tissues for 9 h. The results showed peak levels in plasma, liver, and eyes at 2,
4, and 6 h, respectively, and the authors concluded that microalgae can be a good
source of carotenoids of high bioavailability and nutraceutical value (Ranga Rao et al.
2010). Ranga Rao and contributors (2013) administered 200 μM equivalent of βcarotene, astaxanthin, and lutein from Spirulina platensis, Haematococcus pluvialis,
and Botryococcus braunii biomass dispersed in olive oil to rats for a period of 15 days.
The levels of these carotenoids in the plasma, liver, and eyes were examined by high
performance liquid chromatography and also confirmed by mass spectroscopy. The
maximum peak levels (nmol/g) of β-carotene (615.61 ± 85.54), astaxanthin (896.51
± 101.76) and lutein (679.55 ± 74.08) were detected in the liver followed by the eyes
and plasma. Astaxanthin accumulation in rats fed with H. pluvialis was higher when
compared to S. platensis and B. braunii fed groups. In the H. pluvialis fed group, the
levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and
the lipid peroxidation levels were higher in the plasma and liver when compared to S.
platensis and B. braunii fed groups. These results indicate that astaxanthin from the
H. pluvialis group presents higher bioavailability and better antioxidant properties
compared to other carotenoids.
Gille et al. (2018) performed a comparative study that evaluated the in vitro digestion method and a feeding experiment with C57BL/6 J mice. Female C57BL/6 J mice
used in the study were 6–8 weeks old at the beginning of the feeding experiments.
All mice had ad libitum food and water access. A total of 10 groups were formed,
8 animals to each group. Health scores were assessed daily and weight every three
days. The experiment lasted 14 days. For carotenoid and retinoid determination,
30–50 mg of the liver and adipose tissue was weighed and homogenized briefly by
sonication for 5 s in 250 μL HBSS. Afterwards, 400 μL THF containing 0.25 mg
BHT/mL were added and the samples stored at -20 °C until used for carotenoid
extraction. Accumulation of carotenoids in liver and adipose tissue was detected and
ranged from 10 to 40%. The authors stated that data provided by these results can be
used as the basis for the potential application of the microalgae species C. vulgaris
and P. tricornutum in food products. The applied microalgae species might specially
serve as good sources for the xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin due to their good
bioaccessibility and accumulation in the liver of the mice. Moreover, it was stated
that mice might not be the best model to assess carotenoid and retinoid bioavailability
and metabolism. Therefore, further investigation is necessary especially in terms of
bioactivity and metabolism of fucoxanthin in humans.
Shibata and Hayakawa (2009) assessed the effect of a single ingestion of Chlorella
powder (CP) (3 or 6 g) in tablet form on serum lutein concentrations in humans
(n = 21). The total experiment period was 11 days and subjects maintained their
usual lifestyle (eating habits, exercise, sleep, and daily work) during the experiment;