435
vents LDL cholesterol by inhibition of oxidation. It delays lung aging and combats
arthritis. It is also used as a characteristic yellowish-orange colored pigment for
improving food and beverage color (Bartlett and Eperjesi 2008). Low lutein levels
in plasma have also been associated with an increased tendency to suffer from myocardial infarction (Street et al. 1994), while a high intake of lutein has been inversely
related with the risk of stroke (Ascherio et al. 1999).
Lutein offers a wide range of uses in human health and can serve as an ideal
candidate for “nanofood,” which may increase the bioavailability and photostability
of lutein. Traditionally in food technology, encapsulation techniques such as spray
drying and inclusion complexation are widely used to improve stability to oxidation
and to increase the dissolution rate in water of the active compound (Santos and
Meireles 2010).
Among carotenoids, beta carotene is the most commonly found substance in
dietary supplements. Foods rich in β-carotene are green leafy vegetables, orange
root vegetables, and yellow or orange fruits. Studies have found out that majority of
the vitamin A in our diet comes from carotenoids like β-Carotene. β-carotene can
also be manufactured as a synthetic compound in laboratories or also can be isolated
from different fungi or algal sources. β-Carotene acts as a precursor for the production of vitamin A in our bodies. Thus it is also referred to as provitamin A. It protects
cells from damage by inhibiting free radical and singlet oxygen-induced lipid peroxidation (Evans and Johnson 2010). It also has photo-protective properties, which
increase the minimal erythema dose (MED), and protects against sunburn development and photosuppression of the immune system (Fiedor and Burda 2014; GretherBeck et al. 2017).
Scleroderma is a condition characterized by a hardened skin. The condition also
affects other connective tissues in the body. It is reported that this condition might
arise when the levels of β-carotene in the body diminishes below the required quantity. Researchers pointed out that β-carotene products can help people with this
condition. β-carotene has been also studied for treating sun sensitivity. This condition called erythropoietic protoporphyria, causes a painful severe sensitivity to sunlight. However, consuming large amounts of β-carotene will protect people with
erythropoietic photoporphyria.
20.7 Conclusion
The pharmacological activities of various carotenoids have been shown to exhibit
great beneficial roles in humans for the prevention and management of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, oxidative stress, male fertility, neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, they are
incorporated in food and drinks to serve as nutraceuticals and nutritional
supplements.
20 Carotenoids as Functional Bioactive Compounds
vents LDL cholesterol by inhibition of oxidation. It delays lung aging and combats
arthritis. It is also used as a characteristic yellowish-orange colored pigment for
improving food and beverage color (Bartlett and Eperjesi 2008). Low lutein levels
in plasma have also been associated with an increased tendency to suffer from myocardial infarction (Street et al. 1994), while a high intake of lutein has been inversely
related with the risk of stroke (Ascherio et al. 1999).
Lutein offers a wide range of uses in human health and can serve as an ideal
candidate for “nanofood,” which may increase the bioavailability and photostability
of lutein. Traditionally in food technology, encapsulation techniques such as spray
drying and inclusion complexation are widely used to improve stability to oxidation
and to increase the dissolution rate in water of the active compound (Santos and
Meireles 2010).
Among carotenoids, beta carotene is the most commonly found substance in
dietary supplements. Foods rich in β-carotene are green leafy vegetables, orange
root vegetables, and yellow or orange fruits. Studies have found out that majority of
the vitamin A in our diet comes from carotenoids like β-Carotene. β-carotene can
also be manufactured as a synthetic compound in laboratories or also can be isolated
from different fungi or algal sources. β-Carotene acts as a precursor for the production of vitamin A in our bodies. Thus it is also referred to as provitamin A. It protects
cells from damage by inhibiting free radical and singlet oxygen-induced lipid peroxidation (Evans and Johnson 2010). It also has photo-protective properties, which
increase the minimal erythema dose (MED), and protects against sunburn development and photosuppression of the immune system (Fiedor and Burda 2014; GretherBeck et al. 2017).
Scleroderma is a condition characterized by a hardened skin. The condition also
affects other connective tissues in the body. It is reported that this condition might
arise when the levels of β-carotene in the body diminishes below the required quantity. Researchers pointed out that β-carotene products can help people with this
condition. β-carotene has been also studied for treating sun sensitivity. This condition called erythropoietic protoporphyria, causes a painful severe sensitivity to sunlight. However, consuming large amounts of β-carotene will protect people with
erythropoietic photoporphyria.
20.7 Conclusion
The pharmacological activities of various carotenoids have been shown to exhibit
great beneficial roles in humans for the prevention and management of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, oxidative stress, male fertility, neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, they are
incorporated in food and drinks to serve as nutraceuticals and nutritional
supplements.
20 Carotenoids as Functional Bioactive Compounds