Isolation of Carrot Chromoplasts and Assessment of Their Carotenoid Content and Bioaccessibility

The bioaccessibility (fraction of compounds released from the food matrix and available for absorption) and carotenoid content of carrot chromoplasts obtained through high-speed centrifugation using sucrose gradients were assessed. Three chromoplast bands were isolated, corresponding to sucrose grad...

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Main Authors: Ana M. Benítez-González, Lourdes Gómez-Gómez, Oussama Ahrazem, Patricia Esquivel, Carla M. Stinco, Antonio J. Meléndez-Martínez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1267
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author Ana M. Benítez-González
Lourdes Gómez-Gómez
Oussama Ahrazem
Patricia Esquivel
Carla M. Stinco
Antonio J. Meléndez-Martínez
author_facet Ana M. Benítez-González
Lourdes Gómez-Gómez
Oussama Ahrazem
Patricia Esquivel
Carla M. Stinco
Antonio J. Meléndez-Martínez
author_sort Ana M. Benítez-González
collection DOAJ
description The bioaccessibility (fraction of compounds released from the food matrix and available for absorption) and carotenoid content of carrot chromoplasts obtained through high-speed centrifugation using sucrose gradients were assessed. Three chromoplast bands were isolated, corresponding to sucrose gradients between 15 and 30%, 30 and 40%, and 40 and 50%. Total carotenoid levels increased ~2.8-fold when comparing the fractions of the bands of the lowest and highest sucrose gradients. The carotenoid profiles of the bands were similar. Phytoene and phytofluene accounted for approximately 3 and 4%, respectively, while ζ-carotene made up about 3%. Provitamin A carotenoids comprised about 85% of the total carotenoids in the respective fractions. Lutein content varied among fractions, with 1.61% in the 15/30% band and 0.77% in the 40/50% sucrose band. Similar micellar carotenoid profiles were also observed across fractions. α-carotene and β-carotene accounted for 8% and 0.2% of the total carotenoid content, respectively, while ζ-carotene constituted 19%. Lutein content in micelles ranged from 0.5% in the highest sucrose content fractions to 3.2% in the lowest. Phytoene and phytofluene were the predominant carotenoids in micelles. They accounted for 41.7% and 28.4%, respectively, together representing 70% of all carotenoids, with no differences among fractions. Colourless carotenoids were more readily incorporated into micelles, followed by ζ-carotene, lutein, and provitamin A carotenoids.
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spelling doaj-art-2461ddff8e4647e6aa643cef77617b9e2025-08-20T02:42:28ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-03-01306126710.3390/molecules30061267Isolation of Carrot Chromoplasts and Assessment of Their Carotenoid Content and BioaccessibilityAna M. Benítez-González0Lourdes Gómez-Gómez1Oussama Ahrazem2Patricia Esquivel3Carla M. Stinco4Antonio J. Meléndez-Martínez5Food Colour and Quality Laboratory, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainInstituto Botánico, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, SpainInstituto Botánico, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, SpainSchool of Food Technology, University of Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa RicaFood Colour and Quality Laboratory, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainFood Colour and Quality Laboratory, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainThe bioaccessibility (fraction of compounds released from the food matrix and available for absorption) and carotenoid content of carrot chromoplasts obtained through high-speed centrifugation using sucrose gradients were assessed. Three chromoplast bands were isolated, corresponding to sucrose gradients between 15 and 30%, 30 and 40%, and 40 and 50%. Total carotenoid levels increased ~2.8-fold when comparing the fractions of the bands of the lowest and highest sucrose gradients. The carotenoid profiles of the bands were similar. Phytoene and phytofluene accounted for approximately 3 and 4%, respectively, while ζ-carotene made up about 3%. Provitamin A carotenoids comprised about 85% of the total carotenoids in the respective fractions. Lutein content varied among fractions, with 1.61% in the 15/30% band and 0.77% in the 40/50% sucrose band. Similar micellar carotenoid profiles were also observed across fractions. α-carotene and β-carotene accounted for 8% and 0.2% of the total carotenoid content, respectively, while ζ-carotene constituted 19%. Lutein content in micelles ranged from 0.5% in the highest sucrose content fractions to 3.2% in the lowest. Phytoene and phytofluene were the predominant carotenoids in micelles. They accounted for 41.7% and 28.4%, respectively, together representing 70% of all carotenoids, with no differences among fractions. Colourless carotenoids were more readily incorporated into micelles, followed by ζ-carotene, lutein, and provitamin A carotenoids.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1267colourless carotenoidsphytoenephytoflueneplastidsprovitamin A carotenoids
spellingShingle Ana M. Benítez-González
Lourdes Gómez-Gómez
Oussama Ahrazem
Patricia Esquivel
Carla M. Stinco
Antonio J. Meléndez-Martínez
Isolation of Carrot Chromoplasts and Assessment of Their Carotenoid Content and Bioaccessibility
Molecules
colourless carotenoids
phytoene
phytofluene
plastids
provitamin A carotenoids
title Isolation of Carrot Chromoplasts and Assessment of Their Carotenoid Content and Bioaccessibility
title_full Isolation of Carrot Chromoplasts and Assessment of Their Carotenoid Content and Bioaccessibility
title_fullStr Isolation of Carrot Chromoplasts and Assessment of Their Carotenoid Content and Bioaccessibility
title_full_unstemmed Isolation of Carrot Chromoplasts and Assessment of Their Carotenoid Content and Bioaccessibility
title_short Isolation of Carrot Chromoplasts and Assessment of Their Carotenoid Content and Bioaccessibility
title_sort isolation of carrot chromoplasts and assessment of their carotenoid content and bioaccessibility
topic colourless carotenoids
phytoene
phytofluene
plastids
provitamin A carotenoids
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1267
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