Casein-graft-dextran copolymer was produced using the Maillard reaction. The copolymer is molecularly soluble in neutral aqueous solution whereas beta-carotene is extremely insoluble. By the method of dialysis or evaporation then dispersing in water, the solubility of hydrophobic complex of casein and beta-carotene decreases whereas the solubility of dextran increases gradually, then nanopartic...

Carotenoids, which impart yellow, orange, and/or red colors to many fruits, have antioxidant health properties. A series of experiments were undertaken to establish horticultural relationships to carotenoids in watermelon and mango in cooperation with U.S. commodity boards. Watermelon was assayed to determine effects of germplasm, storage temperature, and fresh cut on lycopene and beta carotene...

Carotenoids, folate and vitamin C may contribute to the observed beneficial effects of increased vegetable intake. Currently, knowledge on the bioavailability of these compounds from vegetables is limited. We compared the efficacy of different vegetables, at the same level of intake (i.e. 300 g/d), in increasing plasma levels of carotenoids, folate and vitamin C and we investigated if disruptio...

This research aimed at evaluating four cultivars of Capsicum annuum L. with different nutrient sources to ascertain the source that would improve soil characteristic and promote accumulation carotenoids flavonoids in peppers. Four sources: poultry manure, pig goat nitrogen: phosphorus: potassium (NPK) were used for study. The experiment was conducted as a 4 × 5 Factorial Complete Randomiz...

Several large epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between elevated plasma carotenoid levels and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). One proposed mechanism for the beneficial effect of carotenoids is through functional modulation of potentially atherogenic processes associated with the vascular endothelium. To test this, we incubated confluent human aortic endothelial ce...

OBJECTIVE To examine the development of age-related cataract in a trial of beta carotene supplementation in men. DESIGN Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS Male US physicians aged 40 to 84 years (n = 22 071) were randomly assigned to receive either beta carotene (50 mg on alternate days) or placebo for 12 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Age-related cataract and extra...

The seasonal variation in the nutrient composition of Enhydra fluctuans and Marsilea quadrifolia, two edible semi-aquatic plants, was studied in order to promote their consumption as green leafy vegetables. Both plants had a high crude protein content throughout all harvesting seasons. Enhydra fluctuans had a low ash content and was a good source of beta-carotene (3.7 to 4.2 mg/100 g on a fresh...

We studied distribution of carotene in the various serum lipid fractions of carotenemic and noncarotenemic mdividuals. We found that the amount of carotene in each lipoprotein fraction is increased in the serum from carotenemic individuals, but that the relative increase is significant only in the low-density lipoprotein and high-densit)’ lipoprotein fractions. There was no significant differen...