Polygalacturonase treatment affects carotenoid absorption from veggie juice

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of polygalacturonase (PG) treatment on carotenoid absorption upon digestion of HPH-treated combined peach and carrot juice (CJ) with or without the presence of lipids. Results showed that PG treatment reduced median particle diameter (D-50) and viscosity of CJ, and increased total carotenoid bioaccessibility by 41%. In the presence of emulsion, the bioaccessibility of carotenoids was higher and it was not significantly affected by PG treatment. Xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) had higher bioaccessibility than the more lipophilic carotenes (beta-carotene and alpha-carotene); also, uptake in Caco-2 cells and transport of lutein and zeaxanthin were higher than for beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. Individual carotenoids bioaccessibility was negatively correlated with their transport. All together data showed digestion and absorption processes were two independent processes: factors improving carotenoid bioaccessibility did not necessarily affect their bioavailability.

Automated summary

The effects of polygalacturonase (PG) treatment on carotenoid absorption upon digestion of combined peach and carrot juice (CJ) were investigated. The results showed that PG treatment reduced particle diameter and viscosity of CJ, and increased total carotenoid bioaccessibility. The presence of emulsion did not significantly affect the bioaccessibility of carotenoids, and xanthophylls had higher bioaccessibility than carotenes.