The bioaccessibility of the major carotenoids present in two commercial microalgal supplements in powder form was investigated through a standardized in vitro digestion method. The dried biomass of Arthrospira platensis contained β‐carotene (36.8 mg/100 g) and zeaxanthin (20.8 mg/100 g) as the main carotenoids as well as a high content of saturated fatty acids (61% of total fatty acids), whereas that of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was rich in lutein (37.8 mg/100 g) and had a high level of unsaturated fatty acids (65% of total fatty acids). In the case of the latter, lutein bioaccessibility was not statistically enhanced after the replacement of porcine bile extract with bovine bile extract in the in vitro digestion protocol and after the addition of coconut oil (17.8% as against to 19.2% and 19.2% vs. 18.5%, respectively). In contrast, the use of bovine bile extract along with co‐digestion with coconut oil significantly enhanced the bioaccessibility of zeaxanthin from A. platensis, reaching the highest bioaccessibility of 42.8%.

The present study investigated the carotenoid content and composition of several commercial eggs produced in different housing systems and the amount of macular xanthophylls that becomes available for absorption by the intestinal cells (bio-accessible) after the ingestion of boiled organic egg yolks. The highest total carotenoid content was observed in the case of organic egg yolks (7.02 mg/100 g). Carotenoid concentration varied not only between egg yolks obtained through different housing methods (free-range, barn and battery-cage), but also between egg yolks from the same housing method obtained by different producers. Except for organic egg yolks that had lutein and zeaxanthin as the major carotenoids, canthaxanthin was observed in all the investigated egg yolks to a different extent. Both lutein and zeaxanthin displayed a high bioaccessibility from boiled organic egg yolks, 86% and 91%, respectively).