Applicability of <i>in Vitro</i> Models in Predicting the <i>in Vivo</i> Bioavailability of Lycopene and <i>β</i>-Carotene from Differently Processed Soups

Abstract

Presently, there is no clear consensus on the best approach to estimate carotenoid bioavailability. The best alternative would be to use human studies, but they are labour-intensive and expensive and can only be used to investigate a limited number of samples. Hence, a number of in vitro models have been developed to study pre-absorptive processes and factors affecting bioavailability. The question is, however, how well the results obtained by the various methods correlate to each other and to the in vivo situation. In the present paper, we have compared in vivo data from two human studies on differently processed soups containing carrots, tomato and broccoli, with results obtained by in vitro characterisation of the same soups. In vitro bioaccessibility was estimated by a static in vitro digestion investigating matrix release and micellarization of carotenoids and by uptake studies in a human intestinal cell line (Caco-2). In vivo data was obtained from clinical studies measuring total plasma carotenoid concentrations in human subjects after 4 weeks daily consumption of the soups. Comparison of the in vitro and in vivo results indicate that the combination of a two-step in vitro digestion and Caco-2 cells seems to be a useful tool for estimation of β-carotene bioaccessibility and screening of factors governing the release of β-carotene from this type of food. For lycopene the in vitro and in vivo results were less consistent, suggesting that reliable prediction of lycopene bioavailability might be more problematic.

Mind the gap—deficits in our knowledge of aspects impacting the bioavailability of phytochemicals and their metabolites—a position paper focusing on carotenoids and polyphenols

“…In addition, combining in vitro digestion models and human intestinal cells (e.g. Caco-2 cells with or without a layer of mucus-producing cells such as HT-29 MTX), carotenoid uptake [90][91][92] qualitatively and quantitatively correlated well with human data. Investigators using in vitro methods must consider how to adapt the digestion conditions according to the composition of the sample and/or to food components, seeking a balance between technical simplification and accuracy, considering the in vivo situation as reference.…”

Correlation between in vitro and in vivo data on food digestion. What can we predict with static in vitro digestion models?

“…These differences may be due to factors related to absorption and further transport, which can greatly vary between individuals. Similarly, in a study by Alminger et al (2012), bioaccessibility of lycopene and betacarotene from soups containing tomato, broccoli and carrots, was compared to human bioavailability (determined via plasma concentrations after several weeks of consumption), and found generally comparable results for beta-carotene (R=0.93) and 5-cis lycopene (R=0.87) for various types of soups. Interestingly, cellular uptake equally well correlated with in vivo data.…”

Antioxidant activity and bioaccessibility of size-different nanoemulsions for lycopene-enriched tomato extract

“…In vitro bioaccessibility of lycopene nanoemulsions was measured, using the procedures described in previous studies (Alminger et al, 2012;Colle, Buggenhout, Loey, & Hendrickx, 2010;Svelander et al, 2010), with minor modifications. Absorption of fat-soluble lycopene requires its release from the food matrix, and subsequent micelle formation in the digesta.…”