Carotenoid Content of Commonly Consumed Herbs and Assessment of Their Bioaccessibility Using an In Vitro Digestion Model

Abstract

Herbs are a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals such as carotenoids, which are known to exert various positive biological effects. However, there is very limited information in the literature regarding the content and bioavailability of carotenoids from commonly consumed herbs. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were first, to determine the carotenoid content of eight herbs namely basil (Ocimum basilicum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), dill (Anethum graveolens), mint (Metha L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), sage (Salvia officinalis), and tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.); and second, to assess carotenoid bioaccessibility from these herbs using a simulated human in vitro digestion model. Carotenoid bioaccessibility is defined as the amount of carotenoids transferred to micelles after digestion when compared with the original amount present in the food. The content of individual carotenoids varied significantly among the herbs tested. Carotenoid bioaccessibility varied from 0 to 42.8%. Basil and coriander, and their respective micelles, contained the highest levels of beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein + zeaxanthin. Our findings show that herbs are rich sources of carotenoids and that these foods can significantly contribute to the intake of bioaccessible carotenoids.

Effects of Petroselinum crispum and Coriandrum sativum on Oral Cadmium-induced Micronucleus Formation in Mice

“…Many bioactive phytochemicals have been previously identified including flavonoids such as apiin and luteolin and carotenoids in Pc (Karimi, 2012;Daly et al, 2010), and catechol, salicylic acid, glycitin, pyrogallol, gentisic acid, protocatechiuic acid, quinic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, and chlorogenic acid in Cs (Wangensteen et al, 2004;de Almeida Melo et al, 2005;Bajpai et al, 2005). Many of these are phenolic compounds that have been demonstrated as potential treatments for diverse physiological pathologies.…”

Parsley and immunomodulation

“…One of the widely used vegetal species in various nations' medicine is parsley (Petroselinum crispum), which has remedial effects as a powerful diuretic agent [1,2], an abortifacient [3][4][5] and an expectorant [6,7]. Parsley is a native herb of the central Mediterranean region (southern Italy, Algeria and Tunisia), which is in the Apiaceae family, and is a species of Petroselinum [8].…”

“…Daly et al observed bioactive phytochemicals, including carotenoids, in parsley [6]. Carotenoids were shown to be associated with a low risk of several human chronic disorders including age-related macular degeneration and certain cancers.…”

Effects of Refrigeration Storage on the Ascorbic Acid (VIT C) Content of Pear- Amla Based Ready-To-Serve (RTS) Beverages

“…It is seasonal fruit and rich in phelonics. The phenolic compounds are useful for preventing some diseases like cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases and carotenoids avoid age-related macular degeneration (Scalbert and Williamson, 2000;Daly, et al, 2010). Vitamin C is useful for reducing the risk of several cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases (Harrison and May, 2009).…”