Identification, Quantification, and Relative Concentrations of Carotenoids and Their Metabolites in Human Milk and Serum

Abstract

Thirty-four carotenoids, including 13 geometrical isomers and eight metabolites, in breast milk and serum of three lactating mothers have been separated, identified, quantified, and compared by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-photodiode array (PDA) detection-mass spectrometry (MS). Among the metabolites were two oxidation products of lycopene and four of lutein/ zeaxanthin. In addition, two metabolites of lutein, formed as a result of dehydration of this dihydroxycarotenoid under acidic conditions similar to those of the stomach, have also been identified in plasma and breast milk. The oxidative metabolites of lycopene with a novel five-membered-ring end group have been identified as epimeric 2,6-cyclolycopene-1,5-diols by comparison of their HPLC-UV/visible-MS profiles with those of fully characterized (1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy) synthetic compounds. The HPLC procedures employed also detected vitamin A, two forms of vitamin E (gamma- and alpha-tocopherol), and two non-carotenoid food components, i.e., piperine and caffeine, in serum and breast milk.

A comparison of lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in formula and human milk samples from Northern Ireland mothers

“…Concentrations of lutein in human milk are reported to be two to three times higher than those of b-carotene, whereas the comparative concentrations in mothers' blood are approximately equal (Khachik et al, 1997). This observation suggests that lutein may be secreted into milk rather than being acquired by passive diffusion as the other carotenoids appear to be (Canfield et al, 1998;Macias & Schwiegert, 2001).…”

Effect of carotenoid supplementation on plasma carotenoids, inflammation and visual development in preterm infants

“…Plasma carotenoid concentrations significantly decline in formula-fed infants immediately following birth compared with their breast-fed counterparts. [17][18][19] Recently, several small studies have approached issues of carotenoid bioavailability 20,21 and putative anti-oxidant effects 16 in preterm newborns. We report the first comprehensive, randomized controlled trial designed to assess feasibility and potential benefits of supplementing preterm infant formulas with the carotenoids lutein, lycopene and b-carotene.…”

Chemoprevention by the Oxygenated Carotenoid β‐Cryptoxanthin of N‐Methylnitrosourea‐induced Colon Carcinogenesis in F344 Rats

“…17,18) A possible mechanism for the anticarcinogenic potential of plant carotenoids is their antioxidant functions (scavenging free radicals and quenching singlet oxygen), which are associated with lowered DNA damage, diminished membrane lipid peroxidation and inhibition of malignant transformation in vitro. 19) An oxygenated carotenoid, β-cryptoxanthin (hydroxy-β-carotene, βCx), is one of the major carotenoids in the blood, 6,[20][21][22][23] after β-carotene, lycopene and lutein, even though intake is far smaller (<200 µg/day) than that of the other carotenoids (>1,500 µg/day for each of β-carotene, lycopene and lutein). 5,24) βCx is enzymatically converted to retinol, which is involved in cell differentation, in the intestine and the liver, like β-and α-carotenes.…”