Carotenoids are promising dietary supplements to human population due to its potential nutraceutical benefits. Their stability in food system is a big concern for food industry. In this study, stability of b-cryptoxanthin (b-CRX), a yellow colored pro-vitamin A xanthophyll, extracted from a previously isolated bacterium Kocuria marina DAGII, was studied under different processing conditions by first-order linear regression analysis and two-way ANOVA. The results indicated that the b-CRX resisted thermal treatments up to 508C with degradation rate constants (k) of 0.3731-0.8661 h
21, thermal death times (D values) of 6.1715-2.6586 h, a z value of 169.58C, an activation energy (E a ) of 13:27 kJ=mol, enthalpy ðDHÞ and entropy of activation (DS) of 11:80 kJ=mol and 20:2145 kJ=mol K, respectively, over the temperature range of 25-80 C. The resulting positive Gibbs free energy change (DG) indicated the non-spontaneous nature of the degradation reaction. Neutral to basic pH was favorable for the b-CRX processing. Light induced degradation was high ð83:14%Þ resulting into complete degradation of the b-CRX. Furthermore, addition of metallic ions significantly affected the b-CRX stability, however, it was stable in presence of Cu 21 , K 1 , oxidant ðH 2 O 2 Þ and reductant ðNa 2 SO 3 Þ. Till date there has been no detailed report on the degradation kinetics of b-CRX, obtained from microbial source. Hence considering all the tested parameters, this study is significant for using the extracted bacterial b-CRX as a dietary supplement.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSb-CRX is a bioactive compound having great potential as a dietary supplement because of its therapeutic and immune-enhancing properties, especially the provitamin A activity, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. But, the stability of b-CRX during food processing is a big concern due to the presence of polyunsaturated chains of conjugated double bonds. Thus, the present research work explores the stability of b-CRX, extracted from Kocuria marina DAGII, under different selected parameters that are important for processing of food. This study gives an idea about the effective b-CRX remaining after it is being exposed to high temperature, acidic pH, light and oxidizing environment. Results indicate the favorable conditions that should be maintained during the b-CRX processing for industrial application. Assessment of the chemical kinetics and application of the mathematical model will also provide information for designing an optimum process so that minimum degradation of b-CRX takes place.