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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Western Human Nutrition Research Center » Immunity and Disease Prevention Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #223987
Title: CONCENTRATIONS AND VARIABILITY OF ß-CRYPTOXANTHIN IN FRUITS

Author
item CHANG, JASMINE - UCD, FOOD SCIENCE
item Neidlinger, Terry
item Burri, Betty

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2008
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: ß-cryptoxanthin is a carotenoid with an unusual capacity to increase bone formation. Furthermore, a number of experimental and rodent studies have shown that ß-cryptoxanthin appears to have an anabolic effect on bone, increasing osteoblasts and decreasing osteoclasts (Uchiyama et al 2005, Yamaguchi 2006). Unlike most carotenoids, it is found primarily in orange fruits. Several studies have analyzed carotenoid content in selected fruits and vegetables (Scott et al 2005, Driskell 2007, Ribarova 2007), however, no studies have evaluated lot-to-lot and can-to-can differences of ß-cryptoxanthin content of commercially canned samples and compared them with fresh fruits. The composition of carotenoids in fruits and fruit vegetables is much complex and variable, with variation even in the principal carotenoids (Rodriguez-Amaya 2001). In this study, we hypothesized that canned mandarin oranges would be a useful dietary food source of ß-cryptoxanthin because canned fruit from the same lot would have low sample-to-sample variability. ß-cryptoxanthin content in fresh mandarin oranges was analyzed and compared with commercially canned mandarin oranges. We measured lot-to-lot and can-to-can differences of ß-cryptoxanthin content of the commercially canned mandarin orange samples. Samples were analyzed and compared using reversed-phase HPLC with diode array detection. Fresh, ripened samples and three brands of commercially canned mandarin oranges (Dole USA , Geisha USA, and Safeway U.S.A.) were purchased from local supermarkets in Davis, California, U.S.A. Concentration differences of ß-cryptoxanthin from lot-to-lot were between 7.1% to 23.12% and concentration differences of ß-cryptoxanthin from can-to-can were less than 6.64%. The finding of this study indicates that canned mandarin contains had similar amount of ß-cryptoxanthin within the same lot, and the ß-cryptoxanthin differences become larger when the can is from a different lot. The variability in fresh fruit was higher, as expected. In addition, we found that ß-cryptoxanthin concentration from canned mandarin is higher than from fresh mandarin fruits, which can further influence bioavailability and health benefits. In summary, we found that canned mandarin oranges are a good source of ß-cryptoxanthin: providing this carotenoid reliably, at high concentrations and with low variability.