Changes in beta-carotene levels by long-term administration of natural beta-carotene derived from Dunaliella bardawil in humans

• Published in: Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology 1994, Vol.40(5), pp.421-430
• Main Authors: Morinobu, T. (Osaka Medical Coll., Takatsuki (Japan)), Tamai, H, Murata, T, Manago, M, Takenaka, H, Hayashi, K, Mino, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 9-cis β-carotene; ADMINISTRACION; ADMINISTRATION; Adult; ALGAE; all-trans β-carotene; beta Carotene; Biological Availability; Blood Platelets - metabolism; CAROTENOIDE; CAROTENOIDES; CAROTENOIDS; Carotenoids - administration & dosage; Carotenoids - blood; Carotenoids - pharmacokinetics; Chlorophyta - chemistry; CONCENTRACION; CONCENTRATING; CONCENTRATION; Dunaliella Bardawil; Erythrocytes - metabolism; HOMBRES; HOMME; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Male; MEN; MONOCITOS; MONOCYTE; MONOCYTES; mononuclear cells; PLATELETS; Prealbumin - metabolism; PRIMATE; PRIMATES; RETINOL; Retinol-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; THROMBOCYTE; TOCOFEROLES; TOCOPHEROL; TOCOPHEROLS; TROMBOCITOS; Vitamin A - blood; Vitamin E - blood; α-tocopherol
• ISSN: 0301-4800; 1881-7742
• DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.40.421

Long-term administration of a β-carotene preparation de-rived from Dunaliella bardawil, a β-carotene-rich algae, was studied in healthy young male volunteers. The daily administration of 60mg of the β-carotene preparation (30mg of all-trans β-carotene and 30mg of 9-cis β-carotene) was performed and β-carotene concentrations were deter-mined in the plasma, red blood cells (RBC), platelets (PLT), and mononuclear cells (MN). The all-trans β-carotene level increased four-, two-, and threefold the baseline in plasma, PLT, and MN, respectively. Basal levels of 9-cis β-carotene in plasma, PLT, and MN were low and found as one-tenth, one-fifth, and one-fifth of all-trans β-carotene, which increased three-, two-, and 1.5-fold the baseline, respectively. Plasma and RBC α-tocopherol levels were not changed by the intake of β-carotene. No side effects or toxicities were documented in any of the subjects during the administration period. In conclusion, the bioavailability of β-carotene derived from Dunaliella bardawil was preferential for all-trans β-carotene, although a small amount of the 9-cis form was detected in the plasma and blood cells.