27236
document
Enhanced bioavailability of zeaxanthin in a milk-based formulation of wolfberry ( Gou Qi Zi ; Fructus barbarum L. ) . The carotenoid zeaxanthin is concentrated within the macula . Increased macular zeaxanthin is suggested to lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration . The small red berry , wolfberry ( Fructus barbarum L. ; Gou Qi Zi and Kei Tze ) , is one of the richest natural sources of zeaxanthin . However , carotenoid bioavailability is low , and food-based products with enhanced bioavailability are of interest . The present study investigated zeaxanthin bioavailability from three wolfberry formulations . Berries were homogenised in hot ( 80 degrees C ) water , warm ( 40 degrees C ) skimmed milk and hot ( 80 degrees C ) skimmed milk , with freeze drying of each preparation into a powdered form . A zeaxanthin-standardised dose ( 15 mg ) of each was consumed , in randomised order , together with a standardised breakfast by twelve healthy , consenting subjects in a cross-over trial , with a 3-5-week washout period between treatments . Blood samples were taken via a venous cannula immediately before ( fasting ) and 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 and 10 h post-ingestion . Zeaxanthin concentration in the triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein fraction of plasma was measured by HPLC . Results showed that triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein zeaxanthin peaked at 6 h post-ingestion for all formulations . Zeaxanthin bioavailability from the hot milk formulation was significantly higher ( P < 0.001 ) than from the others . Mean area under the curve ( n 12 ) results were 9.73 ( sem 2.45 ) , 3.24 ( sem 0.72 ) and 3.14 ( sem 1.09 ) nmol x h/l for the hot milk , warm milk and hot water formulations , respectively . Results showed clearly that homogenisation of wolfberry in hot skimmed milk results in a formulation that has a 3-fold enhanced bioavailability of zeaxanthin compared with both the 'classical ' hot water and warm skimmed milk treatment of the berries .
27237
Intervention_Pharmacological
zeaxanthin
27238
Intervention_Pharmacological
zeaxanthin
27239
Intervention_Pharmacological
zeaxanthin
27240
Intervention_Pharmacological
zeaxanthin .
27241
Intervention_Pharmacological
zeaxanthin
27242
Intervention_Pharmacological
zeaxanthin-standardised dose
27243
Intervention_Pharmacological
Zeaxanthin
27244
Intervention_Pharmacological
zeaxanthin
27245
Intervention_Pharmacological
Zeaxanthin
27246
Intervention_Pharmacological
zeaxanthin
27247
Outcome_Other
Enhanced bioavailability of zeaxanthin
27248
Outcome_Physical
risk of age-related macular degeneration .
27249
Outcome_Physical
carotenoid bioavailability
27250
Outcome_Physical
bioavailability
27251
Outcome_Physical
zeaxanthin bioavailability
27252
Outcome_Other
Zeaxanthin concentration
27253
Outcome_Other
HPLC .
27254
Outcome_Other
triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein zeaxanthin peaked
27255
Outcome_Other
Mean area under the curve
27256
Participant_Sample-size
twelve
27257
Participant_Condition
healthy