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Published on: July 5, 2017
Polygalacturonase treatment affects carotenoid absorption from veggie juice
Jianing Liu1, Jinfeng Bi2, Xuan Liu2
1Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China; Food Quality and Design Group, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Polygalacturonase (PG) treatment enhances carotenoid absorption from peach and carrot juice, increasing total carotenoid bioaccessibility by 41%. However, improved digestion does not always lead to better bioavailability.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Enzymology
Background:
- Carotenoids are vital plant pigments with antioxidant properties.
- Optimizing carotenoid absorption from juice-based matrices remains a challenge.
- High-pressure homogenization (HPH) affects juice structure and nutrient accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of polygalacturonase (PG) on carotenoid absorption from HPH-treated peach and carrot juice.
- To assess the influence of lipids and PG on carotenoid bioaccessibility and bioavailability.
- To differentiate between carotenoid digestion (bioaccessibility) and absorption (bioavailability).
Main Methods:
- Combined peach and carrot juice (CJ) was treated with HPH.
- PG enzyme treatment was applied to CJ, with and without lipid emulsion.
- Carotenoid bioaccessibility was measured through in vitro digestion.
- Carotenoid uptake and transport were assessed using Caco-2 cell models.
Main Results:
- PG treatment reduced CJ particle size and viscosity, increasing total carotenoid bioaccessibility by 41%.
- Lipid presence enhanced carotenoid bioaccessibility, with no significant effect from PG.
- Xanthophylls (lutein, zeaxanthin) showed higher bioaccessibility and Caco-2 cell uptake than carotenes (β-carotene, α-carotene).
- Individual carotenoid bioaccessibility was inversely correlated with their transport.
Conclusions:
- PG treatment improves carotenoid bioaccessibility in fruit and vegetable juices.
- Digestion (bioaccessibility) and absorption (bioavailability) are distinct processes.
- Factors enhancing carotenoid bioaccessibility may not proportionally increase bioavailability.

