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Research Communication

Xanthophyll Epoxides, Unlike ß-Carotene Monoepoxides, Are Not Detectibly Absorbed by Humans^{1 ,2}

Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011

³To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: abarua{at}iastate.edu.

Increased intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Epoxycarotenoids are widely distributed in nature and constitute major dietary carotenoids in a number of fruits and vegetables. Previous studies have shown that ß-carotene 5,6-epoxide was absorbed well by humans, and was much more active than ß-carotene in inducing the differentiation of NB4 cells. Xanthophyll epoxides such as neoxanthin, violaxanthin and lutein 5,6-epoxide, are more abundant than epoxy-hydrocarbon carotenes in a number of vegetables and fruits that humans consume. To determine whether xanthophyll epoxides are also absorbed by humans, lutein 5,6-epoxide (taraxanthin) and zeaxanthin 5,6,5'6'-diepoxide (violaxanthin) were chemically prepared, dissolved in corn oil and orally administered to three human subjects. Analysis of plasma for carotenoids within 9 h after a single oral dose of either violaxanthin or taraxanthin failed to show any violaxanthin, taraxanthin or any of their metabolites.

KEY WORDS: • violaxanthin • lutein • lutein 5,6-epoxide • lutein esters • humans

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