ARS | Publication request: Dermal carotenoids as measured by resonance Raman spectroscopy as a biomarker of response to a fruit/vegetable intervention study

Submitted to: Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 14, 2011
Publication Date: March 29, 2012
Citation: Jahns, L.A., Whigham Grendell, L.D., Mayne, S., Cartmel, B., Ermakov, I., Gellermann, W. 2012. Dermal carotenoids as measured by resonance Raman spectroscopy as a biomarker of response to a fruit/vegetable intervention study. Experimental Biology. 26:131.3.

Technical Abstract: Dermal carotenoid status may have utility as a biomarker for vegetable and fruit consumption. Resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) is a valid, non-invasive method to assess dermal carotenoids as a biomarker of usual vegetable and fruit intake, but has not been evaluated in response to a whole-diet intervention. Thirteen outpatient subjects who reported a mean intake of 16 mg total carotenoids/day followed a depletion diet (0.76 mg/d) for 6 weeks, and then consumed a controlled repletion diet based upon the Dietary Guidelines for Americans that contained an average of 62 mg carotenoid/d for 8 weeks. RRS measures of the palm were taken at least 2x week during depletion and 5x week during the repletion phase. To model depletion and repletion, the Glimmix procedure in SAS was used and included a linear term for the depletion phase, linear and quadratic terms for the repletion phase, and subject as a random effect. Subjects’ RRS scores decreased by 35 ±12.5% (p<0.001) during depletion and increased by 380 ±180.0% (p<0.001) during repletion. Depletion and repletion slopes did not differ between subjects (p>0.55), despite there being a broad range of baseline values (49% CV). No subject achieved a maximal value during the 8-week repletion period. RRS is a non-invasive method that shows great promise as an objective biomarker of response to changes in consumption of carotenoid-rich foods by individuals.