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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) » Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center » Food Components and Health Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #156719

Title: LABELED BETA-CAROTENE AND LUTEIN IN PLASMA AFTER CONSUMPTION OF ISOTOPICALLY-LABELED KALE

Author
item Novotny, Janet
item KURILICH, ANNE - DAIRY MANAGEMENT
item Britz, Steven
item Clevidence, Beverly

Submitted to: Carotenoid Gordon Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2004
Publication Date: 1/15/2004
Citation: Novotny Dura, J., Kurilich, A.C., Britz, S.J., Clevidence, B.A. 2004. Labeled beta-carotene and lutein in plasma after consumption of isotopically-labeled kale. Carotenoid Gordon Conference.

Interpretive Summary: none

Technical Abstract: To investigate the bioavailability of carotenoids from a green, leafy vegetable, isotopically-labeled kale was produced and used in a human feeding trial. Kale was chosen because of its high content of both beta-carotene and lutein. The kale was grown in a sealed chamber in the presence of 13C-carbon dioxide (99% enrichment) to produce fully labeled plants. After harvest, the blanched kale leaves (400 grams as a single dose) were ingested by volunteers with 30 grams of safflower oil. The kale dose supplied approximately 20 mg of both beta-carotene and lutein, both of which contained greater than 98% 13C. Serial plasma samples were collected for 4 weeks following the dose. Plasma 13C-beta-carotene, 13C-lutein, and 13C-retinol were determined by LC-MS. The concentration of 13C-lutein in plasma of subjects was substantially greater than that of 13C-beta-carotene. In addition, the 13C-lutein observed in subjects' plasma represented a greater proportion of the endogenous plasma pool that did the 13C-beta-carotene. The isotopic labeling of kale combined with its use in a human feeding trial has provided a new way to examine the comparative bioavailability of beta-carotene and lutein from green, leafy vegetables.