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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 #124677
Title: BIOAVAILABILITY AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF LYCOPENE FROM WATERMELON TO BE PRESENTED AT THE 30TH US AND JAPAN NATURAL RESOURCES PROTEIN RESOURCES PANEL MEETING.

Author
item Edwards, Alison
item Wiley, Eugene
item BROWN, ELLEN - USDA:ARS:BHNRC:PL
item Collins, Julie
item Perkins Veazie, Penelope
item Baker, Robert
item Clevidence, Beverly

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/27/2001
Publication Date: 8/27/2003
Citation: Edwards, A.J., Wiley, E.R., Brown, E., Collins, J.K., Perkins Veazie, P.M., Baker, R.A., Clevidence, B.A. Bioavailability and antioxidant potential of lycopene from watermelon to be presented at the 30th us and japan natural resources protein resources panel meeting.. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: None

Technical Abstract: Watermelon is one of few foods that naturally contains large amounts of lycopene (LYC), a carotenoid with antioxidant capacity and potential health benefits. The present study examined the bioavailability of LYC from fresh-frozen watermelon juice and the potential of this LYC to prevent oxidative DNA damage. Twenty- three (12 F, 11 M) healthy, non-smoking adults (36-69 y) participated in a 19-week randomized cross-over study. Subjects completed three "treatment" (Tmt) periods, each 3 weeks in length and preceded by "washout" periods (low LYC diets). All subjects consumed the W-20 Tmt (20 mg LYC/d from watermelon juice) and the C-0 Tmt (control, no juice), and either the W-40 Tmt (40 mg LYC/d from watermelon juice) or the T-20 Tmt (20 mg LYC/d from tomato juice). Blood and fecal samples were collected at baseline and weekly during each Tmt period. Treatments were fed along with a controlled background diet designed to maintain body weight. Meals contained 34% fat and provided a stable intake of other carotenoids. Concentrations of all-trans and cis isomers of LYC and beta carotene were determined in juice, plasma, and colonocytes by analytical HPLC. This study will demonstrate whether consumption of watermelon can change plasma or cellular (colonocyte) concentrations of LYC and confer potential antioxidant benefits.