Abstract
1. 1. The solubility of β-carotene (non-polar solute) and retinol (polar solute) into aqueous solutions containing mixed micelles has been studied in vitro using experimental conditions simulating those present in the lumen of the human small intestine during fat digestion with respect to bile salts, lipids, Na +, pH and temperature. 2. 2. Altering the glycine to taurine conjugated bile salt ratio had no effect on the solubility of either β-carotene or retinol. Altering the ratio of tri- to dihydroxy bile salts changed the solubility of both solutes; the higher the ratio the lower the solubility. The solubility of retinol in the systems studied was approximately 7–9-fold greater than that of β-carotene. 3. 3. Increasing the concentration of Na + greatly increased the solubility of β-carotene but only slightly increased the solubility of retinol. 4. 4. In a mixture containing both solutes, no competition for solubilization occurred. 5. 5. pH values between 4.5 and 7 had no effect on the solubility of either solute but at pH values below 4.5, the solubility of both solutes markedly decreased.
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