Carotenoid Micellarization Research Articles

African Adansonia digitata fruit pulp (baobab) modifies provitamin A carotenoid bioaccessibility from composite pearl millet porridges.

Food-to-food fortification of staple cereal products using nutrient-dense plants shows promise to address multiple micronutrient deficiencies including vitamin A, iron and zinc in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is limited information on the potential interaction effects that such food-to-food fortified strategies may have on individual micronutrient bioavailability. The main objective of the current study was to investigate the impact of incorporating Adansonia digitata (baobab fruit pulp), a mineral-rich plant material, on the delivery of carotenoids from a composite cereal porridge. Formulations of native fruit/vegetable-cereal composites were screened for interactions which could influence both bioaccessibility and subsequent intestinal uptake of provitamin A carotenoids. Proportions of pearl millet flour and plant materials were dry blended to provide composite cereal porridges with total provitamin A carotenoid concentrations ranging from 3590.7 ± 23.4 to 3698.5 ± 26.5 μg/100g (fw) and baobab concentrations ranging from 0 to 25% (dw).While there were no significant differences in provitamin A carotenoid bioaccessibility from porridge formulations containing 5 or 15% baobab, inclusion of 25% baobab resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in bioaccessibility (13.3%) as compared to the control (23.8%). Despite the reduced bioaccessibility, 6h uptake efficiency of provitamin A carotenoids by Caco-2 human intestinal cells was not significantly altered by 25% baobab inclusion. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effects on carotenoid micellarization (bioaccessibility) observed with increased baobab addition may not ultimately limit the bioavailability of carotenoids.

Liberation and Micellarization of Carotenoids from Different Smoothies after Thermal and Ultrasound Treatments.

The consumption of a varied diet rich in fruit and vegetables helps prevent and treat certain chronic diseases. The development of smoothies based on derivatives from fruit and vegetables rich in bioactive compounds can help increase the consumption of these foods, and therefore, contribute to the prevention of various health problems. However, during the processing of the fruit and vegetable smoothies, these properties may change. The elaboration of smoothies is based on fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids: Carrot juice-papaya-mango (smoothie A) and carrot juice-pumpkin-mango (smoothie B). The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the application of different thermal technologies (mild and intensive heat treatment) and non-conventional technologies (ultrasound) on carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein and β-cryptoxantin) and determine the physiochemical parameters of derivatives from fruit and vegetable smoothies. In addition, the bioaccessibility of carotenoids is also evaluated through a process of in vitro simulated digestion. With regard to the bioaccessibility of the fruit and vegetable smoothies analyzed, a positive effect of temperature on liberation and micellarization was observed.

Increased release of carotenoids and delayed in vitro lipid digestion of high pressure homogenized tomato and pepper emulsions

Carotenoids are lipophilic compounds that are digested and absorbed along with lipids. Emulsions based on a mixture of plum tomato and red sweet pepper, with 5% or 10% rapeseed oil, were obtained by high pressure homogenization, and the concentration of carotenoids in the emulsion oil droplets was quantified. The fraction of lycopene and beta-carotene released from the plant matrix into the oil droplets was highest in the 10% emulsion, which had larger oil droplets than the 5% emulsion. Xanthophylls were easily released into oil droplets in both 5% and 10% emulsions. The results suggest that the release of carotenoids made available for intestinal absorption depends on carotenoid type and can be significantly improved by increasing the homogenization pressure and oil content. However, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion indicated the presence of constituents or structures in the emulsions, originating from tomato, that reduced pancreatic activity, which may delay micellarization and uptake of carotenoids.

Bile amount affects both the degree of micellarization and the hydrolysis extent of carotenoid esters during in vitro digestion.

Carotenoid esters are present in considerable amounts in most fruits, such as in citrus. Although the bioavailability of carotenoid esters is similar or even higher compared to that of free carotenoids, these molecules are generally detected only in the free form in human plasma, suggesting that hydrolysis of carotenoid esters occurs in vivo. However, the available in vitro digestion methods were not able to achieve satisfactory carotenoid ester hydrolysis so far. As bile salts play an essential role in the hydrolytic action of lipolytic enzymes from pancreatin, we evaluated the effect of increasing the bile extract/food ratio from 0.045 to 0.12 (g g-1) on the hydrolysis of β-cryptoxanthin esters from mandarin pulp during in vitro digestion. Additionally, considering the positive effect of lipids on carotenoid bioavailability, the impact of soybean oil addition on carotenoid ester hydrolysis was studied. Finally, bioaccessibility and recovery of 33 carotenoids were assessed by LC-DAD-MS. The hydrolysis extent of β-cryptoxanthin esters enhanced from 29% to 55% by increasing the bile extract/food ratio, but reduced respectively to 28% and 11% by the addition of 1% and 10% oil (p < 0.05). The bioaccessibility of overall carotenoids improved from 19% to 35% by increasing the bile extract/food ratio, along with that of (all-E)-β-carotene (from 19 to 31%) and total (all-E)-β-cryptoxanthin (17% to 49%). Soybean oil addition reduced carotenoid micellarization, regardless of the concentration (p < 0.05). Irrespective of the bile extract amount and oil addition, the bioaccessibility of carotenoids was inversely related to its hydrophobicity, with respect to the following ranking: free xanthophylls > carotenes ≥ xanthophyll esters. Altogether, these results indicate that increasing the bile extract amount is a simple and inexpensive option to improve carotenoid ester hydrolysis in in vitro digestion protocols. Additionally, the constant amounts of bile (and possibly enzymes) of static methods, such as INFOGEST, should be further optimized for experiments involving lipid addition in which carotenoid bioaccessibility is evaluated.

Effects of pectin on lipid digestion and possible implications for carotenoid bioavailability during pre-absorptive stages: A review

Pectin, an abundant polysaccharide in the human diet, has structural characteristics and functional properties that are strongly dependent on the food matrix (e.g., origin, type, cultivar/variety, ripening stage, style and intensity of processing). These polysaccharides have a strong effect on lipid digestion, which is required for the liberation of carotenoids from emulsified lipid droplets in the gastrointestinal content and for the formation of micelles, in which the carotenoids must be incorporated before absorption. Only micellarized carotenoids can be absorbed and subsequently exert protective effects on human health. The alteration of lipolysis by pectin can occur through several mechanisms; however, they have not been linked directly to carotenoid micellarization. This paper provides an overview of the effects of the properties of pectin on the ion concentration in the digestive content, the viscosity of the digestive medium, the properties of the lipid droplet surfaces and lipase activity and analyzes the impact of these events on lipid digestion and subsequent carotenoid micellarization.

Dietary fat composition, food matrix and relative polarity modulate the micellarization and intestinal uptake of carotenoids from vegetables and fruits.

Dietary fat increases carotenoid bioavailability by facilitating their transfer to the aqueous micellar fraction during digestion. However, the specific effect of both quantity and type of dietary fat required for optimal carotenoid absorption remained unexplored. In the present study, the effect of amount and type of vegetable oils on carotenoid micellarization from carrot, spinach, drumstick leaves and papaya using in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model have been assessed. Although, dietary fat (0.5-10%w/w) significantly increased the micellarization of carotenoids from all the test foods, the extent of increase was determined by the food matrix (papaya>drumstick=spinach>carrot) and polarity of carotenoids (lutein>β-carotene=α-carotene>lycopene). Among the dietary fats tested the carotenoid micellarization was twofold to threefold higher with dietary fat rich in unsaturated fatty acids (olive oil=soybean oil=sunflower oil) compared to saturated fatty acids (peanut oil=palm oil>coconut oil). Intestinal cell uptake of lutein exceeded that of β-carotene from micellar fraction of spinach leaves digested with various oils. However, cellular uptake of β-carotene is depended on the carotenoid content in micellar fraction rather than the type of fat used. Together these results suggest that food matrix, polarity of carotenoids and type of dietary fat determines the extent of carotenoid micellarization from vegetables and fruits.

Effect of pectin concentration and properties on digestive events involved on micellarization of free and esterified carotenoids

Pectins with different chemical and rheological properties were added at two concentration levels into digestion reactions of soybean oil enriched with a mixture of free and esterified carotenoids to study their effects on several events involved on carotenoid micellarization. High pectin concentration increased lipolysis, viscosity of the gastrointestinal medium, and particle size but decreased carotenoid micellarization. At low concentration, pectin showed a high binding of bile salts and favored carotenoid micellarization. Pectins with high molecular weight and viscosity in model solutions substantially increased the viscosity of the intestinal media and the micellarization of the less polar carotenoids while pectins with high and medium degree of methyl esterification promoted lipolysis, bile binding, viscosity and large sizes of lipid droplets, and slightly favored the micellarization of the more polar carotenoids. The effects of pectin properties and amount on carotenoid micellarization seemed to be related to carotenoid speciation.

Native African Plant Materials Modify in vitro Bioaccessibility of Provitamin A Carotenoids from Blended Cereal Products

Native plant materials can play an important role in addressing deficiency of key shortfall micronutrients including vitamin A (VA), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in Sub‐Saharan Africa. However, information on the micronutrient composition of these plants and strategies for their incorporation into viable consumer products is scarce. In particular, limited information is available on the interaction of materials on the bioavailability of key nutrients such as proVA carotenoids. In the current study, 28 distinct plants and traditional cereal grains (millet and sorghum) from Senegal and Niger were characterized for their carotenoid and mineral content. Among the plant materials analyzed, Adansonia digitata (Baobab), Moringa oleifera (Moringa), and Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hibiscus) were identified as potential sources of key shortfall nutrients, Fe (54.5–237.2 μg/g) and Zn (4.2 – 72.38 μg/g). Dried carrot and mango materials common to West Africa were identified as provitamin A sources. Following initial screening, plant materials were formulated in model instant cereal based porridges designed to mimic thin porridge products common to West Africa. Proportions of instant cereal and plant materials were dry blended to deliver ~25% of the RDA for proVA, Fe and Zn as follows: extruded cereal based flour (45–65%), dried proVA rich plants (30% as carrot and mango) and dried mineral rich plants (0–25% as Hibiscus, Moringa or Baobab). Porridges were reconstituted with hot water (100°C), 5% oil was then added and the final product was introduced to an in vitro digestion model to assess the impact of mineral rich plant materials and grain background on the bioaccessibility of proVA carotenoids. Baobab inclusion was found to significantly increase (p&lt;0.05) bioaccessibility of total proVA (TPVA) carotenoids from 18.26±1.8% to 31.68±4.1% (mean ± SEM) in dose‐dependent manner from 5% to 25% baobab. Conversely, carotenoid bioaccessibility was reduced with increased amount of Moringa and Hibiscus. Interestingly, Baobab at 5% had the lowest (p&lt;0.05) digestive recovery of TPVA carotenoids (24.86 ± 5.96%) whereas Hibiscus at 5% had the highest recovery (55.35 ± 2%) suggesting that interactions between plant materials may impact both digestive stability and micellarization of proVA carotenoids. Based on bioaccessible proVA content of digested porridges, 200g of porridge with baobab formulated at 25% of dry mix) would provide 30% of the vitamin A EAR for children 1–3 years old. These results suggest that native plant materials selected to enhance mineral content may also promote interactions that can impact availability of proVA carotenoids in finished products.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by USAID Food Processing Innovation Lab (AID‐0AA‐L‐14‐00003).

In vitro Assessment of the Bioaccessibility of Carotenoids from Sun-Dried Chilli Peppers

Chilli peppers have been recognized as an excellent source of antioxidants as they are rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as carotenoids which are known to exert various beneficial effects in vivo. Absorption is an important factor in the determination of the potential biological effects of carotenoids. The bioaccessibility of a food constituent such as a carotenoid represents its potential to be absorbed in humans. There is very limited information in the literature regarding the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids from dried peppers. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were: first, to determine the carotenoid content of 20 varieties of red, orange or yellow coloured sun-dried chilli peppers belonging to either of four Capsicum species (annuum, baccatum, chinense and chacoense); and second, to quantify the carotenoid micellarization (bioaccessibility) following an in vitro digestion procedure. Red peppers had a higher carotenoid content and bioaccessibility than either the orange peppers or yellow pepper. Xanthophylls showed greater bioaccessibility than carotenes. Our findings confirm that dried chilli peppers are a good source of carotenoids.

Effect of the Interaction of Heat-Processing Style and Fat Type on the Micellarization of Lipid-Soluble Pigments from Green and Red Pungent Peppers (Capsicum annuum)

The high diversity of carotenoids and chlorophylls in foods contrasts with the reduced number of pigments that typically are investigated in micellarization studies. In this study, pepper samples (raw and heat-treated) contained 68 individual pigments, but only 38 of them were micellarized after in vitro digestion. The micellarization of pigments was majorly determined by the interaction effect of processing style (food matrix effect) and fat type (saturated and unsaturated). The highest micellarization was observed with raw peppers. Unsaturated fat increased the micellarization of carotenoid esters, while the impact of fat on the micellarization of free carotenoids seemed to be dependent on pigment structure. The micellarization efficiency was diminished as the esterification level of carotenoids increased. The type of fatty acid moiety and the polarity of the carotenoids modulated their micellarization. Chlorophylls were transformed into pheophytins by heat-processing and digestion, with the pheophytins being stable under gastrointestinal conditions. Micellarization of pheophytins was improved by fat.

Applicability of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;in Vitro&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Models in Predicting the &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;in Vivo&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Bioavailability of Lycopene and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;β&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;-Carotene from Differently Processed Soups

Presently, there is no clear consensus on the best approach to estimate carotenoid bioavailability. The best alternative would be to use human studies, but they are labour-intensive and expensive and can only be used to investigate a limited number of samples. Hence, a number of in vitro models have been developed to study pre-absorptive processes and factors affecting bioavailability. The question is, however, how well the results obtained by the various methods correlate to each other and to the in vivo situation. In the present paper, we have compared in vivo data from two human studies on differently processed soups containing carrots, tomato and broccoli, with results obtained by in vitro characterisation of the same soups. In vitro bioaccessibility was estimated by a static in vitro digestion investigating matrix release and micellarization of carotenoids and by uptake studies in a human intestinal cell line (Caco-2). In vivo data was obtained from clinical studies measuring total plasma carotenoid concentrations in human subjects after 4 weeks daily consumption of the soups. Comparison of the in vitro and in vivo results indicate that the combination of a two-step in vitro digestion and Caco-2 cells seems to be a useful tool for estimation of β-carotene bioaccessibility and screening of factors governing the release of β-carotene from this type of food. For lycopene the in vitro and in vivo results were less consistent, suggesting that reliable prediction of lycopene bioavailability might be more problematic.

Divalent Minerals Decrease Micellarization and Uptake of Carotenoids and Digestion Products into Caco-2 Cells

Carotenoids are lipophilic, dietary antioxidants with the potential to prevent chronic and age-related diseases. Prior to their availability for physiological functions, carotenoids require micellarization and intestinal uptake, both constituting marginally understood processes. Based on an in vitro digestion model coupled to Caco-2 cells, we assessed the effect of dietary abundant divalent ions on spinach-derived carotenoid micellarization and cellular uptake: Ca and Mg ranging from 7.5 to 25 mmol/L in the digesta and Zn and Fe ranging from 3.8 to 12.5 mmol/L. Both micellarization and uptake were significantly inhibited by minerals in a concentration-dependent manner, with stronger effects for Fe and Zn compared to Ca and Mg. Compared to controls (no mineral addition), fractional micellarization and uptake were decreased to the greatest extent (to 22.5 and 5.0%, respectively;P< 0.001) by 12.5 mmol/L Fe. Effects of Mg were of the least magnitude; at 25 mmol/L, only uptake was decreased significantly to 69.2% of the control value (P< 0.001). Total cellular carotenoid uptake from test meals decreased similarly compared to micellarization; however, decreased β-carotene micellarization was counterbalanced by improved fractional cellular uptakes from the micelles for all ions. Compared to controls, fractional β-carotene uptake from the micelles was greater in samples digested in the presence of Fe, Ca, and Zn, by up to 510 times at the highest concentrations of each ion (P< 0.001). Like for the above carotenoids, a high cellular uptake of the epoxycarotenoid conversion products neochrome (from neoxanthin) and luteoxanthin+auroxanthin (from violaxanthin) was also observed. The present results indicate that divalent ions may inhibit carotenoid micellarization and uptake.

Cooking of spinach influences the isomeric profile of beta‐carotene but does not significantly affect its micellarization

The influence of processing on the micellarization and potential bioavailability of carotenoids from spinach has been previously investigated; however, few studies have looked at the effects of processing on β‐carotene (BC) isomer micellarization. Spinach is often cooked by boiling prior to consumption. The aims of the present study were, first, to investigate the effects of domestic cooking (by boiling) on the isomeric profile of BC in spinach and, second, to assess the effects of cooking on the micellarization of BC isomers. Raw and cooked spinach were homogenized and subjected to an in vitro digestion procedure. The micelle fraction was isolated by ultracentrifugation. Carotenoids were extracted, saponified and analyzed by HPLC. All‐trans BC was the predominant BC isomer in raw and cooked spinach. Following cooking, the percentage contribution of 9‐cis to total BC was significantly (P&lt;0.001) increased and the % contribution of all‐trans BC to total BC was significantly reduced (P&lt;0.001). Micellarization of BC isomers ranged from ca. 20.3 to 60.9 %. Although cis BC isomers in both raw and cooked spinach were more efficiently micellarized when compared with the all‐trans isomer, this trend was not significant. Cooking increased BC isomer micellarization, however this increase was not significant. Our findings indicate that cooking spinach alters the isomeric profile of BC, however, efficiency of micellarization is not significantly affected. This work is funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

Carotenoid Micellarization Varies Greatly Between Individual and Mixed Vegetables With or Without the Addition of Fat or Fiber

Carotenoid bioavailability is influenced by a number of factors, including the type of food matrix and the presence of fat, fiber, and other carotenoids. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were: first, to assess the effects of mixing raw vegetables on the micellarization of beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein compared with individual vegetables; second, to investigate the effects of adding different oils on carotenoid transfer to the micelles; and third, and to a minor extent, to determine carotenoid micellarization following the addition of fiber. The two mixed vegetable meals were TRS (tomato, red pepper, and spinach) and CRS (courgette/zucchini, red pepper, and spinach). Similar trends in carotenoid micellarization were seen between individual vegetables and the TRS meal but not with the CRS meal. In general, the addition of olive, peanut, or rapeseed oil to the CRS meal significantly enhanced carotenoid micellarization but this effect was not concentration-dependent. In relation to the TRS meal, adding either vegetable oils or fiber (oat bran, wheat bran, and pectin) significantly decreased the micellarization of carotenoids to varying degrees. The results from this study indicate that changes to a combination of raw vegetables, with or without the addition of dietary fat or fiber, can have varying results on carotenoid bioavailability.

In vitro screening of relative bioaccessibility of carotenoids from foods.

Carotenoids are lipophilic pigments in plant foods that are of particular interest as precursors of vitamin A, a nutrient required for vision, cell differentiation, and the immune system. In order to mediate such activities, carotenoids and their metabolites must be absorbed for delivery to tissues. Unlike many other dietary lipids, the efficiency of carotenoid absorption is typically inefficient, being affected by food matrix, style of processing, other dietary components, and nutritional and physiological status. Thus, reliable prediction of carotenoid bioavailability is problematic. We have developed a relatively simple and cost effective procedure to study the potential bioavailability, i.e., the bioaccessibility, of carotenoids. The method involves simulated oral, gastric and small intestinal digestion of test samples to access the efficiency of incorporation into micelles, an obligatory step for absorption of lipophilic compounds. The model can be further expanded by adding micelles generated during small intestinal phase of digestion to monolayers of Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cells to investigate apical uptake, cellular metabolism and transepithelial transport of carotenoids. Recent work by Borel and associates has demonstrated that the relative bioaccessibility of carotenoids observed in vitro is highly correlated with in vivo observations and results from bioavailability trials with human subjects. Results from recent studies using the in vitro model to screen relative bioaccessibility of beta-carotene in various cultivars of cassava, impact of amount and types of fatty acyl groups in triglycerides on micellarization of carotenoids, and the mechanism of digestion and intestinal cell uptake of xanthophyll esters are presented.

Impact of Fatty Acyl Composition and Quantity of Triglycerides on Bioaccessibility of Dietary Carotenoids

A carotenoid-rich salad meal with varying amounts and types of triglycerides (TG) was digested using simulated gastric and small intestinal conditions. Xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) and carotenes (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lycopene) in chyme and micelle fraction were quantified to determine digestive stability and efficiency of micellarization (bioaccessibility). Micellarization of lutein (+zeaxanthin) exceeded that of alpha- and beta-carotenes, which was greater than that of lycopene for all test conditions. Micellarization of carotenes, but not lutein (+zeaxanthin), was enhanced (P < 0.05) by addition of TG (2.5% v/w) to the meal and was dependent on fatty acyl chain length in structured TG (c18:1 > c8:0 > c4:0). The degree of unsaturation of c18 fatty acyl chains in TG added to the salad purée did not significantly alter the efficiency of micellarization of carotenoids. Relatively low amounts of triolein and canola oil (0.5-1%) were required for maximum micellarization of carotenes, but more oil (approximately 2.5%) was required when TG with medium chain saturated fatty acyl groups (e.g., trioctanoin and coconut oil) was added to the salad. Uptake of lutein and beta-carotene by Caco-2 cells also was examined by exposing cells to micelles generated during the simulated digestion of salad purée with either triolein or trioctanoin. Cell accumulation of beta-carotene was independent of fatty acyl composition of micelles, whereas lutein uptake was slightly, but significantly, increased from samples with digested triolein compared to trioctanoin. The results show that the in vitro transfer of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lycopene from chyme to mixed micelles during digestion requires minimal (0.5-1%) lipid content in the meal and is affected by the length of fatty acyl chains but not the degree of unsaturation in TG. In contrast, fatty acyl chain length has limited if any impact on carotenoid uptake by small intestinal epithelial cells. These data suggest that the amount of TG in a typical meal does not limit the bioaccessibility of carotenoids.

Micellarization and Intestinal Cell Uptake ofβ-Carotene and Lutein from Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) Leaves

The leaves and pods of the drumstick tree are used as food and medicine in some Asian and African countries. Although relatively high concentrations of beta-carotene and lutein have been reported in the leaves, the bioavailability of these carotenoids from this source is unknown. We have analyzed the digestive stability and bioaccessibility of carotenoids in fresh and lyophilized drumstick leaves using the coupled in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model. Beta-carotene and lutein were stable during simulated gastric and small intestinal digestion. The efficiency of micellarization of lutein during the small intestinal phase of digestion exceeded that of beta-carotene. Addition of peanut oil (5% vol/wt) to the test food increased micellarization of both carotenoids, and particularly beta-carotene. Caco-2 cells accumulated beta-carotene and lutein from micelles generated during digestion of drumstick leaves in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The relatively high bioaccessibility of beta-carotene and lutein from drumstick leaves ingested with oil supports the potential use of this plant food for improving vitamin A nutrition and perhaps delaying the onset of some degenerative diseases such as cataracts.

Impact of Amount and Triglyceride (TG) Structure on Micellarization of Dietary Carotenoids during Simulated Digestion

Impact of Amount and Triglyceride (TG) Structure on Micellarization of Dietary Carotenoids during Simulated Digestion

Development of an in vitro digestion method to assess carotenoid bioavailability from meals.

The objective of this study was to develop a model for assessing the bioavailability of carotenoids from meals using an in vitro digestion procedure. A meal was prepared using baby food carrots, spinach, and a meat, plus tomato paste. The aqueous fraction was isolated from digesta to determine the quantity of carotenoids transferred from the food to micelles. The micellarization of lutein (25-40%) exceeded (p < 0.01) that of alpha- and beta-carotene (12-18%) and lycopene (<0.5%). Micellarization of carotenoids was not affected by elimination of the gastric phase of the digestive process. The absence of bile extract prevented the transfer of carotenoids from foods to micelles, whereas omission of pancreatin only reduced the micellarization of the carotenes. Differentiated cultures of Caco-2 human intestinal cells accumulated 28-46% of micellarized carotenoids from the medium after 6 h. These results support the usefulness of the in vitro digestion process as a rapid and cost-effective model for screening the bioavailability of carotenoids from meals.