Health-promoting Functions Research Articles

Public Relations Functions for Sugar-Salt-Fat Consumption Control Programs Planning

Non-Communicable Diseases such as stroke, diabetes mellitus, heart attack, and hypertension have increasingly lurked in Indonesia. The excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and fat (SSF) is the trigger for that case, and the government tries to take precautions for people from 13 to 18 years of age. Emphasizing on preventive health communication efforts, this study intended to assist the health promotion program of Puskesmas Purwokerto Utara 2 to apply Public Relations functions by providing IEC (Communication, Information, and Education) on controlling SSF in adolescents. This research used in-depth interviews and observations as data collection techniques, with qualitative descriptive methods to analyze the data. The result showed that this Puskesmas (district clinic) is identified as not implementing the SSF Control Program since its health promotion function is still more focused on routine programs. Meanwhile, 1.021 students in this work area need to prevent threatening diseases. Making collaboration with competent partners, Puskesmas may apply the functions of Public Relations in implementing the preventive programs by providing sufficient information about the danger of the excessive consumption of SSF, inviting people to change attitudes and actions, and representing the organization’s attitude towards society.

Liberation of eicosapentaenoic acid and degradation of the major cell wall polysaccharide porphyran by fermentation of nori, the dried thalli of Pyropia yezoensis, with koji

In this study, dried sheets of nori, shredded and processed thalli of the red alga Pyropia yezoensis, were fermented with either barley, rice or soybean koji. High-performance liquid chromatographic analyses of the lipid extracts of the fermented products indicated that the fermentation of nori with all kinds of tested koji released free fatty acids, including the eicosapentaenoic acid, from ester lipids. We found that approximately half of the eicosapentaenoic acid in nori had been released as the free fatty acid at up to 4 weeks of fermentation at 30 °C and more than 65% at 8 to12 weeks in the fermented products with barley and rice koji. We also demonstrated the degradation of porphyran, a major cell wall polysaccharide of nori, by gel chromatography on Sephacryl S-300 HR of hot water extracts of the fermented products of nori with barley koji. Approximately two-third of porphyran had been degraded to porphyran oligosaccharides up to 6 weeks of fermentation. Fermentation of nori with koji may bring out the potential health-promoting functions of nori.

Bioaccessibility of microencapsulated carotenoids, recovered from tomato processing industrial by-products, using in vitro digestion model

Carotenoids have well documented health-promoting functions through their antioxidant properties, and numerous research topics are related to their integration in functional food products or beverages. Due to their firm hydrophobic nature, some difficulties are encountered while incorporating them in high water content matrices. In the present study recovered carotenoids from tomato processing industrial by-products were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and microencapsulated via spray drying technology. Oil in water (o/w) emulsion delivery system was used for encapsulating carotenoids with linseed oil as carrier, and a binary blend of gum Arabic and maltodextrin (1:1 w/w) as wall materials. The microcapsules were subjected to physical-chemical analysis, and to simulated gastrointestinal digestion process to evaluate the carotenoids bioaccessibility. Individual carotenoids (lycopene, β-carotene, and lutein) were observed during gastric and intestinal phases of the in vitro digestion and analyzed by HPLC/DAD. The results showed considerable degradation of lycopene during spray drying process and consistent degradation of β-carotene throughout the gastric phase of the simulated digestion. To gain an insight into the compounds responsible for the efficient delivery system of the carotenoids through the gastrointestinal tract, further investigations are required regarding the lipid phase used in the spray drying process.

Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) fortified with Camellia sinensis mediates apoptosis, Notch-1 signaling, and mitigates obesity-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver.

The habit of drinking tea is highly prevalent and could be utilized to introduce more health benefits through fortification with medicinal plants. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the nutritional quality and health benefits of fortified Ziziphus tea (ZT) with green tea (GT) against obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Proximate analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out on the fortified tea. In the in vivo study, 15 SD rats were used for each group. Flow cytometry was utilized for caspase 3 analysis. ELISA was used for the detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and adiponectin levels. Real-time PCR was used to detect Notch-1 and Hes-1 gene expression. The composition of fortified (GT+ZT) showed a significant improvement in the nutritional value represented by the increase in overall protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, carbohydrate, mineral contents, and antioxidant capacity. Treatment with GT+ZT restored the disturbance in body weight, lipid profile, liver function, glucose, insulin sensitivity index, and oxidative status. It reversed the changes in TNF-α and adiponectin levels. Their protective effects against NAFLD were indicated by the inhibition of hepatic caspase-3 activity, suppression of Notch-1, and Hes-1 gene expression and amelioration of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced histological alterations. Collectively, our findings, elucidate the precise mechanism of fortified ZT+GT for the attenuation of obesity-induced metabolic disorders and NAFLD via regulating lipolysis, TNF-α, adiponectin, apoptosis, and Notch-1 signaling pathways, and provide a foundation for an easily implemented healthy habit of drinking. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The incorporation of bioactive compounds into functional foods is a growing market. Consumer attention in well-being has increased rapidly toward a fortified diet that provides additional health effects. The fortified (GT+ZT) tea may potentially serve as an easily implemented healthy drinking habit to prevent and manage obesity and NAFLD and reduce the risk of other diseases. Fortification with ZT improved the health-promoting functionality of GT through the enhancement of total protein, carbohydrates, antioxidant, and mineral contents. This was reflected by their synergetic therapeutic activity in ameliorating the disturbance in obesity-related disorders and NAFLD via regulating lipolysis, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and Notch-1 signaling pathways. Therefore, (GT+ZT) could be considered functional foods which attribute to functional improvement and reduction in disease risk.

ASSESSMENT OF MINERAL NUTRIENT IMPACT ON METABOLITES ACCUMULATION IN KALE (BRASSICA OLERACEA VAR. SABELLICA)

Green leafy kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) has huge scientific attention because of its health-promoting functionality. In the present study the impact of NPK, energen, biostim and humate on flavonoid, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, carotenoids, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein, proline and soluble sugar in kale was investigated. The mineral nutrients mostly increased but in some cases maintained the studied metabolites. The stimulatory effect of applied mineral nutrients on the phytochemicals analyzed varied with the different combinations of macro and microelements. Lipid peroxidation was minimized in leaves treated with mineral nutrients hence a reduction in MDA levels. Contrary to the correlation between nitrogen deficiency and increase in polyphenol and vitamin C content in plants, NPK and biostim did not reduce phenolic compound levels. The results of this study showed that NPK maximized the synthesis of vitamin C and proline; energen - phenolic compounds, carotenoids and sugar; biostim – phenolic compounds, proteins and sugar; humate – flavonoids and sugar in curly kale. Therefore, the type of macronutrient and micronutrients combination increases phytochemicals in differently. To enhance the synthesis of phenolic compounds and vitamins, the most promising additives are those containing humic acids (humate and energen), and biostim proved to be more effective for the synthesis of proteins.
 Background. The understanding of how diet affects the incidence or treatment of disease has led to a rise in consumer’s demand for functional foods as well as created the market for natural sources of health benefitting compounds rather than the synthetic sources. Curly kale has gained scientific attention as a functional food because it contains higher levels of phytochemicals than most vegetables. These phytochemicals have shown antioxidant, antimutagenic, cytotoxic, antifungal, and antiviral activities. However, the content levels of these metabolites are influenced by not only genetic but environmental factors. It was of interest to evaluate how various mineral nutrients can elicit the accumulation of these compounds that minimize the risk of chronic diseases or aid in their treatment.
 Purpose. Evaluate how the mineral nutrients, NPK, energen, biostim and humate affect the content of metabolites (proteins, sugars, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, carotenoids, MDA and proline) in curly kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica).
 Materials and methods. Sprouts from kale seed kept wet in a Petri dish for 7 days were transferred to the field. At 6 weeks old four mineral nutrients (NPK, energen, humate and biostim) were added to the soil. Control variants were treated with water. A week later, the leaves were harvested after which, the phenolic compound, flavonoid, protein, sugar, vitamin C, carotenoid, MDA and proline contents were determined using spectrophotometric methods.
 Results. It was shown that humate fertilizer elicited the highest accumulation of flavonoids. Kale plants fertilized with energen were observed to have the highest phenolic compound content. NPK, energen and humate caused a similarly positive effect on vitamin C content in leaves, unlike biostim whose effect did not significantly differ from control plants. Energen treated kale had the highest increment of carotenoids. A varied reduction of MDA levels in plants treated with all four mineral nutrients was observed in kale leaves. Plants fertilized with biostim accrued the highest protein content in leaves. Proline content increased under the influence of all fertilizers studied. Sugar levels for all kale plants treated with the studied mineral nutrients were enhanced equally
 Conclusion. Macro and microelements supplied by mineral nutrients differentially boost the biosynthesis of health-promoting metabolites in curly kale, thereby enhancing its quality.

Transformative health promotion: what is needed to advance progress?

Transformative health promotion actions are needed to achieve health equity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advance human and planetary wellbeing, and ensure that we build back better post-COVID-19. Health policies and systems need to be aligned with the values, principles and strategies of health promotion and investment made in strengthening essential health promotion functions. This paper considers how transformative health promotion can be advanced, by reflecting critically on what progress needs to be made and the structures and processes that are required to strengthen health promotion at a systems level. Progress in implementing health promotion is variable, and there is a general lack of investment in developing the necessary health promotion systems for substantive progress to be made. Key enablers and system requirements for comprehensive health promotion are examined, including the following critical elements: (i) effective advocacy for the concept and practice of health promotion; (ii) enabling policy structures for universal health promotion actions on a cross-sectoral basis; (iii) effective implementation systems, support mechanisms and workforce capacity for multisectoral health promotion action; (iv) investment in innovative research methods and knowledge translation to inform transformative health promotion approaches. In strengthening capacity to implement transformative health promotion actions, political will needs to be mobilized to ensure that dedicated and sustainable funding is made available, and the organizational and workforce capacity to deliver effective health promotion interventions is in place. The International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) plays a central role in advancing transformative health promotion through mobilising and supporting its global members and partners in strengthening health promotion systems.

저장기간에 따른 다양한 식품 내 유산균의 동정 및 유산균 수 변화

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), the eating habit patterns and perspectives of consumers change according to dietary life changes. Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in healthy and functional foods. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and probiotics have health-promoting functions and can facilitate the growth of useful bacteria, inhibit harmful bacteria, and promote smooth bowel movements. This study compared the contents of LAB in various foods, including biscuit, sand, and chocolate, according to the storage period of LAB-containing products and analyzed the predominant LAB at the end of storage. Upon examining the changes in the viability of lactic acid bacteria over a storage period of 7 months, we found that cell viability was maintained at 5.20—9.04 Log CFU/g on MRS agar and 5.60—9.18 Log CFU/g on BCP agar. The results of cross-testing by a certified food safety agency by the MFDS, demonstrated that cell viability was maintained at 5.65—8.34 Log CFU/g; additionally, cross-validation comparison results showed a similarity of 76.0%—100%. This indicated high accuracy of results and maintenance of the constant viability of lactic acid bacteria. The detected lactic acid bacteria in various foods were identified as Lactiplantibacillus (96—100%), Weissella confusa (99%), and Streptococcus thermophiles (99%). The expressed content of LAB on the outer packaging paper of the products was suitable for determining LAB content.

Pancreatin-induced liberation of starch/cyanidin 3-O-glucoside complexes from rice cooked with black soybean that exhibit slow hydrolysis

Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (C3G), which has various health-promoting functions, is contained in black soybean (BSB). In Japan and Korea, BSB is cooked with rice and the cooked rice appears purplish in colour. In this study, BSB was cooked with glutinous rice, non-glutinous rice, and high-amylose rice. The amount of C3G detected in high-amylose rice was greater than that detected in glutinous rice, suggesting that C3G combined more efficiently with amylose than with amylopectin. Pancreatin induced the liberation of starch/C3G complexes from the purplish cooked rice, and rate of the liberation was in the following order; glutinous rice < non-glutinous rice < high-amylose rice. The amylose/C3G complexes liberated from high-amylose rice was hydrolysed slowly, while the amylopectin/C3G complexes liberated from glutinous rice were hydrolysed into smaller amylopectin/C3G complexes that were difficult to further hydrolysis. Thus, C3G may be useful for preparing foods whose starch hydrolysis is slow.

Overproduction of Soyasaponin I by Tipuana speciosa (Benth.) cell culture

Plant cell and tissue cultures are promising biotechnological tools for the production of a myriad of bioactive secondary metabolites on demand. Discoveries of cell cultures capable of producing specific medicinal compounds at a rate similar or superior to that of intact plants have been accelerated in the last few years. Soyasaponins have recently gained more attention due to their biological activities and health-promoting functions. There are many reports relating the bioactive benefits of soyasaponins to their chemical structure mainly Soyasaponin I which possess unique pharmacological actions. Our previous study indicated that Tipuana speciosa (Benth.) leaves extract showed promising antimalarial and nephroprotective activities. This study aimed to isolate Soyasaponin I, a major compound in the leaves extract and the use of cell suspension culture as a biotechnological route for high-yield production of this bioactive molecule. The compound was identified by LC-MS/MS analysis and other NMR techniques. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous studies have been undertaken for the isolation and the production of Soyasaponin I from T. speciosa leaves using plant tissue culture technology. Our data showed that the callus and cell aggregate of T. speciosa represent an over producer cell lines (220 folds) compared to the whole plant.

Importance of Bioactive Substances in Sheep's Milk in Human Health.

Sheep’s milk is an important source of bioactive substances that have health-promoting functions for the body. The valuable composition of sheep’s milk is due to the high content of fatty acids, immunoglobulins, proteins, hormones, vitamins and minerals. Many biopeptides found in milk have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The bioactive substances of sheep’s milk also show anticancer properties. Sheep’s milk, thanks to its content of CLA and orotic acid, prevents the occurrence of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Sheep’s milk, as a product rich in bioactive substances, can be used as a medical aid to support the body in the fight against neurological and cancer diseases.

Engineering and optimization of the 2-phenylethylglucosinolate production in Nicotiana benthamiana by combining biosynthetic genes from Barbarea vulgaris and Arabidopsis thaliana.

2-Phenylethylglucosinolate (2PE) derived from homophenylalanine is present in plants of the Brassicales order as a defense compound. It is associated with multiple biological properties, including deterrent effects on pests and antimicrobial and health-promoting functions, due to its hydrolysis product 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate, which confers 2PE as a potential application in agriculture and industry. In this study, we characterized the putative key genes for 2PE biosynthesis from Barbarea vulgaris W.T. Aiton and demonstrated the feasibility of engineering 2PE production in Nicotiana benthamiana Domin. We used different combinations of genes from B. vulgaris and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. to demonstrate that: (i) BvBCAT4 performed more efficiently than AtBCAT4 in biosynthesis of both homophenylalanine and dihomomethionine; (ii) MAM1 enzymes were critical for the chain-elongated profile, while CYP79F enzymes accepted both chain-elongated methionine and homophenylalanine; (iii) aliphatic but not aromatic core structure pathway catalyzed the 2PE biosynthesis; (iv) a chimeric pathway containing BvBCAT4, BvMAM1, AtIPMI and AtIPMDH1 resulted in a two-fold increase in 2PE production compared with the B. vulgaris-specific chain elongation pathway; and (v) profiles of chain-elongated products and glucosinolates partially mirrored the profiles in the gene donor plant, but were wider in N. benthamiana than in the native plants. Our study provides a strategy to produce the important homophenylalanine and 2PE in a heterologous host. Furthermore, chimeric engineering of the complex 2PE biosynthetic pathway enabled detailed understanding of catalytic properties of individual enzymes - a prerequisite for understanding biochemical evolution. The new-to-nature gene combinations have the potential for application in biotechnological and plant breeding.

Identification of New Potential Biotherapeutics from Human Gut Microbiota-Derived Bacteria.

The role of the gut microbiota in health and disease is well recognized and the microbiota dysbiosis observed in many chronic diseases became a new therapeutic target. The challenge is to get a better insight into the functionality of commensal bacteria and to use this knowledge to select live biotherapeutics as new preventive or therapeutic products. In this study, we set up a screening approach to evaluate the functional capacities of a set of 21 strains isolated from the gut microbiota of neonates and adults. For this purpose, we selected key biological processes involved in the microbiome-host symbiosis and known to impact the host physiology i.e., the production of short-chain fatty acids and the ability to strengthen an epithelial barrier (Caco-2), to induce the release of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine after co-culture with human immune cells (PBMC) or to increase GLP-1 production from STC-1 endocrine cell line. This strategy highlighted fifteen strains exhibiting beneficial activities among which seven strains combined several of them. Interestingly, this work revealed for the first time a high prevalence of potential health-promoting functions among intestinal commensal strains and identified several appealing novel candidates for the management of chronic diseases, notably obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Optimization of Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Activated Carbon Adsorption for Producing High Fischer Ratio Peptides from Soy Protein

High Fischer ratio peptides have been used in many kinds of foods due to their special amino acid composition and health-promotion functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal enzymes for hydrolysis and activated carbon for adsorption during the preparation of high Fischer ratio peptides from soybean protein. Three and two enzymes were tried with different combinations for the first and second hydrolysis steps respectively. Eight types of activated carbon were tested for their adsorption capacity. Our results show that, after evaluating the branched-chain amino acids retention and Fischer ratio computation, double enzyme hydrolysis steps with alcalase and flavorzyme followed with powdered activated carbon adsorption could raise Fischer ratio from 2.96 to 18.9 though branched-chain amino acids dropped around 80%. By further comparing six different candidate carbons, AK-220 activated carbon was comparatively premium in terms of branched-chain amino acids retention, aromatic amino acids removal and total protein loss rate and its adsorption conditions were optimized as pH 5.5, carbon-hydrolysate ratio 0.1 and adsorption time of 3 h. Overall, our findings demonstrate that, after the sequential treatments of two enzymatic hydrolysis (alcalase and flavorzyme) and activated carbon (AK220) adsorption respectively, branched-chain amino acids could be maintained at around 60% while Fischer ratio was elevated about 4 times comparing with the untreated soybean protein. This study could pave the way for widening the value and application of soybean peptides with high Fischer ratio which would very likely be further used as food or medicine supplement.

Gut microbiota composition and arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity: case–control study protocol (MIVAS study)

IntroductionIntestinal microbiota is arising as a new element in the physiopathology of cardiovascular diseases. A healthy microbiota includes a balanced representation of bacteria with health promotion functions (symbiotes). The aim...

Structural Characterization and Immunostimulatory Activity of Heteropolysaccharides from Fuzhuan Brick Tea.

Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT), one of the unique dark teas, has various health-promoting functions. In the present study, one polysaccharide fraction, namely FBTPS-2-1, was extracted and purified from FBT, and its structure and potential immunostimulatory activity were investigated. The results showed that FBTPS-2-1,one of typical heteropolysaccharides, was mainly composed of Gal, Ara, and Glc with little molar content of Man, Rha, GalA, and GlcA in molar ratio of 46.59:22.13:13.57:8.20:6.02:2.12:1.38 and molecular weight of 748 kDa. The backbone of FBTPS-2-1 contained →4)-β-d-Galp-(1→4)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →4)-β-d-Galp-(1→4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →3)-β-d-Galp-(1→4)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→3)-β-d-Galp-(1→ and →3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→. The linkages of branches in FBTPS-2-1 were mainly composed of α-l-Araf-(1→3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →5)-α-l-Araf-(1→3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →6)-β-d-Galp-(1→3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, α-l-Araf-(1→3,5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, →3,5)-α-l-Araf-(1→5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, α-d-Galp-(1→3,5)-α-l-Araf-(1→ and →5)-α-l-Araf-(1→6)-β-d-Galp-(1→. Furthermore, FBTPS-2-1 could increase the phagocytosis of macrophages and promote the secretion of NO and a variety of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, indicating noticeable immune enhancement activity. Thus, FBTPS-2-1 could serve as a potentially functional food to improve human health by modulating the host immunoreaction.

Synergistic Two-Way Interactions of Dietary Polyphenols and Dietary Components on the Gut Microbial Composition: Is There a Positive, Negative, or Neutralizing Effect in the Prevention and Management of Metabolic Diseases?

Polyphenol is an intricate bioactive molecule abundant in humans/animals' diet particularly plant foods, and has been evidenced in numerous reports with health-promoting functions, owing to its free radical scavenging properties and a broad spectrum of bioactivities. However, the beneficial functions are linked and restricted to bioavailability, which is dictated by the diversity of the gut microbiota. The human/animal's gut harbours a complex community of trillions of microbial species and their symbiotic relationship goes beyond mere aiding the host's digestive system, with important functions such as host nutrition and health by encouraging nutrient metabolism and absorption, regulation of the gastrointestinal development, protection against pathogens, maintenance of the gut mucosal barrier functions and host immune system. The disruption of the gut community (i.e., dysbiosis) is suggested to reflect several pathological processes, such as diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic-related comorbidities. Recent improvements in deep-sequencing technologies and bioinformatics have enabled a more complex understanding of the reciprocal interactions of dietary polyphenols and gut microbiota, as well as their metabolic impact. Hence this review seeks to discuss the two-way synergistic interactions of dietary polyphenols and dietary constituents on the gut microbial composition with an updated and pivotal finding from literature suggesting whether these interactions depict a positive, negative, or neutralizing effect in the prevention of metabolic diseases.

Producing high Fischer ratio peptides from milk protein and its application in infant formula milk powder

Milk protein is beneficial for the health of infants and is mainly derived from bovine, sheep, goat or camel milk. High Fischer ratio peptides usually comprise two to nine amino acid residues. The ratio is computed as a molar ratio between branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) over aromatic amino acids (AAAs) with various claimed health-promoting functions. In this Lilliput review, the classification and nutritional functions of milk proteins are discussed, the physiological functions and preparation methods of high Fischer ratio peptides are introduced, and the application of oligopeptide with unique amino acid composition and physiological functions in infant formula milk powder are reviewed. The development status of relevant industry is also summarized with future prospects. It is concluded that application of high Fischer ratio peptides prepared from milk protein in infant formula food is of great significance and requires further studies.

Studies on Changes in Palatability and Health-Promoting Functions During the Cooking Process of Foods

Studies on Changes in Palatability and Health-Promoting Functions During the Cooking Process of Foods

Health-Promoting Functions of the Marine Carotenoid Fucoxanthin.

Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a marine carotenoid found in brown seaweeds and several marine microalgae. Recent studies have reported that dietary Fx exhibits many health-promoting functions such as anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects in animal experiments. A human clinical trial of Fx showed high potential on reduction of body weight and fat content. The anti-obesity effect of Fx is due to several mechanisms, which include the suppression of adipocyte differentiation, anti-inflammation, and uncouple protein 1 induction in white adipose tissue. Furthermore, Fx reduced blood glucose level and improved insulin resistance through the regulation of adipokine mRNA expressions. In this chapter, we reviewed health beneficial effects and safety of Fx and discussed their molecular mechanisms.

β-Cryptoxanthin from Satsuma Mandarin and Its Multiple Functions.

Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.), a unique Japanese citrus species, is one of the foods which have most abundant β-cryptoxanthin all over the world. In this study, β-cryptoxanthin has a variety of health-promoting functions such as the body fat reducing, cosmetic (whitening), and osteoporosis prevention. β-Cryptoxanthin has also been shown in human studies to have anti-exercise fatigue and diabetes prevention actions. These multiple functions further support that β-cryptoxanthin may play a role in vitamin A function.