In vivo bioavailability and antioxidant activity of carotenoids from microalgal biomass — A repeated dose study

• Published in: Food research international Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 711 - 717
• Main Authors: Ranga Rao, A., Baskaran, V., Sarada, R., Ravishankar, G.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: animal models; antioxidant activity; Antioxidant property; Antioxidants; Astaxanthin; beta-carotene; Bioavailability; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Botryococcus; Botryococcus braunii; Carotenoids; catalase; eyes; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Haematococcus pluvialis; high performance liquid chromatography; HPLC; LC–MS; lipid peroxidation; Liver; Lutein; mass spectrometry; Microalgae; Olea; olive oil; peroxidase; Rats; Spirulina platensis; superoxide dismutase; Microalgae; Carotenoids; Bioavailability; Antioxidant property; HPLC; LC–MS; Algae; HPLC chromatography; Liquid chromatography; Biomass; Antioxidant; Properties; In vivo; LC-MS; Pigments; Carotenoid
• ISSN: 0963-9969; 1873-7145
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2013.07.067

The present study is focused on bioavailability and antioxidant property of carotenoids from microalgal biomass elucidated in rat model. Microalgal biomass containing 200μM equivalent of β-carotene, astaxanthin and lutein per rat from Spirulina platensis, Haematococcus pluvialis and Botryococcus braunii biomass respectively was dispersed in olive oil and administered to rats for a period of 15days. The levels of these carotenoids in the plasma, liver and eye were examined by high performance liquid chromatography and also confirmed by mass spectroscopy. The maximum peak levels (nmol/g) of β-carotene (615.61±85.54), astaxanthin (896.51±101.76) and lutein (679.55±74.08) were detected in the liver followed by the eye and plasma. Astaxanthin accumulation in rats fed with H. pluvialis group was higher when compared to S. platensis and B. braunii groups. In H. pluvialis fed group, antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and lipid peroxidation levels were high in the plasma and liver compared to S. platensis and B. braunii fed groups. These results indicate that the astaxanthin from H. pluvialis has better bioavailability and better antioxidant properties compared to other carotenoids. •Micro algal biomass fed to rats as source of β-carotene, astaxanthin, and lutein.•Bioavailability and antioxidant property of carotenoids were evaluated.•Carotenoids accumulation in rats were quantified and characterized by HPLC & LC-MS.•Antioxidant enzyme and lipid peroxidation were observed.•Astaxanthin from H. pluvialis showed better bioavailability than other groups.