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

The present study is focused on bioavailability and antioxidant property of carotenoids from microalgal biomass
elucidated in rat model. Microalgal biomass containing 200 μMequivalent 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 15 days. 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.