Isolation and Bioefficacy of β-Carotene from an Unexplored Plant Source

Divya, T. R. (2009) Isolation and Bioefficacy of β-Carotene from an Unexplored Plant Source. [Student Project Report]

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Abstract

This Dissertation / Report is the outcome of investigation carried out by the creator(s) / author(s) at the department/division of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore mentioned below in this page.

Item Type:	Student Project Report
Additional Information:	The beneficial effects of fruits and vegetables that are rich in carotenoids and their relation to reduced incidence of degenerative diseases are well-known. The importance of β-carotene in biology and medicine is immense. β-carotene is an important precursor of vitamin A and its deficiency is prevalent mainly in developing countries. Therefore, addition of newer and more economical sources of β-carotene to the existing pool is sought after owing to its high health benefits. The present study utilized an underexploited plant source, flower petals of D. regia, which was found to be high in β- carotene. The consequences of β-carotene defieciency can be grave leading to diseases related to the eye and other related disorders. β-carotene acts as an antioxidant by causing singlet oxygen quenching. The present study showed that the β-carotene rich extract of D. regia showed excellent DPPH radical scavenging activity. It also caused a significant reduction in hydroxyl radicals generated from deoxyribose sugar through Fenton reaction. The extract showed a small but significant amount of protection against Fentonmediated DNA damage. These results suggest that flowers of D. regia are an excellent source of β-carotene and hence can be employed as a constituent of nutraceutical formulations. The need for β-carotene for alleviating the vision disorder and improve immunity in children of developing countries is well recognized. Since there is a high demand for carotenoids in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, the petals of D. regia appear to be a potential source, provided the safety issues are sorted out.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	β-carotene plant source D. regia
Subjects:	600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 20 Plant Food
Depositing User:	Food Sci. & Technol. Information Services
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2009 04:18
Last Modified:	23 Sep 2009 04:18
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/9191

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