Carotenoid storage

In humans, carotenoids were reported in liver, adrenals, testes, kidneys, lungs, skin, eyes, and adipose tissnes. Adipose tissne seems to be the main storage site, together with the liver acconnting for at least 80% of carotenoid storage. It was suggested that the tissue distribution of carotenoids may correlate with the LDL uptake in tissnes expressing LDL receptors at their surfaces, but this does not explain why some tissues show marked enrichment in specific carotenoids, i.e., the hnman macnla accumulates specifically the two xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin. 

PENG Y s, PENG Y M, MCGEE D L and ALBERTS D s (1994) Carotenoids, tocopherols and retinoids in human buccal mucosal cells intra- and inter-individual variability and storage stability. J Clin Nutr 59(3) 636-43. 

HAUPTMANN R, ESCHENFELDT w H, ENGLISH J and BRINKHAUS F L (1997) Enhanced carotenoid accumulation in storage organs of genetically engineered plants , US patent 5618988. 

Lisiewska, Z., Kmiecik, W., and Shnpski, J., Contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids in frozen dill effect of nsahle part and pre-treatment on the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids in frozen diU (Anethum graveolens L.), depending on the time and temperature of storage. Food Chem., 84, 511, 2004. 

Carotenoids in Foods Sources and Stability during Processing and Storage... 

The comparison of the light effect on carotenoids in foods is very difficult to carry out because different foods with different isomer compositions are employed at the beginnings of experiments. The presence of large molecules offers some photoprotection to carotenoids in food systems, either by complexation with proteins as found in carrots or acting as a filter to reduce the light incidence. Different storage conditions are often found because different light intensities are used or sometimes they are not even reported and experiments are carried out under air, N2, or in a vacuum. 

Tang, Y.C. and Chen, B.H., Pigment change of freeze-dried carotenoid powder during storage, Food Chem., 69, 11, 2000. 

Kopas-Lane, L.M. and Warthesen, J.J., Carotenoid photostability in raw spinach and carrots during cold storage, J. Food ScL, 60, 773, 1995. 

Taylor, M. and Ramsay, G., Carotenoid biosynthesis in plant storage organs recent advances and prospects for improving plant food quality. Physiol. Plantarum 124, 143, 2005. 

The photostability of carotenoids during the storage of acidified and pasteurized carrot juice was evaluated at several storage temperatures, e.g., at 4°C, 25°C, and 35°C during 3 months illuminated... 

Chen, H. E., H. Y. Peng, and B. H. Chen. 1996. Stability of carotenoids and vitamin A during storage of carrot juice. Food Chem. 57 497-503. 

Mercadante, A. Z. 2008. Carotenoids in foods Sources and stability during processing and storage. In Food Colorants Chemical and Functional Properties, ed. C. Socaciu, pp. 213-240. Boca Raton, FL CRC Press. 

---