title: Carotenoid content and in vitro bioaccessibility of lutein in some leafy vegetables popular in Sri Lanka.
abstract: Lutein is one of the major carotenoids in green leafy vegetables (GLVs), which show a marked antioxidant activity. The study was carried out to identify and quantify the carotenoid content of selected Sri Lankan GLVs. RP-HPLC with photodiode array detection method was followed for the separation, identification and quantification of carotenoids. Among the vegetables analyzed, Ipomoea batatas leaves showed the highest beta-carotene content (743.9+/-35.0 microg/g dry weight (DW)) while Syngonium angustatum leaves contained the highest amount of lutein (1,728.2+/-168.3 microg/g DW). Percentage in vitro bioaccessibility of lutein from cooked GLVs ranged from 10.1 to 48.0% in stir-fried preparations of Centella asiatica and Cucurbita maxima, respectively. Hence these GLVs can be exploited as a rich source of beta-carotene and lutein to overcome vitamin A deficiency and age-related macular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. udumalagala2002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Udumalagala Gamage
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Chandrika
authors.forename: Basnayake Mudiyanselage Lohitha Bandara
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Basnayake
authors.forename: Indika
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Athukorala
authors.forename: Pula Wahampurage Nilanka Madurangi
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Colombagama
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goonetilleke
mesh_terms: D029064:Araceae / Q000737:chemistry; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003296:Cooking / Q000379:methods; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry*; D004032:Diet; D027723:Ipomoea batatas / Q000737:chemistry; D014975:Lutein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000517:prevention & control; D009753:Nutritive Value; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D013188:Sri Lanka; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D014975:Lutein