title: Carotene location in processed food samples measured by cryo In-SEM Raman.
abstract: Cryo In-SEM Raman has been used for the first time to localise carotene compounds in a food matrix. Raman spectra of lycopene and β-carotene have been obtained from sampling oil droplets and plant cell structures visualised with cryo-SEM in tomato and carrot based emulsions containing 5% oil. It was possible to identify the carotenoids in both the oil droplets and the cell walls. Furthermore our results gave some indication that the carotenoids were in the non-crystalline state. It has been suggested that a higher amount of carotenes solubilised into the oil phase of the food matrix would lead to a higher bioaccessibility, thus understanding the effect of processing conditions on micronutrients distribution in a food matrix might help the design of plant based food products with a better nutritional quality. This shows improved structural characterisation of the cryo-SEM with the molecular sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy as a promising approach for complex biological problems.
authors.affiliation: Unilever R & D, Structured materials and process science, Olivier Van Noortlaan 120, PO Box 114, 3130, AC, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. patricia.lopez-sanchez@unilever.com
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lopez-Sanchez
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schumm
authors.forename: Paul D A
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Pudney
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hazekamp
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000737:chemistry; D018552:Daucus carota / Q000737:chemistry; D005504:Food Analysis; D000077276:Lycopene; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000737:chemistry; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene