Spirulina is an effective dietary source of zeaxanthin to humans.
Zeaxanthin is a predominant xanthophyll in human eyes and may reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Spirulina is an algal food that contains a high concentration of zeaxanthin. In order to determine the zeaxanthin bioavailability of spirulina for dietary supplementation in humans, spirulina was grown in nutrient solution with ²H₂O for carotenoid labelling. Single servings of ²H-labelled spirulina (4.0-5.0 g) containing 2.6-3.7 mg zeaxanthin were consumed by fourteen healthy male volunteers (four Americans and ten Chinese) with 12 g dietary fat. Blood samples were collected over a 45 d period. The serum concentrations of total zeaxanthin were measured using HPLC, and the enrichment of labelled zeaxanthin was determined using LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-MS (LC-APCI-MS). The results showed that intrinsically labelled spirulina zeaxanthin in the circulation was detected at levels as low as 10 % of the total zeaxanthin for up to 45 d after intake of the algae. A single dose of spirulina can increase mean serum zeaxanthin concentration in humans from 0.06 to 0.15 μmol/l, as shown in our study involving American and Chinese volunteers. The average 15 d area under the serum zeaxanthin response curve to the single dose of spirulina was 293 nmol × d/μmol (range 254-335) in American subjects, and 197 nmol × d/μmol (range 154-285) in Chinese subjects. It is concluded that the relative bioavailability of spirulina zeaxanthin can be studied with high sensitivity and specificity using ²H labelling and LC-APCI-MS methodology. Spirulina can serve as a rich source of dietary zeaxanthin in humans.
Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Bolan
B
Yu
Jie
J
Wang
Paolo M
PM
Suter
Robert M
RM
Russell
Michael A
MA
Grusak
Yin
Y
Wang
Zhixu
Z
Wang
Shian
S
Yin
Guangwen
G
Tang
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000569:Americas; D002681:China; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003903:Deuterium; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D055951:Functional Food / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D053545:Spirulina / Q000378:metabolism*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D065146:Zeaxanthins
D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D003903:Deuterium