Abstract:
Several geometrical carotenoid Z/E isomers were quantitatively analyzed in different vegetables as their natural source, as well as in serum and retina, the sphere of activity for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Besides, a method was developed for the separation of optical zeaxanthin isomers.
A specially designed mild and artifact-free extraction was applied for the different analyses. On the one hand, the carotenoids from tissue samples were extracted employing Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion (MSPD) directly from the solid tissue. On the other hand, carotenoids were selectively enriched from plasma using Restricted Access materials without any pretreatment. The identification of the geometrical isomers was available by applying HPLC-UV-, HPLC-MS- as well as HPLC-NMR coupling.
The bioavailability of lutein from partially deuterated vegetables (spinach, kale), hydroponically grown in deuterium oxide, was investigated by using HPLC-APCI-MS coupling. Here, serum samples were analyzed prior and after single ingestion of partially labeled vegetables. The absorption and enrichment of the applied deuterated lutein was exactly determined as it was possible to distinguish from the unlabeled lutein from the body storage using mass spectrometry.
The determination of carotenoid stereoisomers in the retina was carried out with several animal models (humans, primates, chicken, pigs, rats). Hereby, a universally applicable extraction method based on MSPD was developed. The carotenoid stereoisomer pattern was determined in different sections of the retina (macula lutea, temporal and nasal retina, choroid, pigment epithelium). To gain insight in the metabolism of carotenoids pure carotenoid isomers were injected in the vitreous of chicken eyes.