β-Lactoglobulin as a Vector for β-Carotene Food Fortification
Abstract
Food fortification is a strategy to overcome vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. Our aim was to investigate the involvement of the bovine milk protein beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg), a potential retinoid carrier, in vitamin A absorption. In vivo experiments were conducted by force-feeding mice with retinol or beta-carotene associated with either beta-Lg or oil-in-water emulsion, with subsequent determination of both vitamin A intestinal mucosa and plasma contents. Caco-2 cells were then used to investigate the mechanisms of vitamin A uptake when delivered by either beta-Lg or mixed micelles. We showed that beta-Lg was as efficient as emulsion to promote beta-carotene, but not retinol, absorption in mice. Similar results were obtained in vitro. Interestingly, an inhibitor of the Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I significantly decreased the uptake of micellar beta-carotene but not that of beta-carotene bound to beta-Lg. Overall, we showed that beta-Lg would be a good vector for beta-carotene food fortification.