Production of B-carotene rich product by foam-mat drying of carrot juice [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

A new β-carotene-rich product was formed by concentration and foam-mat drying carrot juice extract. The drying process yielded carotene amounted in 111.3 mg/100g dehydrated carrot juice. To evaluate the bioavailability of β-carotene from carrot juice powder, the change in concentration of retinol in blood serum and liver tissue of rats were determined, after supplementation with synthetic vitamin A and dried carrot juice. Male albino rats were fed a synthetic diet deficient in vitamin A for 4 weeks, 5 rats were continued on the vitamin A deficient diet for 4 more weeks and 16 were repleted with vitamin A (4000 IU/kg diet) in the form of vitamin A acetate (group A, n = 8), or dehydrated carrot juice (group B, n = 8) for 4 weeks. Whereas 1 0 rats were continued on the vitamin A adequate diet for 4 (n = 5) and 8 weeks, (n = 5). A significant improvement was observed in the serum and liver retinol levels on repletion for 4 weeks in the dehydrated carrot juice group, compared to the vitamin A depleted rats. These results imply that beta-carotene from dehydrated carrot juice was effective in overcoming vitamin A deficiency. Retinol and β-carotene were measured by HPLC. The study also aimed to fortify yoghurt with dehydrated carrot juice as a natural source of β-carotene (2000 IU/L skimmed milk) to control vitamin A deficiency. After processing, fortified yoghurt was stored at 7 °C for 15 days and analyzed for stability of β-carotene. Levels of β-carotene in fortified yoghurt decreased by about 18% after storage period. Fortification had no significant effect on taste, color, flavor and appearance of yoghurt.Results suggest that in the developing countries like Egypt, sources of vitamin A such as dehydrated carrot juices are valuable in overcoming the problem of vitamin A deficiency. Key words: p-carotene - foam-mat drying - Fortifyed yoghurt with dehydrated carrot juice

Summary in Arabic.

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