Publication Details
Abstract
Objective: Phytoene and phytofluene are colorless dietary carotenoids with ultraviolet-absorbing and redox-active properties. We examined a BCLC® white-tomato microcapsule enriched in these carotenoids and compared its measured formulation properties with published human oral-photoprotection studies. Method: The optimized microcapsules contained 6.31–7.58% total phytoene plus phytofluene, while colored carotenoids represented 2.77–4.12% of the colorless-carotenoid pool. After 30 days at 40°C/75% relative humidity, 82.7–88.6% of phytoene plus phytofluene remained. A 149-participant double-blind trial of a tomato nutrient complex supplying 5.8 mg/day phytoene plus phytofluene reported lower objective UVB-induced erythema and attenuated induction of IL-6 and TNF-α. Earlier tomato-product interventions also increased circulating phytoene and phytofluene and reduced UV-related erythema. Results: The optimized microcapsules contained 6.31–7.58% total phytoene plus phytofluene, while colored carotenoids represented 2.77–4.12% of the colorless-carotenoid pool. After 30 days at 40°C/75% relative humidity, 82.7–88.6% of phytoene plus phytofluene remained. A 149-participant double-blind trial of a tomato nutrient complex supplying 5.8 mg/day phytoene plus phytofluene reported lower objective UVB-induced erythema and attenuated induction of IL-6 and TNF-α. Earlier tomato-product interventions also increased circulating phytoene and phytofluene and reduced UV-related erythema. Novelty: The measured composition and stability of the BCLC® powder make it suitable for formulation-specific studies of UV response, skin carotenoid deposition and duration of effect.