Beta-cryptoxanthin is a common carotenoid, typically the fourth most abundant carotenoid in human blood. Its richest food sources include mandarin oranges, persimmons, papayas, pumpkin, and red sweet peppers.  Beta-cryptoxanthin is a precursor of vitamin A, an essential nutrient. Beta-cryptoxanthin-rich foods were assumed to be half as effective as beta-carotene-rich foods at generating vitamin A, because of their respective chemical structures. However, recent experiments in vitro and in vivo with mandarin oranges and other carotenoid-rich foods suggest that beta-cryptoxanthin may be absorbed 3-8X better than beta-carotene.  Adding oil improves the absorption of beta-cryptoxanthin, as well as all other carotenoids tested.  Animal and human studies suggest that beta-cryptoxanthin-rich foods may provide as much vitamin A as do foods with equivalent amounts of beta-carotene.  These results suggest that the contribution of beta-cryptoxanthin-rich foods to vitamin A status must be re-evaluated.

Beta-cryptoxanthin from mandarin oranges as a source of vitamin A

247th National Meeting (2014)

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