Carotenoid Uptake by Human Triacylglycerol-Rich Lipoproteins from the Green Leafy Vegetable Eruca sativa

Carotenoid absorbability from arugula (Eruca sativa) was estimated from the contents of the triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRL) of 15 women over a 6 h time interval, yielding an average apparent absorption of 0.27 μmole of β-carotene (5.6 μmole intake), whereas a similar intake of standard β-carotene resulted in the absorption of 0.59 μmole. The corresponding rates for the raw and cooked leaves were 18.2 ± 7 and 22.9 ± 13nmole·L^?1h^?1 (P < 0.05), against 37.1 ± 12nmole·L^?1h^?1 for β-carotene capsules. For lutein, the apparent mean uptakes were 5.6 ± 4 and 6.7 ± 4nmole·L^?1h^?1, for the raw and cooked, respectively. It was concluded that the relative loading of β-carotene onto TRLs is favored over that of lutein and that absorbability of these arugula carotenoids by normal adults is substantial.