Recent Approaches for the Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Carotenoids

Epidemiological studies associate a diet rich in carotenoids with a lower risk of developing diseases. Nonetheless, a higher content of carotenoids in the food matrix does not necessarily demonstrate higher bioactivity. So, where do we stand, and what is the newest in the carotenoid digestion process? Studies demonstrated the release of carotenoids in the food matrix is highly variable and depends on intrinsic and extrinsic factors, and their absorption is through membrane protein receptors, such as SR-B1, CD36, and NPC1L1. It seems that only a part of carotenoids is absorbed in the small intestine, and research on the possible hydrolysis of carotenoid esters and the beneficial interaction with the gut microbiota is the utmost top to search. Static and semi-dynamic in vitro digestion processes exhibit essential results, and standardized protocols are published to allow results comparison. In addition, the use of more realistic approaches is developed with the expectation of results of higher predictive reliability, such as the use of a dynamic in vitro process, the use of pluripotent stem cells for the generation of self-organized enteroids in 2D and 3D or cultured in dynamic conditions and the use of devices technologies, such as the intestinal chip.