49I-19 |
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E. MENELAOU, J. M. King, and J. N. Losso. Dept. of Food Science, Louisiana State Univ. Agricultural Center, 111 Food Science Bldg., Baton Rouge, LA 70803-4200 Lutein (3,3’-dihydroxy-alpha-carotene) has been identified by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) of National Eye Institute of the NIH as a dietary compound with the ability to delay the onset and/or progression of age-related and/or diabetes-related vision loss. Lutein can also be useful in the prevention of other angiogenic diseases such as breast and colon cancer. Although marigold flowers are excellent sources of lutein, corn has been identified as a very economical source of lutein because more value-added products, such as lutein, oil, and zein (known for its anti-microbial and anti-hypertensive activities) can be isolated from corn than marigold flowers. Aflatoxin-contaminated corn has very low economic value to farmers and is banned for use in human food chains. The objective of this research was to isolate aflatoxin-free lutein from aflatoxin-contaminated corn to create better economic opportunities for corn growers and generate heath enhancing products for chronic diseases prevention. Aflatoxin-contaminated corn was fractionated for lutein, oil, and zein using commercially available solvents. Aflatoxin-contaminated lutein was treated in low acid medium at 370C for 2 h in the presence of an oxidase. Quantification of lutein before and after enzyme treatment was carried out by HPLC using a YMC30 carotenoid column. Extraction and quantification of aflatoxin in the aqueous and lutein-containing lipid phase were carried using the AOAC multifunctional column method involving solid phase extraction and HPLC, respectively. Aflatoxin in the extracted corn oil was also quantified by using the same AOAC protocol. Corn samples contained 2 mg lutein per 100 g samples. Aflatoxin B1 and B2 were identified at 4888 and 368 ppb in lutein extract, respectively. However, HPLC analysis detected no peaks associated with either aflatoxin B1 or B2 in the enzyme-treated lutein or corn oil samples. Corn growers and processors may generate additional income from aflatoxin-contaminated corn because health enhancing products may be isolated from this traditionally discarded agricultural commodity.
Session 49I, Toxicology & Safety Evaluation: General
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