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Effects of organic and conventional growth systems on the content of carotenoids in carrot roots, and on intake and plasma status of carotenoids in humans
M. Søltoft1,2, A. Bysted1, K. H. Madsen3, A. B. Mark3, S. G. Bügel3, J. Nielsen2 and P. Knuthsen1*
Abstract
Background: The demand for organic food products has increased during the last decades due to their probable health effects, among others. A higher content of secondary metabolites such as carotenoids in organic food products has been claimed, though not documented, to contribute to increased health effects of organic foods. The aim was to study the impact of organic and conventional agricultural systems on the content of carotenoids in carrots and human diets. In addition, a human cross-over study was performed, measuring the plasma status of carotenoids in humans consuming diets made from crops from these agricultural systems.
Results: The content of carotenoids in carrot roots and human diets was not significantly affected by the agricultural production system or year, despite differences in fertilisation strategy and levels. The plasma status of carotenoids increased significantly after consumption of the organic and conventional diets, but no systematic differences between the agricultural production systems were observed.
Conclusion: The expected higher content of presumed health-promoting carotenoids in organic food products was not documented in this study.
Source
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (2011) 91: 767-775
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.4248
Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Division of Food Chemistry, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Mørkhøj Bygade 19, DK-2860 Søborg, Denmark
(2) Department of Basic Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
(3) Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
* Corresponding author, E-mail pknu@food.dtu.dk
Posted February 2011