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The release characteristics of a unique blend of carotenoid beadlets designed to increase bioavailability were tested using the dynamic gastrointestinal model TIM‐1. Individual carotenoid bioaccessibility peaks were observed over approximately 3–4 hr in the order of lutein and zeaxanthin first, followed by lycopene, and then finally α‐ and β‐carotene; when tested as a beadlet blend or when the beadlets were compressed into tablets. Bioaccessibility measurements of 7%–20% were similar to those previously reported in literature and comparable between the two formulations, beadlet blend and tablet formulations. Total recovery of carotenoids from all compartments ranged from 70% to 90% for all carotenoids, except lycopene where almost 50% was unrecoverable after digestion in the TIM system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A high-performance liquid chromatography–high resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HPLC–FTICR-MS) method was developed to investigate the metabolism of ginsenosides in in vitro models of the gastro-intestinal tract. The metabolites were identified by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Degradation and bioconversion routes of the different ginsenosides at acidic (gastric) conditions and in the presence of intestinal microbiota were elaborated. Besides hydrolysis (deglycosylation) also hydration reactions occurred at acidic conditions. The results illustrate the value of metabolite profiling by HPLC–FTICR-MS for understanding of the mechanisms in bioavailability of herbal drugs and their metabolites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]