Abstract
Objective: To increase the carotenoid concentration in skin by drinking carrot juice to generate an optical response and to determine an in vivo absorption spectrum of the carotenoids and compare it to ex vivo absorption spectra.
Material and methods: The first author of the presented study consumed carrot juice over a period of several weeks and during this time regularly performed optical reflection measurements on his palm. The spectroscopic measurements were carried out with a fiber-based sensor using a thermal light source. Absorption coefficients have been deduced from the diffuse reflectance data. Measurements were also performed on a β-carotene solution, on carrot juice and its extracted carotenoids. The correlation coefficient between carrot juice intake in liters and the optical skin signal was used to select an optimal wavelength for carotenoid detection (493 nm).
Results: An in vivo signal of the carotenoids was found in the spectral range from 400 nm to 580 nm. A 1-l intake of carrot juice resulted in a 0.6% decrease of the diffuse reflectance. The absorption of hemoglobin interferes with the carotenoid signal even though the blood was pressed away. Consequently, a method was used that could lead to the elimination of this disturbance and an in vivo absorption spectrum from the carotenoids in skin was determined by way of trial. The in vivo carotenoid spectrum and that of the carrot juice were both found to a similar extent to be spectrally broader than the absorption spectrum of β-carotene dissolved in cyclohexane.
Conclusion: Detection of carotenoids in skin is possible by diffuse reflectance measurements with a simple spectroscopic optical setup, as it is described in this article. As found by comparing different publications, several geometries for illumination and detection support carotenoid quantification. However, the fiber probe described here is not limited to carotenoid detection and it does not need arrangement of several optical elements such as lenses, mirrors or apertures and therefore requiring less effort for development. To eliminate the interference of hemoglobin, the authors suggest the combination of pressure and the described software method. Other publications have reported hemoglobin interference with respect to in vivo carotenoid measurement. As the carotenoids are mainly found in the bloodless epidermis, setups are suggested which use smaller sampling volumes.
Zusammenfassung
Ziel: Erhöhen der Karotinoidkonzentration in der Haut, um messbare Veränderungen der optischen Eigenschaften der Haut zu erzeugen. Bestimmen eines In-vivo-Absorptionsspektrums der Karotinoide und Vergleich mit Ex-vivo-Absorptionsspektren.
Material und Methoden: Über einen Zeitraum von mehreren Wochen nahm der Erstautor der Studie Karottensaft zu sich und führte währenddessen regelmäßige optische Reflektionsmessungen am Handballen durch. Die spektroskopischen Messungen wurden mit einem Faser-Sensor und einer thermischen Lichtquelle durchgeführt. Aus den Reflektionsspektren wurden Absorptionskoeffizienten ermittelt. Weitere Messungen wurden an einer Beta-Carotin-Lösung, an Karottensaft und an dessen extrahierten Karotinoiden durchgeführt. Es wurde eine optimale Wellenlänge für die Karotinoiddetektion (493 nm) bestimmt, bei der die Korrelation zwischen der diffusen Reflektion der Haut und der Menge an getrunkenem Karottensaft am höchsten war.
Ergebnisse: Im Wellenlängenbereich von 400 bis 580 nm wurde ein In-vivo-Signal der Karotinoide gemessen. Pro Aufnahme von 1 l Karottensaft verringerte sich die diffuse Reflektion um 0.6%. Allerdings interferiert die Absorption von Hämoglobin mit der Karotinoidmessung, obwohl das Blut durch Anpressen des Messkopfes weggedrückt wurde. Folglich wurde eine Methode verwendet, die eine Korrektur dieses Störeinflusses ermöglichen könnte. Versuchsweise wurde hiermit ein In-vivo-Absorptionsspektrum der Karotinoide ermittelt. Es wurde festgestellt, dass das Signal der Karotinoide aus dem Karottensaft und der Haut in einem ähnlichen Ausmaß spektral breiter ist als das in Cyclohexan gelöste Beta-Carotin.
Fazit: Karotinoide in der Haut können mit dem in diesem Artikel beschriebenen, einfachen spektroskopischen Messaufbau detektiert werden. Durch Vergleich mit anderen Versuchen zeigte sich, dass für die Beleuchtung und Detektion verschiedene Geometrien möglich sind. Der hier beschriebene Fasermesskopf ist jedoch nicht auf die Karotinoiddetektion beschränkt und es werden keine zusätzlichen Teile wie Linsen, Spiegel oder Blenden benötigt, womit der Entwicklungsaufwand verringert wird. Um den Störeinfluss durch Hämoglobin zu eliminieren, bietet sich eine Kombination aus Wegdrücken des Blutes und einer softwaretechnischen Korrekturrechnung an. Alternativ sollte die Beleuchtungs- und Detektionsgeometrie weiter verkleinert werden, damit hauptsächlich in der blutfreien Epidermis gemessen wird, denn dort ist die Karotinoidkonzentration am höchsten.
The research project was funded by the Berlin Senate and co-financed by the European Union (European funds for regional development, FKZ 10138595).
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