Carotenoid-containing compositions and methods

Abstract

The present invention is directed to carotenoid compositions and methods for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria or for preventing or treating bacterial infections in subjects by administration of an effective amount of astaxanthin and beta-carotene.

1 . A nutritional composition comprising astaxanthin, beta-carotene, galacto-oligosaccharide, and polydextrose. 
     
     
         2 . The nutritional composition of  claim 1  wherein the nutritional composition contains astaxanthin in an amount within the range of from about 50 to about 1150 mcg/L. 
     
     
         3 . The nutritional composition of  claim 1  wherein the nutritional composition contains beta-carotene in an amount within the range of from about 50 to about 1150 mcg/L. 
     
     
         4 . The nutritional composition of  claim 1  wherein the nutritional composition contains a combination of astaxanthin and beta-carotene in an amount within the range of from about 100 to about 1500 mcg/L. 
     
     
         5 . The nutritional composition of  claim 1  wherein the nutritional composition contains galacto-oligosaccharide in an amount in the range of from about 1.0 g/L to about 4.0 g/L. 
     
     
         6 . The nutritional composition of  claim 1  wherein the nutritional composition contains polydextrose in an amount within the range of from about 1.0 g/L to about 4.0 g/L. 
     
     
         7 . The nutritional composition of  claim 1  additionally comprising at least one long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid selected from the group consisting of docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The nutritional composition of  claim 1  wherein the nutritional composition is in a form selected from those consisting of an infant formula, human milk fortifier, and children's nutritional product. 
     
     
         9 . The nutritional composition of  claim 1  wherein the nutritional composition is in a form selected from those consisting of powder and liquid. 
     
     
         10 . A method for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of astaxanthin and beta-carotene. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the effective amount of astaxanthin is within the range of about 0.01 mg and about 10 mg per kg body weight per day. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the effective amount of astaxanthin is about 1 mg per kg body weight per day. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the effective amount of beta-carotene is within the range of about 0.01 mg and about 10 mg per kg body weight per day. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the effective amount of beta-carotene is about 1 mg per kg body weight per day. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10  additionally comprising the administration of at least one prebiotic. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the prebiotic comprises a combination of galacto-oligosaccharide and polydextrose. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the pathogenic bacteria is  H. pylori.    
     
     
         18 . A method for inhibiting the growth of  H. pylori  in an infant comprising administering to the infant an infant formula containing an effective amount of astaxanthin and beta-carotene. 
     
     
         19 . A method for preventing or treating a bacterial infection in a subject comprising administering to the subject the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A method for preventing obesity in a subject comprising administering to the subject the composition of  claim 1 .