Stable and bioavailable compositions of isomers of carotenoids for skin and hair

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions that provide health benefits and methods regarding same are presented. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a primary composition comprising at least one carotenoid-containing material, enriched in Z isomers of the carotenoid compound. For example, the carotenoid-containing material contains by weight a greater percentage of an isomer selected from the group consisting of 5-Z, 9-Z and combinations thereof than of 13-Z isomer.

1 . A primary composition comprising:
 at least one carotenoid-containing material extracted from a source selected from the group consisting of tomatoes, carrots, peaches, apricots, oranges, melons, guavas, papayas, grapefruits, wolfberries, rosehips, soya, green tea, spices, grapes, cocoa and combinations thereof, and isomerized in an organic solvent so as to comprise, by weight, a greater percentage of an isomer selected from the group consisting of 5-Z, 9-Z and combinations thereof than of a 13-Z isomer.   
     
     
         2 . The primary composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carotenoid-containing material contains more than 30% by weight of the isomer selected from the group consisting of 5-Z, 9-Z and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The primary composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carotenoid-containing material contains less than 10% by weight of the 13-Z isomer. 
     
     
         4 . The primary composition of  claim 1 , comprising a content in E isomer that is not greater than 60% of the total carotenoid content. 
     
     
         5 . The primary composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Z isomers of the carotenoid compound are present in an amount effective to increase the bioavailability and/or bioefficacy of the carotenoid compound. 
     
     
         6 . The primary composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carotenoid compound is selected from the group consisting of lycopene, carotenes, zeaxanthine, astaxanthine, β-cryptoxanthin, capsanthine, canthaxanthine, lutein, phytofluene, phytoene and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The primary composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Z/E isomer ratio of the carotenoid compound is at least 20:80. 
     
     
         8 . The primary composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of liquid, gel and powder. 
     
     
         9 . An oral composition comprising:
 a primary composition comprising at least one carotenoid-containing material extracted from a source selected from the group consisting of tomatoes, carrots, peaches, apricots, oranges, melons, guavas, papayas, grapefruits, wolfberries, rosehips, soya, green tea, spices, grapes, cocoa and combinations thereof, and isomerized in an organic solvent so as to comprise, by weight, a greater percentage of an isomer selected from the group consisting of 5-Z, 9-Z and combinations thereof than of a 13-Z isomer.   
     
     
         10 . The oral composition of  claim 9 , wherein the oral composition is selected from the group consisting of a foodstuff, a food supplement, a pet food product and a pharmaceutical preparation. 
     
     
         11 . The oral composition of  claim 10 , wherein the foodstuff is selected from the group consisting of a nutritional complete formula, a dairy product, a chilled or shelf stable beverage, a mineral water, a liquid drink, a soup, a dietary supplement, a meal replacement, a nutritional bar, a confectionery product, a milk, a fermented milk product, a yogurt, a milk based powder, an enteral nutrition product, an infant formulae, an infant nutritional product, a cereal product, a fermented cereal based product, an ice-cream, a chocolate, coffee, a culinary product, a pet food product and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The oral composition of  claim 10 , wherein the food supplement is provided in a form selected from the group consisting of capsules, gelatin capsules, soft capsules, tablets, sugar-coated tablets, pills, pastes or pastilles, gums, drinkable solutions or emulsions, syrups and gels. 
     
     
         13 . The oral composition of  claim 9  comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of a sweetener, a stabilizer, a flavoring and a colorant. 
     
     
         14 . The oral composition of  claim 9 , wherein the content of the primary composition is between about 0.001 and 100% by weight. 
     
     
         15 . The oral composition of  claim 9 , wherein the content of the primary composition is between about 10 and 50% by weight. 
     
     
         16 . A cosmetic composition comprising:
 a primary composition comprising at least one carotenoid-containing material extracted from a source selected from the group consisting of tomatoes, carrots, peaches, apricots, oranges, melons, guavas, papayas, grapefruits, wolfberries, rosehips, soya, green tea, spices, grapes, cocoa and combinations thereof, and isomerized in an organic solvent so as to comprise, by weight, a greater percentage of an isomer selected from the group consisting of 5-Z, 9-Z and combinations thereof than of a 13-Z isomer.   
     
     
         17 . The cosmetic composition of  claim 16 , wherein the content of primary composition is between about 10 −10 % and 10% by weight of the cosmetic composition. 
     
     
         18 . A process of manufacturing a composition, the process comprising:
 extracting a carotenoid-containing material from a source selected from the group consisting of tomatoes, carrots, peaches, apricots, oranges, melons, guavas, papayas, grapefruits, wolfberries, rosehips, soya, green tea, spices, grapes, cocoa and combinations thereof; and   isomerizing the carotenoid-containing material in an organic solvent under conditions sufficient to increase its content in Z isomers of the carotenoid compound, wherein the carotenoid-containing material comprises by weight a greater percentage of an isomer selected from the group consisting of 5-Z, 9-Z and combinations thereof than of a 13-Z isomer.   
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein isomerizing the carotenoid-containing comprises solubilization of Z isomers in the organic solvent followed by phase separation using centrifugation or filtration. 
     
     
         20 . A method for improving skin health, the method comprising:
 administering a composition comprising a primary composition having at least one carotenoid-containing material extracted from a source selected from the group consisting of tomatoes, carrots, peaches, apricots, oranges, melons, guavas, papayas, grapefruits, wolfberries, rosehips, soya, green tea, spices, grapes, cocoa and combinations thereof, and isomerized in an organic solvent so as to comprise, by weight, a greater percentage of an isomer selected from the group consisting of 5-Z, 9-Z and combinations thereof than of a 13-Z isomer.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the primary composition is used for a method selected from the group consisting of protecting the tissues of the skin against aging, prevention or treatment of sensible, dry and reactive skins, for improving skin density or firmness, and for increasing skin photoprotection. 
     
     
         22 . A method for improving hair and coat quality, the method comprising:
 administering a composition comprising a primary composition having at least one carotenoid-containing material extracted from a source selected from the group consisting of tomatoes, carrots, peaches, apricots, oranges, melons, guavas, papayas, grapefruits, wolfberries, rosehips, soya, green tea, spices, grapes, cocoa and combinations thereof, and isomerized in an organic solvent so as to comprise, by weight, a greater percentage of an isomer selected from the group consisting of 5-Z, 9-Z and combinations thereof than of a 13-Z isomer.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the primary composition is used for a treatment selected from the group consisting of improving hair or coat density, fiber diameter, color, oilness, glossiness, and preventing hair or coat loss. 
     
     
         24 . A method for preventing or treating cardiovascular disease, the method comprising:
 administering a composition comprising a primary composition having at least one carotenoid-containing material extracted from a source selected from the group consisting of tomatoes, carrots, peaches, apricots, oranges, melons, guavas, papayas, grapefruits, wolfberries, rosehips, soya, green tea, spices, grapes, cocoa and combinations thereof, and isomerized in an organic solvent so as to comprise, by weight, a greater percentage of an isomer selected from the group consisting of 5-Z, 9-Z and combinations thereof than of a 13-Z isomer.