In order to produce stable carotenoid delivery systems for functional foods, ingredient developers
must carefully consider the pathways that may lead
to carotenoid degradation. By understanding these pathways,
the predominant proxidants in the delivery system and the final
product can be identified and, in some cases, the delivery
system can be modified to provide greater protection to the
carotenoids. This review will discuss the health benefits of several
carotenoids that have received heightened interest in recent
years, discuss the degradation mechanisms of carotenoids, and
evaluate how several types of ingredient delivery systems might
be engineered to protect these carotenoids.