The effects of HPP on carotenoid availability in vitro are
presented in Fig. 1. More than 60% of carotenoids in carrots,
beans and broccoli remain undigested and, presumably, would
be unavailable for absorption in the small bowel. Carrot not
only had the highest concentration of carotenoids (Table 2) but
these were also more readily available than those present in the
other vegetables (Fig. 1). Approximately 30% of both α- and β-
carotene in carrot was potentially available for intestinal uptake.
For green beans, and broccoli in particular, very little of the
carotenoids present was digested in vitro (≤ 14 and 6%, respec-
tively). High pressure treatment had no effect on carotenoid
availability of carrots. Lutein bioavailability in green beans was
increased by pressure treatment at 600 MPa (P b 0.05) whereas
in broccoli β-carotene availability was reduced by pressure
processing at both 400 or 600 MPa, 2 min.