Carotenoids are biological pigment molecules that are often found in fruits and vegetables. Humans cannot synthesize carotenoids, but they can be accumulated through diets (Fiedor & Burda, 2014). Carotenoids have been found to lower oxidative stress which can lead to a lower risk of disease and infections (Mares-Perlman et al., 2002). Lower carotenoid levels have also been found in patients with Alzheimerâ??s Disease, Parkinsonâ??s Disease, and multiple types of cancer (de Munter et al., 2015; Nolan et al., 2014). Although there is a reverse correlation between the concentration of carotenoids and risk of disease, there are still a lot of qualities and mechanistic pathways of carotenoids that are unknown to scientists. An effective, point-of-care, cheap carotenoid sensor is needed to aid researchers in quickly and accurately quantify carotenoids in blood. A method for the detection of carotenoids was developed by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measures the impedance and frequency when an alternating current is applied to the system. A transfer of electrons was created by using the ferri/ferro cyanide reaction. Carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, were successfully detected by studying the interference of the carotenoid on the ferri/ferro cyanide surface reaction at a glassy carbon electrode. In order to increase the sensitivity of the detection of beta-carotene, the glassy carbon electrode was modified with cyclodextrin. Cyclodextrin has a pocket like structure with a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior. Hydrophobic materials, such as beta-carotene, will be attracted and absorbed into the hydrophobic interior. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy used with the modified glassy carbon electrode successfully detected small concentrations of beta-carotene.
Fiedor, J., & Burda, K. (2014). Potential Role of Carotenoids as Antioxidants in Human Health and Disease. Nutrients 6, 466â??488.
Mares-Perlman, J.A., Millen, A.E., Ficek, T.L., & Hankinson, S.E. (2002). The body of evidence to support a protective role for lutein and zeaxanthin in delaying chronic disease. Overview. J. Nutr. 132, 518Sâ??524S.
de Munter, L., Maasland, D.H., van den Brandt, P.A., Kremer, B., & Schouten, L.J. (2015). Vitamin and carotenoid intake and risk of head-neck cancer subtypes in the Netherlands Cohort Study. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 102, 420â??432.
Nolan, J.M., Loskutova, E., Howard, A.N., Moran, R., Mulcahy, R., Stack, J., Bolger, M., Dennison, J., Akuffo, K.O., Owens, N., Thurnham, D.I., & Beatty, S. (2014). Macular Pigment, Visual Function, and Macular Disease among Subjects with Alzheimerâ??s Disease: An Exploratory Study. J. Alzheimerâ??s Dis. 42, 1191â??1202.
