Volume 10 No. 8 August 2010 CHANGES IN MICROSTRUCTURE, BETA CAROTENE CONTENT AND IN VITRO BIOACCESSIBILITY OF ORANGE-FLESHED SWEET POTATO ROOTS STORED UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS Tumuhimbise GA1, Namutebi A1 and JH Muyonga*2 John Muyonga *Corresponding author email: muyongaj@agric.mak.ac.ug or hmuyonga@yahoo.com 1 Department of Food Science and Technology, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala-Uganda 3015 Volume 10 No. 8 August 2010 ABSTRACT Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes {OFSP} (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) contain high levels of beta carotene, an important provitamin A carotenoid. Stored sweet potato roots undergo many physiological changes that affect their beta carotene content and bioaccessibility as well as the tissue microstructure. This study investigated the changes in microstructure, beta carotene content and in vitro bioaccessibility of stored OFSP roots. Roots of two varieties of OFSP, Ejumula and SPK004/6/6 were each stored under the following conditions: in a pit (17-21 oC, RH 90-100%), saw dust (19-23oC, RH 86100%), dark room (24.5-28 oC, RH 68-100%) and ambient (24-27 oC, RH 68-100%). Samples were drawn monthly from each of the storage treatments and analyzed for changes in beta carotene content, in vitro bioaccessibility and tissue microstructure. Stored roots of Ejumula variety contained significantly more (P ≤ 0.05) beta carotene than those of the SPK004/6/6 variety. There was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) between varieties in regards to beta carotene bioaccessibility. Roots stored in pits retained higher beta carotene content compared to roots stored under other conditions. In vitro bioaccessibility was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in roots stored in pits compared to roots stored under saw dust, dark room and ambient conditions. Samples of OFSP roots stored under ambient and dark room conditions retained the least amount of beta carotene and had the least amount of bioaccessible beta carotene. There was an increase in the level of cell wall lignification during storage of OFSP. The extent of lignification varied with storage method used. The roots stored under ambient and dark room conditions showed higher levels of lignification compared to those stored under sawdust and in pits. There were no differences in lignification between the different varieties studied. The study shows that storage of OFSP roots using methods that maintain low temperatures leads to higher retention of beta carotene and maintains higher in vitro bioaccessibility. Key words: Storage, beta carotene, bioaccessibility, microstructure 3016 Volume 10 No. 8 August 2010 INTRODUCTION Sweet potato is one of the most important staple crops in developing countries [1]. Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) contain high levels of beta carotene, an important provitamin A carotenoid [2-5]. Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes can, therefore, help alleviate vitamin A deficiency [6]. However, carotenoids may be lost during potato root storage [7]. Traditional storage methods such as storage in bags, pits and open ground have not been evaluated to determine their impact on the retention of beta carotene content as well as its bioaccessibility. Bioaccessibility gives an estimate of the amount of beta carotene that would be potentially absorbed by the body after digestion [8]. Bioaccessibility of provitamin A carotenoids is known to be influenced by the tissue microstructure, among other factors [9]. During storage, there are many changes that take place in the tissue microstructure of the sweet potato roots. The physiological and compositional changes that take place include loss of moisture/water and modification of texture [10, 11]. During storage of sweet potato roots, starch is degraded into sugars by the action of endogenous amylase, thereby affecting the microstructure of the sweet potato root tubers [12]. The extent of these amylase moderated microstructural changes depend on temperature and water content [13, 14]. These factors vary with storage time. High temperatures, in particular, are known to increase respiration leading to lignification of the sweet potato cell walls during storage [15]. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of storing OFSP roots under different conditions on their carotenoid content, microstructure and in vitro bioaccessibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sweet potato varieties Two varieties (Ejumula and SPK004/6/6) of OFSP (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) were randomly harvested from a farm at Bombo, Luwero District of Uganda. The roots were harvested at 4.5 months. Storage of OFSP After harvest, sweet potatoes of 200-250g were sorted to remove physically, and pest or disease damaged roots. The sorted roots were cured naturally in the sun for four days by spreading them on the ground (26-29 oC, RH 80-95%). The sweet potatoes from each variety were divided into four portions. For each storage condition and variety, the roots were divided into three portions, each containing 24 roots. Pit stores were constructed by digging circular pits of 0.5m diameter and 0.5m depth. Pits were lined with dry spear grass (Imperata cylindrica) before sweet potato roots were placed there [7]. The sweet potatoes were then covered with dry spear grass before covering them with soil. The grass acted as an insulating material and ensured cool conditions in the pits (17oC, RH 95-100%). The pits were then covered with grass-thatched roofing structures to prevent rain water from entering the storage pits. 3017 Volume 10 No. 8 August 2010 The OFSP roots for dark room and ambient storage conditions were placed in woven polypropylene sacks, which allowed air circulation. One set of the polypropylene sacks was stored in a room at ambient conditions (24-28 oC, RH 78-100%) while another was stored in a well ventilated dark room (24.5-27 oC, RH 77-100%). Another portion of the OFSP roots was stored under sawdust. Sawdust was obtained from carpentries and then dried in the sun to a moisture content of about 10%. The dry saw dust was placed in well ventilated boxes (19-23 oC, RH 92%) containing the sweet potatoes and these were stored in a well ventilated room. Sample preparation for analyses For each of the storage methods, four roots were randomly selected. The roots were cut longitudinally and two opposite quarters of each removed. The sampled quarters were cut into thin slices (1-2 mm) and freeze-dried using a Virtis Genesis (American Lyophilizer, Inc., USA) freeze drier. The freeze-dried samples were packaged under nitrogen in polythene bags (125 micron) before storage at -50 oC. Before analysis, the freeze-dried OFSP samples were milled in a coffee grinder (Wagtech, UK) and made to pass through a 0.2 mm mesh. From each of the four roots sampled for the four storage methods, three samples were randomly picked for microscopic analysis. Chemicals and standards All chemicals, unless stated otherwise, were obtained from BDH (London, UK). The alltrans-beta carotene standard was obtained from CaroteNature GmbH (Lupisingen, Switzerland). Enzymes porcine pancreatin and pepsin as well as porcine bile extract were procured from Sigma Chemicals (St. Louis, MO). The water used for analytical work was double- distilled. Moisture content Moisture content was determined by drying 10g of sample in a forced air oven (Gallenkamp 300 Series, UK) at 105 oC to constant weight for about 20 hours. Extraction of carotenoids The OFSP dried samples (~0.2g) were weighed in triplicate into test tubes and reconstituted with 1 ml of deionised water for 20 min followed by addition of 2 ml of acetone containing 0.1% (w/v) butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). Tubes were mixed by vortex for 3 min and sonicated for 15 min and then centrifuged in a MicroR centrifuge (Fisher Scientific, UK) for 3 min at 4750xg. The resulting supernatant was saved in a new test tube. The residue was extracted with 2 ml of acetone and centrifuged again. This was repeated up to 4 times until the residue was colorless. To the resulting acetone extract, 3 ml petroleum ether (40-60 oC) was added together with 5 ml deionised water to aid in the separation of the phases. The organic and water phases were separated by centrifugation at 4750xg for 4 min and the organic phase was pipetted into a new test tube. This step was repeated once. The pooled organic phases were collected in a roundbottomed flask and evaporated to dryness under nitrogen in a vacuum evaporator at 35 o C. The residue was then dissolved in 10 ml mobile phase methanol: methyl-tert-butylether (1:1, v/v) in a flask and filtered through a 0.45 m por es i z eme mbr a n ef i l t e r b e f or eHPLCa n a l y s i s .Pr e c a ut i on a r yme a s ur e ss uc ha se x c l us i onofoxy ge n ,pr ot e c t i on 3018 Volume 10 No. 8 August 2010 f r om l i gh ta n da v oi di ngt e mpe r a t ur e sa b ov e40oC we r et a ke nt op r e v e n tc a r ot e n oi d l os s e sdur i n ge x t r a c t i ona n da n a l y s i s . HPLC analysis of carotenoids Ca r ot e n oi ds we r e a na l y s e d by r e ve r s e d ph a s e Hi gh Pe r f or ma n c e Li qui d Ch r oma t ogr a phy( HPLC)us i n gaGi l s onHPLCs y s t e m( Gi l s on ,USA)e qui ppe dwi t ha pump,ade ga s s e ra n daUV6000LPph ot odi odea r r a yde t e c t orope r a t i n ga t450nm.Th e da t awe r es t or e da n dpr oc e s s e dbyme a nsofPC1000Ve r s i on3. 5Sof t wa r e .Abs or p t i on s pe c t r awe r er e c or de db e t we e n250a n d500nm.Se pa r a t i on swe r ec a r r i e doutona Pr on t oSi lC30c a r ot e n oi dc ol umn( 5 m,250mm x4. 6mm i . d) .Th emobi l eph a s eus e df or i s oc r a t i ce l ut i onc on s i s t e dofme t h a n ol :me t hylt e r t b ut y le t h e r :wa t e r( 55: 41: 4,v / v / v ) . Th ef l ow r a t ewa s1. 3ml / mi na n dt h ei nj e c t i onv ol umewa s20 l .Al l transb e t a c a r ot e n e( Ca r ot e Na t u r e ,Lupi s i nge n ,Swi t z e r l a n d)wa sdi s s ol ve di nmobi l eph a s ea n d us e da sa ne x t e r n a ls t a n da r d. Determination of in vitro bioaccessibility Th ein vitro bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t ywa sa ppl i e dt os t or e dOFSPr oot sus i n ga nin vitro di ge s t i on mode l[ 16] .Si n c eOFSPc on t a i n shi ghs t a r c hc on t e n t ,t h emout hdi ge s t i ons t e pwa s i nc l ude d[ 17] .Att h ee n doft h ein vitro di ge s t i on ,t h emi c e l l a rf r a c t i onwa ss e pa r a t e dby c e n t r i f uga t i onf ol l owe dbyf i l t r a t i on[ 18] .Br i e f l y ,0. 5goff r e e z e dr i e dOFSPpowde r wa ss us pe n de di n10mldi s t i l l e dwa t e rc on t a i ni n g1% a s c or bi ca c i d( w/ v )a n dt h e n s ubj e c t e dt os i mul a t e dga s t r i cdi ge s t i ona tpH 2a n d37oCi nt h epr e s e n c eofpe ps i n( 5 mL of0. 5% por c i n epe ps i ns ol ut i oni n0. 1mol L-1 HCl ) .Thi swa sf ol l owe d by s i mul a t e di n t e s t i n a ldi ge s t i oni nt h epr e s e n c eofpor c i n epa nc r e a t i n bi l ee x t r a c tmi x t ur e 1 1 ( 4gL ofpor c i n epa n c r e a t i na n dbi l es a l te x t r a c tof25gL )pH7. 5f or2h .Af t e rin vitro di ge s t i on ,t h edi ge s t awa sf i l t e r e dt h r oughaMi l l i por eme mbr a n e( 0. 65 m por es i z e ) f ol l owi n gc e n t r i f uga t i oni naMi c r oRc e n t r i f uge( Fi s he rSc i e n t i f i c ,UK)a t5000x gf or20 mi n .Th emi c e l l a rf r a c t i ona n dt h er e s i duewe r ea na l y z e df orbi oa c c e s s i bl eb e t ac a r ot e n e . Light microscopy Ti s s ue sofdi me ns i on s6x3. 4x3. 4mm we r es e c t i on e df r om t h eout e rpa r t sofOFSP r oot sus i n gadi s s e c t i onbl a de .Ti s s ue swe r ef i r s tf i xe di n10% f or mols a l i nes ol ut i on [ 19] .Th ef i xe dt i s s ue swe r et h e n pr oc e s s e d us i n ga na ut oma t i c Le i c a TP 1020 Hi s t oki n e t t et i s s uepr oc e s s or( Le i c aMi c r os y s t e ms ,Ge r ma ny ) .Sa mpl e swe r ede hy dr a t e d us i n ga l c oh oli na na s c e n di ngor de rofc on c e n t r a t i ons t a r t i n gwi t h70%,80%,90 %,96%, 100%,100%,100% f or1½ h per concentration. Samples were later cleared in two changes of xylene for 1 h and 1 ½ hours. Lastly, samples were impregnated using two changes of molten paraffin wax at 50 oC for 2 h per change. After processing, the samples were embedded in paraffin wax, blocked and sectioned using a Leica RM 2235 rotary microtome (Leica Microsystems, Germany). Sections of 5-7 µm were cut and floated on a Leica H1120 water bath (Leica Microsystems, Germany). The wrinkle-free sections were picked on grease-free slides and then dried in the oven at 53 oC. The cut sections were de-waxed using two changes of xylene for 1-2 min per change. They were then dehydrated using alcohol, starting with two changes of alcohol of 95% and 80% for 3-5 min per change. The breakdown of cell-wall material was studied using Periodic Acid Schiffs (PAS)-reaction for visualization of totally insoluble carbohydrate. The 3019 Volume 10 No. 8 August 2010 sections were stained with PAS for 15 min and then dehydrated using ethanol in an ascending order of concentration, starting with 95% and then two changes of absolute ethanol for 3-5 min per change. The sections were cleared in two changes of xylene for 1-2 min and then mounted using depex. After mounting, the slides were allowed to air dry and thereafter examined using a light microscope in objective 40 (Carl Zeiss, Germany). Statistical analysis The data obtained for moisture content, beta carotene content and bioaccessibility were analyzed using Stata statistical software (Stata Corporation, Texas, and USA). Comparison between sample treatments was done using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Bonferroni method. P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS Moisture content The results showed that there was a big drop in moisture content in the first month of storage (Figure 1). The biggest drop of 3.9% in moisture content was observed in roots stored under ambient conditions while the least was 1.5% recorded in roots stored in pits in the first month of storage. There was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) between moisture content of roots stored under ambient conditions and those stored in a dark room. The OFSP roots stored in the pit maintained significantly (P ≤ 0.05) more moisture content than any other storage method. Ejumula SPK004/6/6 Figure 1: Changes in moisture content of ejumula and SPK004/6/6 OFSP varieties stored under different conditions 3020 Volume 10 No. 8 August 2010 The amount of beta carotene in roots stored under different conditions tended to increase in the first month of storage. The amount of beta carotene in stored ejumula samples increased from 380.5 ± 2.46 to 412.8 ± 2.11 g/ gdr yma t t e r )whi l ei nSPK004i t i nc r e a s e df r om 337. 1±15. 38t o344 . 4±11. 1mg/ gdr yma t t e ri nt h ef i r s tmon t h . Howe v e r ,t h ea moun tofb e t ac a r ot e n ei ns t or e dr oot sde c r e a s e di ns ubs e que n tmon t h s ( Fi gur e2) .Th e r ewa sn os i gni f i c a n tdi f f e r e n c e( P≥ 0. 05)b e t we e nt h eb e t ac a r ot e n e c on t e n tofr oot ss t or e di npi t sa n dt h os es t or e di ns a wdus t .Th eb e t ac a r ot e n ec on t e n ti n OFSP r oot ss t or e d un de ra mbi e n ta n d da r kr oom c on di t i on swa sn ots i gni f i c a n t l y di f f e r e n t( P ≥ 0. 05 ) .Root ss t or e di npi t sma i n t a i n e d hi gh e rbe t ac a r ot e n ec on t e n t c ompa r e dt or oot ss t or e d un de ra mbi e n ta n d da r kr oom c on di t i on s .Th e r ewa sa s i gni f i c a n tdi f f e r e n c e( P ≤ 0. 05)be t we e nt h ebe t ac a r ot e n ec on t e n ti nejumula a n d SPK004/ 6/ 6v a r i e t i e s . Ejumula SPK004/6/6 Figure 2: Changes in the content of all-trans-beta carotene ( g/ gdr ymat t e r )i n ejumula andSPK004/ 6/ 6OFSPvar i e t i e ss t or e dunde rdi f f e r e nt c ondi t i ons Bi oa c c e s s i bl eb e t ac a r ot e n ewa sc a l c ul a t e da st h epe r c e n t a geoft het ot a la moun t r e c ov e r e di nt h er e s i due ,a n dmi c e l l a ra que ousf r a c t i onsa tt h ee n doft h es i mul a t e d ga s t r oi n t e s t i na ldi ge s t i on ,a n dt h ei ni t i a la moun ti nt h ef r e s hr oot sb e f or es t or a ge .In vitro bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t yofb e t ac a r ot e n ei nr oot ss t or e di npi t swa ss i gni f i c a n t l yhi gh e r( P≤ 0. 05)t h a nt h a tr e c or de df orr oot ss t or e d un de rs a wdus t ,da r kr oom a n da mbi e n t c on di t i on s( Fi gur e3) .Th e r ewe r en os i gni f i c a n tdi f f e r e nc e si nin vitro bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t yof b e t ac a r ot e n ea mon gt h es t or a gec on di t i on sf ort h ef i r s tmon t hofs t or a ge .In vitro bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t yofb e t ac a r ot e n ei nr oot ss t or e di ns a wdus twa ss i gni f i c a n t l yhi gh e r( P≤ 0. 05)t h a ni nr oot ss t or e dun de rda r kr oom a n da mbi e n tc on di t i on swhi l et h e r ewa sn o 3021 Vol ume10No.8 Augus t2010 s i gni f i c a n tdi f f e r e nc e( P≥ 0. 05)i nin vitro bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t yofb e t ac a r ot e n ei nr oot s s t or e dun de rda r kr ooma n da mbi e n tc on di t i ons .Bot hEjumula a n dSPK004/ 6/ 6va r i e t i e s s h owe dn os i gni f i c a n tdi f f e r e n c e( P ≤ 0. 05) i n pe r c e n tin vitro b e t ac a r ot e n e bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t y . Ejumula SPK004/6/6 Fi gur e3:Change si nt hein vitro bi oac c e s s i bi l i t yofal l -transbe t ac ar ot e nei n ejumula andSPK004/ 6/ 6var i e t i e ss t or e dunde rdi f f e r e ntc ondi t i ons Th es t or a ge pa r e n c hyma oft h ef r e s h ejumula a n d SPK004/ 6/ 6 wa sf oun dt ob e c ompos e dofpol y he dr a lc e l l swi t hadi a me t e rofa ppr oxi ma t e l y98 m( Fi gur e4a ,b ) . Th ef r e s hOFSPr ootc e l l sc on t a i ne ds t a r c hgr a n ul e sr a n gi ngf r om gl ob ul a rt oe l l i ps oi d a n dofv a r yi ngs i z e s .Th epa r e nc hy maoft h es we e tp ot a t oc on t a i ne ds e v e r a li n t e r c e l l ul a r s pa c e swhi c hwe r ea ppr oxi ma t e l y6. 8 mi ns i z e .Th e r ewe r en oma r ke ddi f f e r e n c e s b e t we e n mi c r ogr a ph s of f r e s h ejumula a n d SPK004/ 6/ 6s t or e d un de r di f f e r e n t c on di t i on s . 3022 Vol ume10No.8 Augus t2010 Fi gur e4:Themi c r ogr aphsoff r e s h ejumula ( a )and SPK004 ( b)s t ai ne d wi t h Pe r i odi cAc i dShi f fRe age nt( PAS)a ndobs e r ve di nl i ghtmi c r os c ope Fi gur e5:Themi c r ogr aphss howi ngt hemi c r os t r uc t ur eofs t or e dejumula t ube r s s t or e dunde r( a)pi t( b)s awdus t( c )dar kr oom ( d)ambi e ntc ondi t i ons . Thes e c t i onswe r es t ai ne dus i ngPe r i odi cAc i dShi f fRe age nt( PAS)and obs e r ve dus i ngal i ghtmi c r os c ope 3023 Vol ume10No.8 Augus t2010 Th emi c r ogr a ph ss h owe dt h a ts t a r c hgr a n ul e sr e duc e di nn umbe rdur i n gt h es t or a ge pe r i od.Th ec e l lwa l loft h es t or e dr oot swa st hi c ke n e da si tpi c ke dupmor eoft h ePAS s t a i na ss t or a get i mei n c r e a s e d.Root ss t or e dun de ra mbi e n ta n dda r kr oom c on di t i on s h a dmor et hi c ke n e dc e l lwa l l sc ompa r e dt or oot ss t or e di npi t sa n ds a wdus t .Root ss t or e d i npi t sr e v e a l e dmor ei n t a c ts t a r c hgr a n ul e st h a nr oot ss t or e dun de rs a wdus t ,da r kr oom ora mbi e n tc on di t i ons .St or a gec on di t i onsa f f e c t e dt h emi c r os t r uc t u r eofejumula a n d SPK004/ 6/ 6t ot h es a mee x t e n t . DI SCUSSI ON Change si nal lt r ansbe t ac ar ot e nec ont e ntofejumula andSPK004/ 6/ 6s t or e dunde r di f f e r e ntc ondi t i ons Ca r ot e n oi dsa r ekn ownt ode c r e a s edur i n gs t or a geofpot a t ot ub e r s[ 20] .Howe v e r ,ot h e r s t udi e sha v er e por t e da ni nc r e a s ei nbe t ac a r ot e n ec on t e n twhi c hwa sa t t r i b ut e dt ot h e ma t ur i n goft h es we e tpot a t oe s[ 21,22] .I ti sge n e r a l l ykn ownt h a ti ns we e tpot a t oe s , b e t a c a r ot e n ei ss y n t h e s i z e da n da tt h es a met i mede s t r oy e di nt h er ooti t s e l fdur i n g s t or a gea n d,t h e r e f or e ,t h ef i na la moun tde pe ndsont h ea l ge b r a i cs um oft het wo pr oc e s s e s[ 23] .Th es we e tpot a t or oot ss t or e di npi t sma i n t a i ne dahi gh e ra moun tofbe t a c a r ot e n ec ompa r e dt ot h os es t or e dun de ra mbi e n ta n dda r kr ooms t or a gec on di t i ons ,a n d t hi sma yb ea t t r i b ut e dt ot h el ow t e mpe r a t ur e st h a tp r e v a i l e di nt h epi ts t or e s .Th e s t or a get e mpe r a t ur e si nt h es a wdus ts t or a gec on di t i onwe r ec l os et ot h os ei nt h epi t s . Fa c t or ss uc ha sh e a ta n dl i gh th a veb e e nobs e r ve dt opr omot ei s ome r i s a t i onoftransc a r ot e n oi dst ot h ecisf or m[ 24] .Th el owe rb e t ac a r ot e n ec on t e n ti nt h er oot ss t or e d un de ra mbi e n ta n d da r kr oom c on di t i ons ma yh a ve r e s ul t e df r om t h e hi gh e r t e mpe r a t ur e s whi c hc a us e d mor et h e r ma lde gr a da t i on .Howe v e r ,a l lt h es t or a ge c on di t i on sma i n t a i ne dmor et h a n100 g/ gdr yma t t e rofbe t ac a r ot e n e .Thi si st h el e v e l us e dbys we e tp ot a t ob r e e de r st os c r e e nf orv a r i e t i e st h a tc a nr e t a i ns uf f i c i e n tb e t a c a r ot e n ea f t e rp r oc e s s i ng[ 25] . Change si nt hein vitro be t ac ar ot e nebi oac c e s s i bi l i t yandmi c r os t r uc t ur ei ns we e t pot at or oot ss t or e dunde rdi f f e r e ntc ondi t i ons Th er e duc t i oni nbi oa c c e s s i bi l i t yofb e t ac a r ot e n ef r oms t or e dOFSPma yb ea t t r i b ut e dt o l os si nmoi s t ur ec on t e n tt h a tma yha v er e s ul t e di nh a r de ni ngoft h eOFSPc e l lwa l l s .Th e OFSPr oot st h a twe r eke ptun de rl owt e mpe r a t ur ec on di t i on sh a dhi gh e rpe r c e n tin vitro bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t yt h a nt h e on e ske pta thi gh e rt e mpe r a t ur e s .Th er a t eofc e l lwa l l t hi c ke ni ngi skn ownt ov a r ywi t hs t or a get i mea ndt e mpe r a t ur e[ 26] .Thi si sc ons i s t e n t wi t ht h ehi gh e rin vitro bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t yr e c or de di ns we e tpot a t or oot ss t or e di npi t s un de rl owe rt e mpe r a t ur e st h a nr oot ss t or e da ta mbi e n tt e mpe r a t ur e s .Th ein vitro bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t yofs we e tpot a t or oot ss t or e dun de rs a wdus twa sa l s ohi gh ,a nob s e r v a t i on a t t r i b ut e dt ot h el ow t e mpe r a t ur ea sc ompa r e dt oa mbi e n tc on di t i ons .Th ei nc r e a s e d t r a n s pi r a t i ona ta mbi e n tt e mpe r a t ur e sr e s ul t e di nl os sofmoi s t ur ef r om t h es we e tpot a t o r oot s ,a n dt hi sma yh a v ec on t r i b ut e dt ot h ei nc r e a s e dl i gni f i c a t i onob s e r v e di nt he mi c r os t r uc t u r ea n a l y s i s .Si mi l a rr e s ul t swe r er e por t e df ort r i f ol i a t ey a mt ub e r swhe r et h e t hi c ke ni ngoft h ec e l lwa l la n dmi ddl el a me l l ai nc r e a s e dwi t ht h et e mpe r a t ur eofs t or a ge [ 27] .Th el os sofmoi s t ur eofs we e tpot a t odur i n gs t or a gema yha v ei nf l ue nc e dt h e 3024 Vol ume10No.8 Augus t2010 oc c ur r e n c eofpol yme r i z a t i ona n de pi me r i z a t i onofc e l lwa l lmi c r of i br i l sl e a di ngt ot h e t hi c ke ni ng oft h ec e l lwa l l sa n ds ubs e que n tr e l e a s eofc a r ot e n oi dsdur i ng in vitro di ge s t i on .Si nc et h er a t eofmoi s t ur el os si nr oot ss t or e dun de ra mbi e n tc on di t i onswa s hi gh e r ,t h et hi c ke ni ngoft h ec e l lwa l l swa sa l s ohi gh e ra n dt e n de dt ol i mi tt h er e l e a s eof b e t ac a r ot e n edur i n gin vitro di ge s t i on . CONCLUSI ON Th el os sofb e t ac a r ot e n edur i n gs t or a geofOFSPc a nber e duc e dbyus i ngs t or a ge t e c h ni que st h a tma i n t a i nr e l a t i v e l yl ow t e mpe r a t ur e s .Amon gt h et r a di t i on a lme t h ods c ommonl yus e di nEa s tAf r i c af ors we e tpot a t os t or a ge ,pi ts t or a gema i n t a i ne db e t a c a r ot e n ec on t e n tqui t ewe l lwhi l es t or a geun de ra mbi e n tc on di t i on ss i gni f i c a n t l yr e duc e d b e t ac a r ot e n ec on t e n ta n dbi oa c c e s s i bi l i t y .Th ec ha n ge si nbe t ac a r ot e n ebi oa c c e s s i bi l i t y s e e mt oc or r e l a t ewi t hc h a n ge si nc e l lmi c r os t r uc t ur e .Ce l lwa l ll i gni f i c a t i ons e e mst ob e a s s oc i a t e dwi t hr e duc t i oni nb e t ac a r ot e n ebi oa c c e s s i bi l i t y .Thi si nf or ma t i onc oul db e us e f uli nde s i gni ngs t or a ges y s t e mst h a te n s ur ehi ghin vitro bi oa c c e s s i bi l i t ya n dc on t e n t ofb e t ac a r ot e n ei nOFSP. 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