Comparison of different cutaneous carotenoid sensors and influence of age, skin type, and kinetic changes subsequent to intake of a vegetable extract

Abstract

In the last decade, cutaneous carotenoid measurements have become increasingly popular, as carotenoids were found to be a biomarker of nutrition rich in fruits and vegetables, permitting monitoring of the influence of various stress factors. For such measurements, in addition to the specific and selective resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS), newly developed low expensive small and mobile sensors that are based on spatially resolved reflectance spectroscopy (SRRS) are used for cutaneous carotenoid measurements. Human volunteers of different age exhibiting skin types I to III were investigated using RRS and two SRRS-based sensors to determine the influence of these parameters on the measuring results. In two studies on volunteers of either the same age or skin type, however, the respective other parameter being varied and no significant influences of age or skin type could be detected. Furthermore, the kinetic changes resulting from the intake and discontinued intake of a vegetable extract rich in carotenoids showed a good correlation among the three sensors and with the detected blood carotenoids. This illustrates that the SRRS-based sensors and RRS device provide reliable cutaneous carotenoid values independent of age and skin types I to III of the volunteers.

Skin Carotenoid Level as an Alternative Marker of Serum Total Carotenoid Concentration and Vegetable Intake Correlates with Biomarkers of Circulatory Diseases and Metabolic Syndrome

“…Skin carotenoid levels were measured using a Multiple Spatially Resolved Reflection Spectroscopy Sensor (Biozoom Services GmbH, Kassel, Germany) based on the RS method [ 22 ]. Light at 350–1000 nm was provided via 118 LED light emitters in 16 steps, and the sensor detected light reflected by the skin at 152 light-sensitive areas.…”

“…In recent years, techniques using a reflective spectrophotometry (RS) have been developed and are highly correlated with the RRS method [ 20 , 21 ]. Intake of carotenoid-rich beverages, supplements, and foods increases the dermal carotenoid levels measured via RS [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Thus, RS may enable estimating vegetable and fruit intake.…”

Analysis of the Status of the Cutaneous Endogenous and Exogenous Antioxidative System of Smokers and the Short-Term Effect of Defined Smoking Thereon

“…To determine the exogenous AOs β-carotene and lycopene in skin, a prototype of a resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) system produced in house was used. This RRS technique has been applied by Darvin et al in numerous studies [25,26]. An argon laser was used: at a wavelength of 514 nm, predominantly the lycopene is excited, while the β-carotene is excited at 488 nm [25] (Figure 2).…”

An updated review of clinical methods in the assessment of ageing skin – New perspectives and evaluation for claims support

“…Human skin contains various antioxidants in order to counteract free radical production caused by both internal and external stress factors. Protection mechanisms via topical or oral application such as carotenoids are known to be highly concentrated in the stratum corneum and can serve as marker substances for the complete antioxidant status of the human epidermis . There is a general consensus that antioxidants help fight free radical damage and can help maintain healthy skin, by affecting intracellular signalling pathways involved in skin damage and helping to protect against photo‐damage, as well as preventing wrinkles and inflammation .…”

“…There are also some epidemiology findings that suggest that dietary intake plays an important role in skin wrinkling . Protection mechanisms via topical or oral application such as carotenoids are known to be highly concentrated in the stratum corneum and can serve as marker substances for the complete antioxidant status of the human epidermis . MSRRS is a sound‐validated method for assessing the content of carotenoids in the skin as a marker of the skins antioxidant integrity.…”