Kinetic characteristics of β-carotene uptake after an injection of β-carotene in pigs

Chew, Boon P.; Wong, Teri S.; Michal, Jennifer J.; Standaert, F. E.; Heirman, L. R.

doi:10.2527/1991.69124883x

Cited by 13 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 7 publications

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“…Also, pigs, chickens, rabbits and other white-fat animals efficiently convert beta-carotene to retinol, i.e. only small amounts of intact beta-carotene are available and found in plasma and tissues (Ullrey, 1972;Chew et al, 1984Chew et al, , 1991Erdman et al, 1986;Poor et al, 1987;Ben-Amotz et al, 1989;Mokady et al, 1990;Chew, 1993a;Yap et al, 1997;Slifka et al, 1999;Schweigert et al, 2001). The cat absorbs only intact beta-carotene and is not able to convert beta-carotene into retinol (Chew et al, 2000a(Chew et al, , 2001Schweigert et al, 2002).…”

Section: Metabolic Pathways Of Beta-carotenementioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of beta‐carotene as a feed additive for all animal species and categories

2012

EFS2

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The use of beta‐carotene is safe for the target animals. Setting a maximum content in feed legislation is not considered necessary. However, this conclusion assumes that triphenylphosphine oxide does not exceed 100 mg/kg additive. In all food‐producing animals (except veal calves) and laboratory rodents, beta‐carotene is almost fully metabolised. In contrast, humans, non‐human primates and ferrets absorb relatively high quantities of beta‐carotene unchanged. Investigations with ferrets and hamsters as well as intervention studies in humans may indicate a certain dose‐dependent potential of beta‐carotene to promote lung carcinoma, particularly in smokers. A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis of nine randomised controlled trials demonstrated an increased risk of lung and stomach cancers in smokers and asbestos workers at dose levels ≥ 20 mg/day. However, increased risk of lung cancer at such doses could be observed only if plasma levels of beta‐carotene exceeded 3 µmol/L. The FEEDAP Panel considers it prudent, in the absence of an acceptable daily intake, that supplemental beta‐carotene in animal feed should not significantly add to consumer exposure from other sources. The use of supplemental beta‐carotene in feeds of food‐producing animals, except veal calves, would not result in a significant additional exposure of consumers to beta‐carotene; however, consumption of liver from veal calves could lead to additional exposure. Beta‐carotene is not an irritant to eyes or skin and is not a skin sensitiser. Respiratory exposure from handling beta‐carotene‐containing additives is considered potentially hazardous. Taking the widespread occurrence of beta‐carotene in nature and its oxidative susceptibility into account, the FEEDAP Panel considered it unlikely that the use of beta‐carotene in animal nutrition at the recommended feed concentrations would pose a risk to the environment. Beta‐carotene is utilised for the synthesis of retinol in almost all animal species except the cat. Effects on reproduction and immunity were not sufficiently demonstrated.

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