Vitamins and carotenoids: nutrition and biological activity (VITA-CAROT)

Research lines: - Carotenoids and fat soluble vitamins: analysis, nutritional status and bioavailability in humans. - Lutein: intake, biomarkers of status and visual function. Interactions. - Biomarkers of carotenoids: methodological and biological validation. - Functional foods: design and effects assessment in humans. Skills: - Analysis of carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and their isomers) and vitamins A and E (alpha- gamma- and delta-tocopherol) en foods and biological samples. - Intervention studies in humans (control and patients) with active components or with foods: design, development and analysis of biomarkers (oxidative damage, antioxidant status, visual function and cardiovascular risk factors) and interactions. - Bioavailability (in vivo) and bioaccesibility (in ivitro) studies.