Effect of Fruit and Vegetable Intake on Skin Carotenoid Detected by Non-Invasive Raman Spectroscopy
Sanguansak Rerksuppaphol MD*, Lakkana Rerksuppaphol MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University ** Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University
Background : Epidemiologic studies found the inverse correlation between fruit and vegetable intake and
the risk of cardiovascular disease, various cancers, insulin resistance, and other chronic conditions. Skin
carotenoid levels are highly correlated with serum levels; however, the direct measurement of skin carotenoids
is difficult to perform. Raman spectroscopy has been described as a highly sensitive, specific and accurate
method of skin carotenoid detection.
Objective : The authors assessed the relation between fruit and vegetable intake and skin carotenoid levels
measured by Raman spectroscopy.
Materials and Methods : Twenty-nine healthy volunteers were enrolled in the present study. Demographic data
and fruit and vegetable intake were recorded. Skin carotenoid levels were measured by Raman spectroscopy
and were reported as Skin Carotenoid Score (SCS). The data were compared and were reported as 3 groups
based on the amounts of fruit and vegetable intake.
Results : There were no significant differences of age, body weight, height and body mass index among the
groups. Mean skin carotenoid score of low fruit and vegetable intake (25,733 + 2,956) was significantly
lower than SCS of moderate intake (31,333 + 4,792, p = 0.03) and high fruit and vegetable intake (35,125
+ 6,081, p < 0.01). Mean SCS of underweight participants (29,250 + 4,621) was not significantly different
from normal (33,384 + 6,614) and overweight participants (27,575 + 3,811), p = 0.06.
Conclusion : Using Raman spectroscopy, the authors found that skin carotenoid levels were directly correlated
with the degree of fruit and vegetable intakes. We suggest that Raman spectroscopy should be possible to
replace the invasive chemical technique for the dermatologic carotenoid measurement.
Keywords : Carotenoid, Fruit and vegetable, Raman spectroscopy, Skin
