Temperature and storage time increase provitamin A carotenoid concentrations and bioaccessibility in post-harvest carrots

International audienceThe aim was to enhance provitamin A carotenoid (proVA CAR) concentrations and bioaccessibility in carrots by manipulating post-harvest factors. To that end, we assessed the effects of Ultraviolet-C light, pulsed light, storage temperature, and storage duration. We also measured CAR bioaccessibility by using an in vitro model. Pulsed light, but not Ultraviolet-C, treatment increased proVA CAR concentrations in the cortex tissue (p<0.05). Longer storage times and higher temperatures also increased concentrations (p<0.05). The maximal increase induced by pulsed light was obtained after treatment with 20 kJ/m 2 and 3-days of storage at 20°C. However, the positive effect induced by pulsed light decreased considerably over the next seven days. ProVA CAR in carrots with the highest concentrations also proved to be more bioaccessible (p