Effect of β-carotene on vitamin A light stability in fortified milk

The effect of incorporation of β-carotene into the carrier system on the light stability of all-trans retinyl palmitate in fortified skim milk was investigated. Skim milk was fortified with all-trans retinyl palmitate using corn oil with and without added β-carotene as the vitamin carrier. Two levels of β-carotene were used, one similar to, the other half the concentration of vitamin A in the carrier system. After homogenization and pasteurization, fortified milk samples were exposed to fluorescent light (1614 lx) at 4°C in glass tubes. Less light degradation of all-trans retinyl palmitate occurred in samples containing added β-carotene in the carrier systems compared to samples without added β-carotene. The β-carotene content of fortified milk samples showed only a slight decrease over the four-day period of exposure.