GOJI: A PRECIOUS CONCENTRATE OF BETA-CAROTENE

Goji or Wolfberry is the fruit of Lycium babarum, shrub of the family Solanaceae. They are orange red coloured little oval berries, 1 to 2 cm in size. They are from Asian counties particularly China and Tibet. They are traditionally used for their beneficial effects on liver function and kidney as well as vision. They are presented fresh, dried or juice and are widely recognized by the public as a "super fruit" due to the high nutritional and health advantages.

Goji owes its colour to its richness in carotenoids (0.03 to 0, 5% of the dry fruit), a family of fat-soluble pigments easily assimilated by the body. Of a total of 11 free compounds and esters 7 were detected in extracts of Goji, the main ones being zeaxanthin, lutein (an isomer) and beta-carotene (a derivative).

The advantage of Goji may lie in its particular source of beta-carotene (> 19.6 mg/100g). It is an orange coloured compound found in many fruit and vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, apricots, lettuce ... As a complement to a balanced diet, it is therefore the subject of much research.

Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A (or retinol). This vitamin is important for vision, healthy skin and mucosal protection. It is therefore essential to the body as it is not known to synthesize. Thus, beta-carotene ingested is stored in the liver and is split into two molecules of vitamin A. Its conversion rate by the human body is very high (2 mg of beta-carotene provides 1 mg of vitamin A).

The recommended intake of beta carotene is estimated at 2 mg / d, The Goji proposed by La Panacée des Plantes (dried, enriched or juice ) is a great way to meet this need and, in particular, to maintain good health capital.