Comparative Stability of Carotenoids in Grass-Fed and Grain-Fed Milk: Impact of Thermal Processing and the Protective Role of the Milk Matrix.

Xinyue Xu, Xiaoyu Chen, Xin Song, Zhiqiang Xiong, Hui Zhang, Yijin Yang, Yang Yang, Lianzhong Ai, Guangqiang Wang

Abstract readComparative Study

In one paragraph

Article in Journal of food science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Xinyue XuSchool of Health Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0504-3400

Xiaoyu ChenSchool of Health Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.

Xin SongSchool of Health Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.

Zhiqiang XiongSchool of Health Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.

Hui ZhangSchool of Health Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.

Yijin YangSchool of Health Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.

Yang YangCollege of Food Engineering, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin, China.

Lianzhong AiSchool of Health Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.

Guangqiang WangSchool of Health Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.

Funding

National Key Research & Development Program of China 2022YFD2100701Shanghai Agriculture Applied Technology Development Program 2024-02-08-00-12-F00040Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology 19DZ2281100Shanghai Municipal Education CommissionShuguang Program of the Shanghai Education Development Foundation

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Carotenoids in milk are essential micronutrients, yet their stability remains a challenge during industrial processing. This study systematically evaluated the thermal and storage stability of lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene in grass-fed and grain-fed milk. The results demonstrated that grass-fed milk tested in this study provided significantly superior protection for endogenous carotenoids during both pasteurization (65°C for 30 min) and accelerated storage (45°C) compared to grain-fed milk. Zeaxanthin showed the highest rate of loss over time, whereas β-carotene exhibited the highest stability. Evaluation of different milk processing technologies revealed that advanced methods, such as ceramic membrane filtration and direct steam injection, preserved carotenoid integrity more effectively than traditional high-temperature treatment. The enhanced stability observed in the tested grass-fed milk sample is hypothesized to be associated with its unique matrix composition, particularly the combined protective effects of high concentrations of lipid and protein, which may potentially form protective hydrophobic environments and barriers. These findings highlight the critical role of milk matrix composition in preserving fat-soluble bioactive compounds during thermal processing and storage.

Indexed as

Animal FeedCarotenoidsEdible GrainFood HandlingMilkPoaceaeAnimalsbeta CaroteneCattleFood StorageHot TemperatureLuteinPasteurizationZeaxanthinsbeta CaroteneCarotenoidsLuteinZeaxanthinscarotenoidsgrass‐fed milkmilk matrix effectsthermal and storage stability

Identifiers

PMID42751798

DOI10.1111/1750-3841.71496

PMCPMC13583909

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.