Carotenoids, Polysaccharides Enhance Immune Function

TANTA, EgyptAdding the carotenoids, phycocyanin (a blue-green pigment) and polysaccharides to food as additives may enhance the human immune response against microbial infections, according to a recent study at Tanta University (Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2010;55(1):61-7). Enhancement of the immune response leading to protection against bacterial and fungal infections was shown using different schedules of immunization with microbial pigments and a polysaccharide. The group of mice given carotenoids of Rhodotorula glutinis (preparation I) and polysaccharide of Spitulina platensis (IV) survived for two weeks after Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The groups of mice given carotenoids (I), polysaccharide (IV), I+IV and with the crude phycocyanin of S. platensis (III)+IV survived for two weeks after Candida albicans infection. All other groups recorded a maximum level of mortality reaching two mice per group either after immunization or post-infection.