Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology

Blood carotenoid concentration is considered the golden standard for fruit and vegetable (F&V) intakes, but this method is invasive and expensive. Recently, skin carotenoid status (SCS) measured by optical sensors has been evaluated as a promising method for estimating F&V intake. This cross-sectional study aimed to validate the utility of SCS assessed by resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) as a biomarker for F&V intake in Korean adults. We used data from 108 participants aged 20~69 years who completed SCS measurements, blood collection, and 3-day dietary records. SCS was measured using the RRS, serum carotenoid concentrations were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography, and dietary intakes of carotenoids and F&V were estimated by 3-day dietary records with a carotenoid database for common Korean foods. The validity of SCS was examined by the correlation analyses with serum carotenoid concentrations and dietary intakes of carotenoids and F&V. SCS was positively correlated with total serum carotenoids (r=0.52, P<0.001), serum β-carotene (r=0.60, P<0.001), total carotenoid intake (r=0.20, P<0.05), β-carotene intake (r=0.30, P<0.01), and F&V intake (r=0.40, P<0.001). These results support that the SCS can be a valid biomarker for F&V intake in Korean adults.