THE ISOLATION, ANALISIS AND TESTING OF SEA BUCKTHORN CAROTENOIDS ON MURINE MACROPHAGE CULTURES IZOLAREA, ANALIZA ŞI TESTAREA CAROTENOIDELOR DIN CĂTINĂ PE CULTURI DE MACROFAGE MURINE

Our aim was to characterize a sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) fruit carotenoidic extract and evaluate its influence on macrophage phagocytic response given that carotenoids function as antioxidants. Carotenoids were isolated, saponified and analysed using HPLC before and after saponification. Murine peritoneal macrophages were cultured in medium containing carotenoidic extract. Carotenoid influence on phagocytosis was assessed by calculating the phagocytic index (PI %) and mean phagocytosis (MP). The positive significant differences (p<0,05) picture carotenoid ability to enhance cell phagocytic activity.