Hygienic evaluation of the inclusion of β-cryptoxanthin sources in the diet

Introduction. β-cryptoxanthin is a vitamin А precursor. Sources with high levels of β-cryptoxanthin are pepper varieties (red, cayenne, chili, paprika), persimmon, papaya, sweet red pepper.

The aim of the study is a hygienic assessment of the structure of food sources of β-cryptoxanthin in the diet and the frequency of their use. The tasks of the study are to assess the frequency of inclusion of food sources of β-cryptoxanthin in the diet in different seasons; to identify food sources of β-cryptoxanthin that are absent in the diet of respondents.

Materials and methods. A frequency method was used to assess the frequency of inclusion of food sources of β-cryptoxanthin in the diet. An online questionnaire was specially developed. The survey was based on the Google forms platform in the summer-autumn and in the winter. The study involved two hundred eighty two respondents.

Results. More than a third of respondents’ weekly diet includes fresh red sweet pepper, paprika, and red pepper spices. Reliable seasonal differences in the inclusion of β-cryptoxanthin food sources in the diet were found for persimmons, oranges, tangerines, corn, Sriracha sauce, nectarines and apricots. Among the available sources of β-cryptoxanthin in the diet of most respondents are absent or rarely present orange-grapefruit juice, peaches, nectarines, apricots, watermelon, prunes, jalapeno and chili peppers, sauces, and cayenne pepper spice.

Limitations. The limitations of this study are the age group analyzed (students) and the region of observation (Moscow and the Moscow region).

Conclusion. Common food sources of β-cryptoxanthin include fresh and cooked red, yellow, and green sweet peppers; paprika, red pepper, and chili pepper spices; potato chips; orange juice; dried cilantro; hot pepper sauce; coriander; peaches. Seasonal sources include nectarines and apricots in the summer and fall; and persimmons, oranges, tangerines, corn, and Sriracha sauce in the winter. A number of readily available food sources of β-cryptoxanthin are absent from the diets in most respondents or are included in them sporadically.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the local ethical committee of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University) (meeting protocol No. 03-20 dated 13/02/2020), and was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Declaration of Helsinki for physicians conducting medical and biological research involving human subjects (as amended 2013).

Contribution:
Kirpichenkova E.V. – the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, writing text;
Korolev A.A. – the concept and design of the study, editing text;
Nikitenko E.I. – collection and processing of material, editing text;
Denisova E.L. – collection and processing of material;
Onishchenko G.G. – scientific consulting.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: November 11, 2025 / Accepted: March 24, 2026 / Published: May 18, 2026

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