THE POTENTIALITY OF ß- CAROTENE AS FREE RADICAL SCAVENGER: A STUDY OF THE RAISE OF SUPEROXIDE PRODUCTION IN MITOCHONDRIAL LYMPHOCYTE

This is a study on carotenoid extracted from ‘Minyak Buah Merah’ (Pandanus conoideus) in therapy simulation using high dose of β-carotene on two lymphocytes—that of a healthy subject and a leukemia patient. Superoxide production in mithocondrial lymphocyte as a result of β-carotene exposure was examined using a flow cytometer. The test finds that superoxide (a specific mitochondrial free radical) increases easier and faster in leukemic lymphocytes than in normal lymphocytes. The results of the study support previous meta-analysis studies that high dosages of β-carotene and vitamin E supplements as antioxidant should be discouraged because it increases all-cause mortality.