In vivo Raman spectroscopic analysis of the influence of IR radiation on the carotenoid antioxidant substances beta-carotene and lycopene in the human skin. Formation of free radicals

Resonance Raman spectroscopy was used as a fast and non-invasive optical method for the determination of the influence of IR radiation on the degradation of carotenoid antioxidant substances beta-carotene and lycopene in the human skin. It was found that the beta-carotene and lycopene concentration in the skin are decreased almost immediately subsequent to IR irradiation. The magnitude of degradation of carotenoids in the skin was determined at 27% for beta-carotene and 38% for lycopene on average. A strong correlation between the individual level of beta-carotene and lycopene in the skin of volunteers and the magnitude of destruction of carotenoids beta-carotene and lycopene in the skin was found to be R-2 = 0.78 and R-2 = 0.89 correspondingly. Taking into consideration the absence of absorption in the infrared range of spectra and the relative heat stability of carotenoids up to 50 degrees C, the action of free radicals, which can be produced subsequent to IR irradiation in the skin, can be the main purpose for the degradation of carotenoid substances in the skin.