Antioxidant Carotenoids Research Articles

Effect of Diet and Supplementation on Serum Vitamin C Concentration and Antioxidant Activity in Dialysis Patients.

Loss of vitamin C, especially in conjunction with an inadequate supply, can lead to decreased plasma concentrations of vitamin C. This in turn can lead to overt or subclinical deficiency. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of diet and supplementation on vitamin C concentrations and serum antioxidant activity (FRAP) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Sixty-eight HD patients participated in the study. In all of them, the diet was initially determined, and they were divided into five groups according to the diet and supplementation used. Group 1 received an unchanged diet, considered by them to be optimal; in group 2, the standard diet used in HD patients was introduced; in group 3, a standard diet enriched with natural antioxidants was employed; in group 4, a standard diet as in group 2 was used, but enriched with supplements (vitamin C, vitamin E, Se, and Zn). In contrast, group 5 consisted of HD patients with coexisting diabetes. Vitamin C serum levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography HPLC and antioxidant activity by The Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma FRAP. The study shows that a well-chosen diet can slow the build-up of malnutrition and increase antioxidant activity as measured by the FRAP method in the blood of hemodialysis patients. Vitamin C supplementation can improve antioxidant status in hemodialysis patients. * The results presented in this paper complement our study, which assessed the effect of diet on the activity of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes: Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), but also on the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants (tocopherols, carotenoids, and vitamin C) in hemodialysis patients. In the study, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were assessed as an indicator of oxidative damage.

Role of Moringa oleifera Lam. in cancer: Phytochemistry and pharmacological insights

AbstractMoringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera), aka “Shigru,” “mother's best friend,” “miracle tree,” “horseradish tree,” “drumstick tree,” and “oil tree,” native of the sub‐Himalayan region of northern India, belongs to the Moringaceae family. The high nutritional value of M. oleifera makes it suitable for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. Because of its chemical constituents, M. oleifera is used to treat and combat malnutrition, especially in infants and nursing mothers. These days, herbal medicine and its phytocompound derivatives are also being recognized as effective complementary therapies for cancer treatment. So, in this study, M. oleifera is reviewed for its anticancer property. By thoroughly scanning the PubMed, Embase, SinoMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases, an extensive up‐to‐date report on its ethnomedicinal use, nutritional, phytochemistry, and pharmacotherapeutic potential is done. It has valuable nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, iron, calcium, antioxidants (flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenols) and ascorbic acid. Additionally, it is used as an antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antidiabetic agent. There are also concrete evidence that this plant's bioactive constituents, numerous extracts have a high biopotential in a number of cancer cells, through its antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, antiproliferative, and cell cycle arresting properties. This extensive literature review will provide insights into several mechanisms and signaling pathways of its various phytoconstituents that can mitigate the growth of cancer cells in various experimental models, safety and toxicity concerns, and drug–drug interactions.

An Investigation into Apricot Pulp Waste as a Source of Antioxidant Polyphenols and Carotenoid Pigments

The interest in extracting bioactive compounds from food processing waste is growing unabated. Apricots are widely consumed worldwide, and many tons of waste are produced annually. Therefore, apricot pulp waste (APW) may serve as a rich source of bioactive compounds. In the present study, we investigated the extraction of antioxidant polyphenols and carotenoid pigments from APW. In both cases, a response surface methodology was employed, so as to optimize the extraction parameters. As regards polyphenols, it was found that optimum extraction yield (i.e., 28.6 mg gallic acid equivalents per g of dry weight) was achieved using a deep eutectic solvent (comprised of glycerol, citric acid, and L-proline at a molar ratio of 2:1:1), a liquid-to-solid ratio of 100 mL/g, and heating at 80 °C for 155 min. Similarly, optimum extraction of carotenoids (171.2 mg β-carotene equivalents per 100 g of dry weight) was achieved by extracting APW with an n-hexane: acetone: ethanol (2:1:1, v/v/v) mixture at 47 °C for 60 min. The proposed methods were highly efficient and can serve as an alternative to conventional methods employed to date.

Changes in Quercetin Derivatives and Antioxidant Activity in Marigold Petals (Tagetes patula L.) Induced by Ultraviolet-B Irradiation and Methyl Jasmonate.

Marigold petals contain numerous antioxidative flavonoids and carotenoids that can be affected by environmental stressors. There is yet no detailed study on the relationship between phytochemical accumulation and stressors in marigold petals. This study evaluated quercetin derivatives and antioxidant activity in marigold petals in response to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. The limiting UV-B radiation intensity and MeJA dose that caused no wilting damage under 1-h daily treatment for 10 days were <2 W∙m-2∙s-1 and <10 mM, respectively. Marigold petals contained three major flavonoids, quercetin-7-O-glucoside (Q7G, 6.6 mg∙g-1dw), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (Q3G, 62.7 mg), and quercetin (26.6 mg), possessing different antioxidant potential and exhibiting the highest power in quercetin and next value in Q7G. Single UV-B irradiation exerted a limited effect on the changes in the content of the three quercetin derivatives, whereas combined treatment with 1 W UV-B radiation and 5 mM MeJA resulted in the highest total quercetin content, showing >20% increase compared to that without treatment. This increase primarily resulted in an increase in quercetin content. MeJA treatment positively affected the increase in Q3G and Q7G contents in a dose-dependent manner during the 10-d experimental period but exerted no considerable effect on quercetin accumulation. The antioxidant activity was increased when flowers were exposed to mild MeJA treatment of 5-10 mM. UV-B irradiation decreased the antioxidant activity of marigold petals, but this decrease could be compensated by MeJA treatment.

Comparison of Antioxidant Activities and Carotenoid Contents Between Marketable and Unmarketable Sweet Pepper Fruits

Comparison of Antioxidant Activities and Carotenoid Contents Between Marketable and Unmarketable Sweet Pepper Fruits

34 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERUM CAROTENOID CONCENTRATIONS AND FRAILTY, PROBABLE SARCOPENIA, AND PHYSICAL FUNCTION IN THE IRISH LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON AGEING (TILDA)

Abstract Background Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory carotenoids derived from foods such as fruit and vegetables. Serum concentrations of Lutein (Ls) and Zeaxanthin (Zs) reflect habitual dietary intake. This study examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between Ls and Zs and frailty, probable sarcopenia, and indices of physical function in TILDA. Methods The cross-sectional analysis included n=4672 community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years with Ls and Zs at Wave 1 (2010). For the longitudinal analyses, changes in usual gait speed (at Wave 3, 2014), grip strength (Wave 4, 2016) and Timed Up-and-Go (TUG; Wave 5, 2018), incident probable sarcopenia (defined as grip strength <27 kg in men, <16 kg in women, at Wave 4) and incident frailty (Fried, at Wave 5) were determined. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, waist circumference, education, malnutrition, smoking, chronic disease, alcohol intake and physical activity. Results Cross-sectionally, Ls and Zs were positively associated with gait speed (B [95% CI] per 100-nmol/L higher concentration: Ls 0.67 [0.22, 1.12], Zs 1.3 [0.21, 2.48] cm/s) and inversely associated with TUG time (Ls –0.07 [-0.11, –0.02], Zs –0.14 [-0.25, –0.03] s) and with frailty (OR: Ls 0.61 [0.42, 0.87], Zs 0.23 [0.08, 0.68]), all p <0.05), but not with grip strength or probable sarcopenia. Longitudinally, Ls was inversely associated incident frailty (OR 0.85 [0.04, 0.84], p=0.03), whereas Zs was not (0.83 [0.56, 1.23], p=0.36). Neither Ls or Zs were related to changes in physical function measures or incident probable sarcopenia (p>0.05). Conclusion Cross-sectionally, lower Ls and Zs were independently associated with frailty, slower gait speed and worse TUG performance. However, Wave 1 Ls and Zs were not predictive of changes in these outcomes over 4-8 years of follow up, with the exception of Ls which was inversely associated with incident frailty after 8 years.

Astaxanthin Is Able to Prevent Alcohol-Induced Dysfunction of Liver Mitochondria.

The search for new targets for the pathological action of ethanol remains an urgent task of biomedicine. Since degenerative changes in the liver are associated with the development of oxidative stress, antioxidants are promising agents for the treatment of alcohol-related diseases. In this work, we studied the ability of the carotenoid antioxidant, astaxanthin (AX), to prevent ethanol-induced changes in the liver of rats. It was shown that AX is able to protect the structure of mitochondria from degenerative changes caused by ethanol to improve mitochondrial functions. AX positively influences the activity and expression of proteins of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and ATPase. In addition, a protective effect of AX on the rate and activity of mitochondrial respiration was demonstrated in the work. Thus, studies have shown that AX is involved in protective mechanisms in response to ethanol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

SEED PRIMING EFFECTS ON SEED QUALITY AND ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM IN THE SEEDLINGS OF AMARANTHUS TRICOLOR L.

Amaranthus tricolor L. cv. ‘Valentina’ leaves are a promising source of dietary food supplements (DFS) and are used to prepare tea drinks that improve human health in Russia. Amaranth is a small-seeded crop, and the seed mass differs significantly, which leads to unfriendly shoots and a decrease in the potential productivity of the plant biomass. Pre-sowing treatment with growth stimulants can improve its seed quality. The study aimed to improve the seed quality, the morpho-physiological parameters, and the antioxidant properties of amaranth seedlings grown from seeds treated with plant growth stimulants at the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVC), Moscow, Russia. For seed treatments, water solutions of salicylic acid (SA - 138 mg/L), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 - 5 mM), succinic acid (ScA - 500 mg/L), calcium chloride (CaCl2 - 3000 mg/L), and gibberellic acid (GA3 - 300 mg/L) were used. Researchers germinated the seeds first in petri dishes in natural light at a daytime temperature of 23±2°C for seven days. Determining amaranthine, chlorophyll, and carotenoid content used generally accepted methods. Pre-sowing treatment of large and small fractions of amaranth seeds with GA3, ScA, and CaCl2 improved the seed quality, whereas seed treatment of SA and H2O2 reduced the seed quality. Recording of antioxidants (amaranthine and carotenoids) and total chlorophyll content accumulation in seedlings grown from the treated seeds followed. The levels of amaranthine and photosynthetic pigments decreased in the seedlings of Amaranthus tricolor L. cv. Valentina seeds with ScA, CaCl2, and GA3 treatments, while the seedling's biomass exceeded that of control, which suggests that these chemicals act as growth regulators. The negative effect of SA on the viability of large (LF) and small (SF) amaranth seeds showed significant reductions in the morphometric indicators. It may be due to oxidative stress, enhancing amaranthine content in the cotyledonary leaves of seedlings.

Elucidating how the chemical-nutritional composition of tomato is affected by the environment, season, and growing system

Tomatoes play an important nutritional role due to the chemical-nutritional composition of this fruit, and its common use in dishes and food products. Its fruits provide pronounced antioxidant properties to the human diet, because of the presence of vitamin C, carotenogenic compounds such as lycopene and β-carotene, and phytochemicals such as flavonoids. Despite this, the antioxidant function and carotenoid levels in tomato may present significant differences depending on the system of cultivation, growing season, and environment in which this vegetable is cultivated. In light of this, this study aimed to assess the effects of the cultivation system known as “Viçosa”, in relation to traditional tomato cultivation systems, over two seasons. This assessment was done both under field conditions and in a controlled environment. The nutritional aspects of the fruits, such as the levels of phenolic compounds, lycopene, beta-carotene, and antioxidant activity, were analyzed. The controlled environment in the autumn-winter season, associated with the Viçosa cultivation system, facilitated increases in the lycopene content. Furthermore, field cultivation provided an increase of 68% and 38% in the total phenolic concentration in tomato fruits, in the spring-summer and autumn-winter seasons, respectively. Field cultivation also provided an increase of 31% in the antioxidant activity of the fruits, compared with that of the controlled cultivation, in the autumn-winter season. The increase in the levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity of fruits due to cultivation in the field represents an advantage as cultivation in this environment has a lower cost than cultivation in a controlled environment. The cultivation systems did not influence the chemical-nutritional aspects of fruits; moreover, the Viçosa system brings together aspects such as high productivity and profitability, without compromising the chemical-nutritional aspects of the fruits, thereby configuring a promising system for tomato production.

Biochemical Characteristics and Elemental Composition Peculiarities of Rheum tataricum L. in Semi-Desert Conditions and of European Garden Rhubarb

Biochemical and mineral peculiarities of plants inhabiting desert and semi-desert areas may provide important information about the mechanism of their adaptability and reveal the prospects of their utilization. Rheum tataricum L., known for its high tolerance to drought, salinity, and nutritional deficiency, is the least studied species of wild rhubarb. Using biochemical and ICP-MS analysis, the antioxidant status and mineral composition of R. tataricum were determined. Extremely high levels of antioxidant activity (148–155 mg GAE g−1 d.w.), polyphenols (24.6–25.1 mg GAE g−1 d.w.) and carotenoids (1.94 mg-eq β-carotene g−1 d.w.) were revealed in roots, proline in leaves (71.1 ± 6.2 mg kg−1 d.w.) and malic acid in stems (3.40 ± 0.50 mg g−1 d.w.). Compared to garden rhubarb, R. tataricum demonstrated significant root–leaves translocation of Li, Se, Si, and Mo, known to participate in plant antioxidant defense. Under high levels of Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Cr and Si in soil, R. tataricum demonstrated the ability to significantly increase the accumulation of these elements in roots, showing a hyperaccumulation ability for Sr. The first broad picture of R. tataricum biochemical and mineral characteristics in semi-desert habitat and its nutritional value indicate the prospects of R. tataricum utilization in plant breeding, medicine, and nutrition.

Extensive cross-talk among stress-regulated protective metabolites, biogenic-amines and phytohormone-signalling, co-ordinated by dopamine-mediated seed-priming, governs tolerance against fluoride stress in rice.

Seed priming with dopamine reduced fluoride bioaccumulation, induced endogenous dopamine level, thereby orchestrating phytohormone homeostasis and biogenic amine metabolism, and modulating osmolyte and antioxidant machinery to enhance fluoride tolerance in rice. The aim of this study was to decipher the efficacy of seed priming with dopamine in curtailing the adverse impacts of fluoride toxicity in rice seedlings. Fluoride-stressed seedlings exhibited severe growth retardation, high fluoride bioaccumulation, electrolyte leakage and marked cellular injuries. Dopamine priming stimulated the overall physiological growth parameters during stress, via reduced formation of H2O2, malondialdehyde and methylglyoxal, due to lesser fluoride-accumulation. Fluoride stress-induced endogenous dopamine level was further induced upon dopamine priming, marked by the up regulated DOPA decarboxylase expression. Additionally, dopamine treatment led to escalated activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the stressed seedlings, concomitant with altered CAT, SOD and GPX expression. The higher accumulation of protective osmolytes (proline and total amino acids) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, glutathione and carotenoids), upon dopamine priming, during fluoride stress, could be linked with the altered expression pattern of the respective genes. Dopamine promoted active utilization of the biogenic amine (polyamines and ϒ-amino butyric acid) pools for toxicity mitigation, correlated with the modulation of the concerned enzyme activity and gene expression. Dopamine stimulated the accumulation of phytohormones like gibberellin and salicylic acid, via inducing the biosynthetic genes like gibberellin-3-oxidase (GA3ox) and isochorismate synthase (ICS), respectively, while depreciating the abscisic acid and melatonin level during fluoride stress. To our knowledge, this is the first documented report for the remedial role of dopamine priming against fluoride stress in any plant species. This study will open new arenas in sustainable agriculture for the exploitation of this pulsating biomolecule against fluoride stress.

Lycopene: A Natural Antioxidant Carotenoids against Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease, as a common disease worldwide, is well known to the public because its risk factors are closely related to people's daily life and its prevalence is increasing year by year. At the same time, with the rise of supplements, lycopene has become an important ingredient in some supplements. Lycopene is contained in a series of edible plants and can also be obtained physically extraction or chemically synthesis. In recent years, the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of lycopene were confirmed, and scientists have illustrated some links between lycopene and cardiovascular disease. Although there have been studies on the physical benefits of lycopene in people, few articles have fully addressed the mechanisms by which lycopene prevents cardiovascular disease. Starting from the structure of lycopene and the etiology of cardiovascular diseases, this paper comprehensively analyzed the mechanism of lycopene preventing cardiovascular diseases in different ways. The food sources of lycopene are briefly explained in order to provide a clearer food choice for the population. The reasons for the differences in lycopene bioactivity and absorption were also mentioned. In order to scientifically explain the effect of lycopene supplementation on cardiovascular disease, differences were also shown before and after lycopene supplementation.

Physiological changes and rate of resistance of Acrosiphonia arcta (Dillwyn) Gain upon exposure to diesel fuel

The changes in the morpho-physiological state of green alga Acrosiphonia arcta upon exposure to diesel fuel (DF) at concentrations of 20; 100; 1,000; 2,000; 3,000 of maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) were studied. The main physiological stress markers, such as enzymes of the antioxidant system (AOS), non-enzymatic antioxidants (carotenoids) and free amino acids (as components of plant metabolome) were measured. In general, all concentrations of the petroleum product used changed the activity of the antioxidant system, changed the intensity of physiological processes (photosynthesis, free amino acid synthesis) and also affected the structure of microbiomes inhabiting the surface of algae.It was shown that the concentration of DF within 1 mg/l (20 MPC) was not lethal as plants were able to maintain physiological activity and the observed changes were reversible.Although DF exposure caused decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, proline concentration and photosynthetic rate, increases in catalase activity and pigment concentration were observed. After the effects of stress disappeared, most physiological parameters were restored, except for carotenoid content.Higher DF concentrations (100 MPC and higher) caused injury to cell structures and damage to the pigment apparatus. The restoration of functions after the termination of exposure to stress was not achieved. Epiphytic bacterial communities actively responded both to the introduction of a toxicant and to the changing physiological parameters of algae by the change in the numbers of cultured heterotrophic bacteria. The results of this study showed that the concentration of petroleum products in the water decreased to values not exceeding MPC in the presence of algae in the environment.

Seed Priming with Carbon Nanomaterials Improves the Bioactive Compounds of Tomato Plants under Saline Stress.

The consumption of food with a high content of bioactive compounds is correlated with the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. Tomato is a food with exceptional nutraceutical value; however, saline stress severely affects the yield, the quality of fruits, and the agricultural productivity of this crop. Recent studies have shown that seed priming can mitigate or alleviate the negative effects caused by this type of stress. However, the use of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) in this technique has not been tested for this purpose. In the present study, the effects of tomato seed priming with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (GP) (50, 250, and 500 mg L−1) and two controls (not sonicated and sonicated) were evaluated based on the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves; the physicochemical parameters of the fruits; and the presence of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds, carotenoids, and stress biomarkers such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the leaves and fruits of tomato plants without saline stress and with saline stress (50 mM NaCl). The results show that saline stress in combination with CNTs and GP increased the content of chlorophylls (9.1–21.7%), ascorbic acid (19.5%), glutathione (≈13%), proteins (9.9–11.9%), and phenols (14.2%) on the leaves. The addition of CNTs and GP increased the activity of enzymes (CAT, APX, GPX, and PAL). Likewise, there was also a slight increase in the content of H2O2 (by 20.5%) and MDA (3.7%) in the leaves. Salinity affected the quality of tomato fruits. The physico-chemical parameters and bioactive compounds in both the stressed and non-stressed tomato plants were modified with the addition of CNTs and GP. Higher contents of total soluble solids (25.9%), phenols (up to 144.85%), flavonoids (up to 37.63%), ascorbic acid (≈28%), and lycopene (12.4–36.2%) were observed. The addition of carbon nanomaterials by seed priming in tomato plants subjected to saline stress modifies the content of bioactive compounds in tomato fruits and improves the antioxidant defense system, suggesting possible protection of the plant from the negative impacts of stress by salinity. However, analysis of the mechanism of action of CNMs through seed priming, in greater depth is suggested, perhaps with the use of omics sciences.

Nutritional composition of maize grain associated with phosphorus and zinc fertilization

As an important staple food, the nutritional quality of maize grain can directly influence human health. Protein, amino acid, fatty acid, starch, antioxidant (carotenoids and tocopherols), mineral elements, and antinutrient profiles and concentrations in maize grain were evaluated under three phosphorus (P) (0, 25, and 100 kg P ha−1) and two zinc (Zn) applications rates (0 and 11.4 kg Zn ha−1). The results showed that the concentrations of crude protein, essential and nonessential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, P, and phytic acid were significantly increased by 25 kg P ha−1 application, and higher P application (100 kg P ha−1) did not result in continuous increases in these qualities. High application of P (100 kg P ha−1) significantly decreased Zn, Fe, and tocopherol concentrations compared with no P application. Zinc application significantly increased the concentrations of Zn, crude protein, and tocopherols in maize grain. These results suggest that on the basis of realizing high yield, optimal combinations of P (25 kg ha−1) and Zn (11.4 kg ha−1) fertilization can produce maize grain with higher concentrations of protein, essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, starch, carotenoids, tocopherols, and mineral elements (Zn, Fe, and P).

Effect on Broiler Production Performance and Meat Quality of Feeding Ulva lactuca Supplemented with Carbohydrases.

Simple SummaryMacroalgae have been increasingly exploited worldwide for feed, food and biofuel applications, due to their nutritive and bioactive compounds. Green seaweeds belonging to the genus Ulva have high growth rates, which makes them suitable for being cultured in sustainable algae production, such as an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system. This is expected to increase the use of Ulva sp. as an alternative source to conventional feedstuffs (e.g., cereals and soybean meal) for poultry. The objective of the current study was to assess if the incorporation of 15% Ulva lactuca in broiler chickens’ diet, combined or not with carbohydrate-active enzymes, would enhance meat nutritional quality without compromising animal growth performance. Overall, U. lactuca led to an accumulation of antioxidant carotenoids, n-3 PUFA and macrominerals, including magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, in the breast muscle, with likely health benefits, without significantly impairing growth performance. The supplementation of macroalgae with a recombinant ulvan lyase reduced ileal viscosity with possible beneficial effects on broiler digestibility. Although dietary U. lactuca showed potential to increase meat quality, it reduced meat overall acceptability, which suggests the use of a lower algae inclusion level to prevent a negative meat sensory perception for consumers.The aim of the study was to test if feeding 15% U. lactuca to broilers, alone or combined with carbohydrases, enhanced meat nutritional quality, without compromising growth performance. One hundred and twenty 22-day-old broilers were allocated to the following diets and replicated 10 times for 14 days: (1) maize and soy-based diet (control); (2) control with 15% U. lactuca (UL); (3) UL diet with 0.005% commercial carbohydrase mixture (ULC); and (4) UL diet with 0.01% ulvan lyase (ULE). Final body weight and average daily gain decreased (p < 0.050) with the ULE diet compared with the control, but no significant differences were found for the other diets. The intestinal viscosity increased (p < 0.001) with all alga diets but was lowered (p < 0.050) in the ileum with the ULE diet, relative to UL and ULC diets. Meat lightness and redness values, off-flavours, and total carotenoids increased (p < 0.001), while yellow values, tenderness, juiciness, overall acceptability, α- and γ-tocopherol, and total lipids decreased (p < 0.001) with alga diets. The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased (p < 0.050), and the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio decreased (p < 0.001) with the ULE diet. Total minerals in meat increased (p < 0.001) with alga diets, conversely to sodium and zinc (p < 0.001). Feeding 15% of U. lactuca to broilers did not impair growth but increased meat nutritional value through the accumulation of health-promoting antioxidant carotenoids, n-3 PUFA and total minerals, although reducing overall meat acceptability.

Description of Prasinibacter corallicola gen. nov., sp. nov., a zeaxanthin-producing bacterium isolated from stony coral Porites lutea.

Thermal stress is considered one of the main causes of mass scleractinian coral degradation; however, it is still unknown how corals can adapt to future global warming. In this study, 11 strains of coral-associated Flavobacteria were shown to produce zeaxanthin, a carotenoid antioxidant, which may help coral holobionts to alleviate thermal stress. In addition, a novel zeaxanthin-producing Flavobacterium, designated R38T, was identified using polyphasic taxonomy. Although strain R38T shared a maximum 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 93% with Mesoflavibacter aestuarii KYW614T, phylogenetic analyses based on whole genome and 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain R38T forms a distinct branch in a robust cluster composed of strain R38T and Leptobacterium flavescens KCTC 22160T under the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strain R38T exhibited average nucleotide identities of 70.2% and 72.5% for M. aestuarii KYW614T and L. flavescens KCTC 22160T, respectively. The only detected respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The genomic DNA G + C content was 33.2mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified ninhydrin phospholipid, three unidentified ninhydrin-positive lipids, and three unidentified lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were iso - C15: 0, iso - C15: 0 ω6c, C16:2 DMA, and C13:1 ω3c. The distinct biochemical, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic, and phylogenomic differences from validly published taxa suggest that strain R38T represents a new species of a new genus, for which Prasinibacter corallicola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain R38T (= MCCC 1K03889T = KCTC 72444T).

Enhancing the anti-psoriatic activity of vitamin D3 employing nanostructured archaeolipid carriers

Psoriasis (Ps) is a multifactorial autoimmune skin disease, where oxidative stress plays a key role in promoting a vicious producing cycle between keratinocytes and immune cells. Vitamin D3 (VD3) regulates the differentiation, apoptosis, and proliferation of keratinocytes, also displaying antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Previous attempts of using topical VD3 as anti-psoriatic agent, failed because of its poor solubility, high hydrophobicity, structural lability, and low bioavailability. Specifically tailored nanoparticles for topical co-delivery of VD3 and antioxidants to activated keratinocytes and macrophages could make Ps treatments more efficient. In this work, structural features, and in vitro activity of nanostructured archaeolipid carriers (NAC) containing VD3 plus the antioxidant C50 dipolar carotenoid bacterioruberin (BR) (NAC-VD3), are presented. Ultra-small (70 nm), −39 mV ζ potential, ∼5 mg VD3/ml, 0.35 BR μg/ml NAC-VD3, with good storage stability (at least 6 month) consisted of a compritol and BR core, covered by a shell of sn 2,3 ether linked archaeolipids and Tween 80 (2: 2: 1.2: 3% w/w) were obtained. Raman, DSC and SAXS analysis showed that VD3 was trapped within the disordered compritol-BR core, impairing its fast release, and protecting VD3 against thermal degradation. NAC-VD3 were extensively captured and displayed high anti-proliferative (65%), anti-inflammatory (IL-8 release) and antioxidant activities (ROS reduction) on a psoriatic model made of CaCl2 differentiated-imiquimod stimulated HaCaT cells, and on lipopolysaccharide induced THP-1 macrophages. Interestingly, the BR extract alone displayed high anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity including anti-biofilm formation. Overall, the results suggest that NAC-VD3 protect the labile structure of VD3, while enhancing its anti-psoriatic activity and deserves further in vivo exploration.

Spotlight on the May 24 Issue

#### Notable in Neurology This Week This issue features an article that identifies metabolites associated with incident stroke; another examines disease trajectories in patients with Alzheimer disease or dementia with Lewy bodies in the years before death. A featured Research Article investigates the association between serum antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids with Alzheimer disease dementia. ### Progression to Dementia or Reversion to Normal Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment as a Function of Late-Onset Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ![Graphic][1]</img> This study investigates whether the presence of mild behavioral impairment (MBI) … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif

‏Impact of Food Habits on Cataract Development Among Adults in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Cataracts are the main cause of visual impairment among the aging population, with a high impact on patients’ quality of life. It has been suggested that the antioxidant carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin may play a role in cataract prevention. Recently, significant evidence has associated abnormal glucose metabolism with an increased likelihood of the development of cataracts.Aim: The current study aims to assess the relationship between nutrition and cataracts among adults in the Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted targeting all accessible patients diagnosed with cataracts at Aseer Central Hospital during the period from August 8, 2019, to March 3, 2021, and at Khamis Mushayt General Hospital during the period from June 11, 2018, to March 3, 2021. Data were collected using a pre-structured data collection sheet that covered patients’ socio-demographic data, including age, gender, education, work type, and marital status. Also, the type of cataract diagnosed for the study patients was recorded with associated risk factors of cataracts, including chronic diseases, trauma, eye surgery, and family history. The last section covered patients’ dietary habits and frequency of dietary intake. Results: A total of 140 patients with cataracts who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Patients' ages ranged from 21 to 65 years, with a mean age of 54.2 ± 12.9 years old. Additionally, 12.1% of the study patients were smokers, 44.3% were diagnosed with hypertension, and 45% were diabetic, which was type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) among 36.5% and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among 52.4%. A family history of congenital cataracts was reported among 12.9%, and 12.9% had a history of eye trauma. Moreover, 37.1% of the study patients had vegetables once per week. Eating fruits or having juice was reported as once per week among 40% of the study patients and three times per week among 20%. Finally, 31.4% take nutritional supplements or vitamins.Conclusion: There is currently an inquiry to endorse or exclude a specific diet or dietary intake that may reduce or even prevent the development and progression of cataracts. It appears beneficial for people to have some antioxidants in their daily food.