Carrot Research Articles

Pollen columns and a wax canopy in a first nest description of Bombus (Cullumanobombus) morrisoni (Apidae)

In this study, we describe the first reported nest of Bombus morrisoni, a species with an extensive range in the arid Intermountain Region of the Nearctic. The mature, naturally terminated nest consisted of 424 nest cells (cocoons), with 328 non-gyne cells and 94 gyne cells. The nest also had two kinds of understudied structures associated with bumble bee nests: pollen columns and a wax canopy. We found five pollen columns rising amid the cocoons. A 0.3-mm-thick wax canopy spanned over the entire nest. An estimated 40 million pollen grains were incorporated into the 19 g wax canopy, demonstrating that B. morrisoni devotes a significant amount of pollen to this non-dietary purpose. Bombus morrisoni is a species of conservation concern due to an observed reduction in their historic distribution. The data generated in our study contributes to the much-needed comparative accounts of bumble bee nesting biology and has consequential implications in supporting management and conservation decisions.

Antioxidant capacity and hydrogen peroxide formation by black and orange carrots

Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants with numerous beneficial health effects. However, their autoxidation may produce hydrogen peroxide. Black carrots owe their colour to the high anthocyanin content. The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant capacity of and hydrogen generation by black and orange carrots. Black carrots were found to have a significantly higher anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity estimated by the FRAP assay, DPPH scavenging and ABTS• scavenging. Carrot, like other vegetables, generates hydrogen peroxide upon cooking. Black carrots generated much more hydrogen peroxide than orange carrots (55.0 ± 2.6 µM vs 6.0 ± 2.1 µM in phosphate buffer, 8.7 ± 1.2 vs 0.3 ± 0.1 µM in water, in 1:5 (w/v) homogenates. These small amounts of hydrogen peroxide are not likely to exert deleterious health effects but may have antimicrobial activity.

Wild bee larval food composition in five European cities.

Urbanization poses threats and opportunities for the biodiversity of wild bees. At the same time, cities can harbor diverse wild bee assemblages, partly due to the unique plant assemblages that provide resources. While bee dietary preferences have been investigated in various studies, bee dietary studies have been conducted mostly in nonurban ecosystems and data based on plant visitation observations or palynological techniques. This data set describes the larval food preferences of four wild bee species (i.e., Chelostoma florisomne, Hylaeus communis, Osmia bicornis, and O. cornuta) common in urban areas in five different European cities (i.e., Antwerp, Belgium; Paris, France; Poznan, Poland; Tartu, Estonia; and Zurich, Switzerland). In addition, the data set describes the larval food preferences of individuals from three wild bee genera (i.e., Chelostoma sp., Hylaeus sp., and Osmia sp.) that could not be identified to the species level. These data were obtained from a Europe‐level study aimed at understanding the effects of urbanization on biodiversity across different cities and cityscapes and a Swiss project aimed at understanding the effects of urban ecosystems in wild bee feeding behavior. Wild bees were sampled using standardized trap nests at 80 sites (32 in Zurich and 12 in each of the remaining cities), selected following a double gradient of available habitat at local and landscape scales. Larval pollen was obtained from the bee nests and identified using DNA metabarcoding. The data provide the plant composition at the species or genus level preferred by each bee. These unique data can be used for a wide array of research questions, including urban ecology (e.g., diversity of food sources along urban gradients), bee ecology (characterization of bee feeding preferences), or comparative studies on the urban evolution of behavioral traits between urban and nonurban sites. In addition, the data can be used to inform urban planning and conservation strategies, particularly concerning flower resources (e.g., importance of exotic species and, thus, management activities). This data set can be freely used for noncommercial purposes, and this data paper should be cited if the data is used; we request that collaboration with the data set contact person to be considered if this data set represents an important part of the data analyzed in a study.

Comparative transcriptomics of drought stress response of taproot meristem region of contrasting purple carrot breeding lines supported by physio-biochemical parameters.

Carrot is one of the nutritious vegetable crops sensitive to drought stress resulting in loss of quality and yield. There are a lot of studies on detailed molecular mechanisms of drought stress response of main crops; however, very little information available on vegetables, including carrots. Hence, in this study, we investigated root transcriptome profiles from the meristematic region of two contrasting purple carrot (B7262A, drought tolerant; P1129, drought sensitive) lines under varying stress levels (85% and 70%) by using RNA-Seq technique. The morpho-physiological and biochemical response of B7262A line exhibited tolerance behavior to both DS (85% and 70%). RNA-Seq analysis revealed that 15,839 genes were expressed commonly in both carrot lines. The carrot line B7262A showed regulation of 514 genes in response to 85% DS, whereas P1129 showed differential regulation of 622 genes under 70% DS. The B7262A carrot line showed higher upregulation of transcripts that suggested its resilient behavior contrary to P1129 line. Furthermore, validation of transcript gene by qRT-PCR also confirmed the RNA-Seq analysis resulting in elevated expression levels of MYB48 transcription factor, MAPK mitogen-activated protein kinase ANP1, GER geraniol 8-hydroxylase, ABA ABA-induced in somatic embryo 3, FBOX putative F-box protein, FRO ferric reduction oxidase, and PDR probable disease resistance protein. Current study provided unprecedented insights of purple carrot lines that can be potentially exploited for the screening and development of resilient carrot.

Applied microwave power estimation of black carrot powders using spectroscopy combined with chemometrics

The level of applied microwave power is a critical parameter for the quality of the dried product in microwave drying. It is impossible to assess the applied power of the dried product with the naked eye. This work aimed to predict the applied power of black carrot powders using a chromameter and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy with partial least squares regression. A good correlation was found between applied power, color parameters, and near-infrared reflectance. The near-infrared spectroscopy predicted the applied power with better performance (R 2 = 0.99) and can be utilized to appraise the applied power of black carrot powders with acceptable accuracy.

New Smoothie Products Based on Pumpkin, Banana, and Purple Carrot as a Source of Bioactive Compounds.

Smoothies are fruit- and/or vegetable-based products in form of beverages that are typically semi-liquid, thick in consistency, and mainly consist of purees and juices. Other ingredients, such as yogurt, milk, ice cream, sugar, honey, or simply water may also be added. The present study aimed to elaborate smoothie products based on bananas, pumpkins, and purple carrots. These fruits and vegetables were chosen due to their high bioactive compounds content, potential health benefits, and availability to industry. Five smoothie formulations were produced and analyzed for pH, soluble solids, total phenolic content, anthocyanins, carotenoids, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, instrumental color, and sensory features. From the analysis, the result showed that the obtained smoothies were a good source of total phenolic content (39.1 to 55.9 mg/100 g) and anthocyanin (7.1 to 11.1 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside/100 g), and that they possessed high antioxidant activity (4.3 to 6.2 µM Trolox/g). From sensory evaluation, all the produced smoothies were desirable, but the formulations with banana were scored higher compared to the pumpkin. In conclusion, smoothies composed of pumpkin, banana, and purple carrot can be a good new food product that incorporates nutritional compounds into the human diet.

Features of microsporidia Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae (Nosema species) development of winter bee (Apis mellifera L.) generation

Temperature is one of the main abiotic factors affecting the development of causative agents of nosemosis in the bee's body.
 The aim of the research. To determine the influence of the winter and summer bee nest temperature (20–22 °C and 35–36 °C, respectively) on the duration of Nosema species development of winter bee generation isolated in hoarding cages, and to trace the life cycle of Nosema species of bees with natural infection and overwintering in natural conditions, from November to the beginning of bee brood rearing (February).
 Materials and methods. For this, 200 bees Apis mellifera sossimai, selected from bee colony in November, were infected by syrup feeding containing Nosema species (5×104 spores per bee). Half of the bees were kept at 35–36 °C and half at 20–22 °C. The stages of Nosema species development were monitored daily for 13 days in midgut smears, stained according to Romanovsky-Giemsa (magnification 900x). Furthermore, with a 15 days frequency, from November to mid-February, 30 bees were selected from 20 bee colonies overwintered in natural conditions, and monitored the stages of Nosema species development at natural infection.
 Result. It was found that the Nosema species development of winter bee generation artificially infected by Nosema species, was suspended at meronts and sporonts stages until the 13th day from the moment of infection, regardless of the temperature at which the bees were kept in the experiment. In bees selected from bee colonies naturally infected with Nosema species prevailed meronts I, II and in an insignificant amount sporonts, until the end of December, active sporulation took place from the middle of January to the beginning of February.
 Conclusion. That is, the duration of the life cycle development of Nosema species depends little on temperature but is closely related to the life span of summer and winter bee generation and determined by the biochemistry of their relationships, which allow the parasite to save the host as its habitat

Optimization of the use of cellulolytic enzyme preparation for the extraction of health promoting anthocyanins from black carrot using response surface methodology

Anthocyanin-rich extracts from black carrots are being considered as a candidate replacer for the red colour in processed foods. The present investigation optimizes the extraction of anthocyanins with high phenolic content and low degradation parameters from black carrots using a cellulolytic multi-enzyme preparation known as Viscozyme. The optimized conditions for Viscozyme using a Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM) were as follow: temperature (50.2 °C), extraction time (58.4 min) and enzyme concentration (0.20%). The predicted value of anthocyanins content was 1380 mg/L, which was near to the optimized experimental value of 1375 mg/L. The extracted anthocyanins based on above mentioned conditions exhibited the lowest degradation parameters such as degradation index (DI) of (0.86), browning index of (BI) (1.31) and were characterized with cyanidin 3-sinapoylxylosylglucosylgalactoside as being the most abundant. The findings clearly reveal that Viscozyme-assisted extraction (VAE) is the best approach for extracting superior quality extracts from black carrots with high anthocyanin and other phenolic component concentrations.

Antioxidant and bioaccessibility characteristics of functional fruit and vegetable honeys produced by innovative method

The functional fruit and vegetable honeys were produced by the natural bee feeding method with pomegranate, orange and black carrot concentrates. The natural enrichment method did not cause any negative effects on the quality criteria questioned in the standards such as moisture, pH, free acidity and HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfuraldehyde) content and the quality of the functional honeys obtained was high. Parallel to TPC contents, the antioxidant values of the honeys were increased 5.00–31.50, 16.09–53.96 and 21.18–39.72% by enrichment of orange, pomegranate, and black carrot concentrates. Gallic acid in pomegranate honey (14.52%) and chlorogenic acid in black carrot honey (27.01%) were determined as antioxidant components increased by enrichment. The enrichment process also led to an increase in the bioaccessibility characteristics. The increased antioxidant activity of functional honeys (DPPH) was verified by a high negative correlation value (R = −0.9103) and decreasing IC50 ratios in the opposite direction.

Stability enhancement of beetroot betalains through copigmentation.

Like other natural pigments, betalains have a stability problem. Copigmentation can be explored to address this issue. In this study, black carrot anthocyanins were used for the first time as copigment with betalains so that copigmented betalains with enhanced stability could be developed to withstand deteriorative processing and storage conditions. Increase in hyperchromic and bathochromic shift with subsequent increase in black carrot anthocyanin extract (0.250 g L-1 ) addition from 0.2 to 1.0mL L-1 was observed in native betalain pigments from 0.28 to 1.90 and 538 nm to 564 nm, respectively. For maximum recorded bathochromic shift, 0.8mL L-1 addition of copigment was optimized. Copigmented betalain pigment showed better stability in comparison with native pigment, when exposed to light, temperature more than 60 °C and ≥1.0g L-1 NaCl. At constant incubation time (3h), copigmented betalains degraded up to 20.79-41.43% whereas the non-copigmented counterpart degraded up to 83.49-86.86% at 60, 75 and 90 °C, respectively. Lower rate constant (k) and enhanced activation energy (Ea ) showed higher thermostability of copigmented betalains. With constant light exposure, the half-life value of betalains was 145.2h, which increased approximately twofold (274.08 h) after copigmentation. The t1/2 of betalain pigment at 10%, 15% and 18% salt addition was 81.12, 75.36 and 83.52 h, which increased to 186.96, 226.56 and 152.88 h after copigmentation. These findings support that black carrot anthocyanin is a potential and compatible copigment for water-soluble betalain pigment that enhances stability of betalains under extreme processing conditions. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of carpenter bee nests on timber building components Based on computed tomography (CT)

The effects of carpenter bee nests were determined for components of timber buildings. An eaves purlin structure was taken as the experimental object, and medical computed tomography (CT) was used to reconstruct the sectional image of the eaves purlin. The digital image reconstruction technology was used to obtain three-dimensional (3D) images of the two eaves purlins. One eaves purlin was not damaged, and the other was seriously eroded by carpenter bees. The carpenter bee nests were displayed, and the two eaves purlins were simulated by the directional force and the uniform directional force. When the eaves purlin was under the downward pressure of the roof, the shear force at both ends of the eaves purlin and the pressure at the middle were relatively large. The results show that CT is an accurate and efficient technology for detecting the mechanical properties of timber building components. Nests are usually distributed in the eaves purlin eroded by carpenter bees, which destroy the stability of the eaves purlin structure and have a great impact on the stability of timber buildings. Therefore, this method to evaluate the damage degree of timber building components is very important for the protection of timber buildings.

Parasitism and brood mortality in Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee (<i>Megachile rotundata</i> (Fabricius)), nesting in vacated comb cells of European Paper Wasp (<i>Polistes dominula</i> (Christ))

Social paper wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) construct comb nests of tens to hundreds of brood cells that are abandoned each year before winter. The nests are positioned where they are protected from inclement weather and may remain intact for several years. Here, I detail observations of nests provisioned by the non-native, solitary Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee (Megachile rotundata (Fabricius, 1787); Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in individual brood cells in vacated combs of the invasive, social European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula (Christ, 1791)) on a green roof in Toronto, Ontario. A total of 12 paper wasp combs were dissected and 280 M. rotundata nests (one per wasp comb cell) were recovered; 22 nests were provisioned in 2013 consisting of 32 individual M. rotundata brood cells. Parasitism by Melittobia and Monodontomerus wasps accounted for 46.9% of M. rotundata mortality in the cells in 2013; mortality from all causes, including parasitism, was 78.1%. In contrast, total mortality of M. rotundata in brood cells provisioned in a human-made bee nest box on the same roof in 2013 was 4.2% and there was no parasitism. Mortality by parasitism and total brood mortality in 391 brood cells provisioned in 41 nests in the bee nest box in 2011–2013 were 2.0% and 21.2%, respectively. Therefore, the use of vacated paper wasp comb cells resulted in an overall >20-fold increase in parasitism and >3-fold increase in brood mortality over that observed in the bee nest box when all years are combined.

Chemical profiling and UHPLC-QToF analysis for the simultaneous determination of anthocyanins and flavonoids in Sambucus berries and authentication and detection of adulteration in elderberry dietary supplements using UHPLC-PDA-MS

This work was initiated to develop a simple, quick, and reliable UHPLC-PDA-MS method to identify chemical markers for authentication and compare fruit samples of four elder species, Sambucus nigra, S. ebulus, S. canadensis, and S. cerulea. The UHPLC method showed an adequate separation of 11 compounds including anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids in berries of the four Sambucus species. Quantification, detection limits, precision, accuracy as well as robustness were determined. The analysis of 55 different samples of four Sambucus species showed distinct phytochemical fingerprints. Thirty-one dietary supplements claiming to contain S. nigra berries extract were analyzed to determine authenticity. Ten (32%) of the 31 products complied with the label and contained only elderberry. The application of UHPLC-QToF provided useful information to characterize seventy-three compounds that can be used to distinguish among the four Sambucus species and also help to determine the presence of adulterants. Extracts of black rice (Oryza sativa) were identified as the main adulterants in the dietary supplements, although other undeclared ingredients such as extracts of purple carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens) and flowers of S. nigra were also found instead of elder berry in two products. In addition to the detection of adulterated samples based on a comparison of the chemical profiles of anthocyanin and flavonoids, the developed methods can also be useful for the quality assessment of both bulk raw material and dietary supplements.

Physicochemical properties, degradation kinetics, and antioxidant capacity of aqueous anthocyanin-based extracts from purple carrots compared to synthetic and natural food colorants

As a means to evaluate the potential of carrot anthocyanins as food colorants and nutraceutical agents, we investigated the physicochemical stability and antioxidant capacity of purple carrot extracts under different pH (2.5–7.0) and temperature (4–40 °C) conditions, in comparison to a commercial synthetic (E131) and a natural grape-based (GRP) colorant. During incubation, the colorants were weekly-monitored for various color parameters, concentration of anthocyanins and phenolics, and antioxidant capacity. Carrot colorants were more stable than GRP; and their thermal stability was equal (at 4 °C) or higher than that of E131 (at 25–40 °C). Carrot anthocyanins had lower degradation rate at low pH and temperature, with acylated anthocyanins (AA) being significantly more stable than non-acylated anthocyanins (NAA). Anthocyanins acylated with feruloyl and coumaroyl glycosides were the most stable carrot pigments. The higher stability of carrot colorants is likely due to their richness in AA and -to a lesser extent- copigmentation with other phenolics.

Effects of Salinity on Yield, Yield Components and Water Productivity of Black Carrot (Daucus Carota L.) Under Water Stress Condition

Salinity and drought are some of the main problems affecting global crop yields. In this study, interaction effects of irrigation interval and salinity on yield, soil salinity, other parameters of black carrot were evaluated in a covered rain shelter. The treatments consist of three different irrigation intervals (4 days (I1), 6 days (I2), and 8 days (I3) with 6 different irrigation water salinity levels (0.38 (S1), 1.5 (S2), 3.0 (S3), 5.0 (S4) 7.0 (S5) and 10.0 (S6) dS m-1. The results indicated that the effect of interaction between irrigation interval and salinity was significant on yield, evapotranspiration, chlorophyll content, and soluble solid content (SSC). Yield and evapotranspiration decreased significantly with an increase in salinity and irrigation intervals. The highest yield was observed in I1S1, and the yield response (Ky) in the black carrot was 1.39. The irrigation water salinity up to 1.5 dS m-1 was nonsignificant on yield. However, the increase in soil salinity by 1 dS m-1 caused a decrease of 3.83%, 2.93%, and 3.03% in the yields of I1, I2, and I3, respectively. Moreover, increasing the salinity of irrigation water reduced the chlorophyll content and carrot juice pH value. The result of the study indicated that black carrot is sensitive to salt and water deficit, and the maximum irrigation interval using saline water should not be more than 6 days. Therefore, it can be concluded that in regions where salinity is high, more frequent irrigation minimizes losses that may occur in yield.

Comparative Analysis between Synthetic Vitamin E and Natural Antioxidant Sources from Tomato, Carrot and Coriander in Diets for Market-Sized Dicentrarchus labrax.

Synthetic vitamin E is commonly used in aquafeeds to prevent oxidative stress in fish and delay feed and flesh oxidation during storage, but consumers’ preferences tend towards natural antioxidant sources. The potential of vegetable antioxidants-rich coproducts, dried tomato (TO), carrot (CA) and coriander (CO) was compared to that of synthetic vitamin E included in diets at either a regular (CTRL; 100 mg kg−1) or reinforced dose (VITE; 500 mg kg−1). Natural antioxidants were added at 2% to the CTRL. Mixes were then extruded and dried, generating five experimental diets that were fed to European sea bass juveniles (114 g) over 12 weeks. Vitamin E and carotenoid content of extruded diets showed signs of degradation. The experimental diets had very limited effects on fish growth or body composition, immunomodulatory response, muscle and liver antioxidant potential, organoleptic properties or consumer acceptance. Altogether, experimental findings suggest that neither a heightened inclusion dose of 500 mg kg−1 of vitamin E, nor a 2% inclusion of natural antioxidants provided additional antioxidant protection, compared to fish fed diets including the regular dose of 100 mg kg−1 of vitamin E.

Delving into the Nutraceutical Benefits of Purple Carrot against Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer: A Review

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) constitutes a group of risk factors that may increase the risk of cancer and other health problems. Nowadays, researchers are focusing on food compounds that could prevent many chronic diseases. Thus, people are shifting from dietary supplements towards healthy nutritional approaches. As a nutritious and natural food source, purple carrot (Daucus carota spp. Sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) roots could have an important role in the prevention of MetS as well as cancer. This review provides deep insight into the role of purple carrot’s main bioactive compounds and their effectiveness against MetS and cancer. Phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanin, present in purple carrot roots may be especially productive in avoiding or delaying the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVDs), obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Anthocyanins and other phenolics are successful in reducing metabolic changes and inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory effects. Many researchers have made efforts to employ this vegetable in the prevention and treatment of MetS and cancer. However, more advanced studies are required for the identification of its detailed role, effectiveness, suitable intake, and the effect of its bioactive compounds against these diseases.

The Impact of Different Biotopes and Management Practices on the Burden of Parasites in Artificial Nests of Osmia spp. (Megachilidae) Bees

The decline in pollinator insect abundance and diversity is increasing on a global scale. Major threats are the byproducts of numerous negative environmental pressures acting individually or in combination. They vary throughout different geographical areas, affecting the solitary bees differently. One of the most important negative pressures are the many parasites, predators and pests representing a threat to the successful reproduction of solitary bees in artificial nests. Especially vulnerable are the managed Osmia spp. bee populations reared for commercialization and trade. The primary goals of our monitoring study were: (i) to examine the presence and the prevalence of brood parasites in the various types of bees’ nesting material and in semi-field rearing conditions using the nest section analyses; (ii) to determine the presence of Nosema spp. in samples of feces and homogenized bee abdomens using a multiplex PCR method; (iii) the evaluation of the survival success level and emergence mass of healthy bees at each of the four studied bee rearing locations separately, depending on different environments and on the implementation of different managing practices. We determined the presence and prevalence of nest destructor parasites and accompanying fauna. Their presence was positively correlated with bee rearing failures. The results of this study may be used as a baseline for further solitary bee nest parasites monitoring schemes.

Detection and analysis of an eave purlin of the timber building eroded by carpenter bees based on computed tomography

To explore the harm of carpenter bee nests to timber buildings, an eave purlin of Wu’s house, the seventh batch of national key cultural relics in China, was taken as the research object. A CT (computed tomography) device was used to collect the projection data of wood components, and VGSTUDIO MAX3.2 software was used to reconstruct multiple transverse sections, radial sections, tangential sections, and 3D (three-dimensional) images of an eave purlin. The results showed that carpenter bees eroded a timber building randomly, but they usually nested along the length of eave purlin. The wood in the middle of an eave purlin is more vulnerable to carpenter bees than the end. Carpenter bee nests are usually not connected, and the volume of nests accounts for 3% to 4% of the eave purlin. The eave purlin is applied with an orientation and a torsion force. The position of the maximum hot spots of the stress occurs at holes and the large cracks, indicating that carpenter bee nests have a great impact on the mechanical properties of timber buildings. The research results of this paper provide reference for the safety evaluation and preventive protection of timber buildings.

Analyzing the Interaction between Anthocyanins and Native or Heat-Treated Whey Proteins Using Infrared Spectroscopy.

The color stability of anthocyanins (ACN) has been shown to be improved by interaction with whey proteins (WP). In this study, we explore the ACN–WP interaction using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (IR). ACN from purple corn, grape, and black carrot (50 μM) were evaluated. IR spectra (4000–700 cm−1) were collected for native and preheated (40–80 °C) WP (5 mg/mL) and ACN–WP mixtures at pH 7.4. Soft independent modeling of class analogy was used to analyze the IR data. The WP secondary structure changed after heat treatments and after interaction with ACN. As expected, the WP α-helices decreased, and β-sheet increased after heat treatment. The intensities of the WP amide I and II bands decreased after ACN addition, revealing a decrease in the WP α-helix content. Higher preheating temperatures (70–80 °C) resulted in a more disordered WP structure that favored stronger WP–ACN interactions related to amide III changes. Addition of ACN stabilized WP structure due to heat denaturation, but different ACN structures had different binding affinities with WP. WP structure had less change after interaction with ACN with simpler structures. These results increase our understanding of ACN–WP interactions, providing a potential strategy to extend anthocyanin color stability by WP addition.