Concentration Of Provitamin Research Articles

Investigating genomic prediction strategies for grain carotenoid traits in a tropical/subtropical maize panel.

Vitamin A deficiency remains prevalent on a global scale, including in regions where maize constitutes a high percentage of human diets. One solution for alleviating this deficiency has been to increase grain concentrations of provitamin A carotenoids in maize (Zea mays ssp. mays L.)-an example of biofortification. The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) developed a Carotenoid Association Mapping panel of 380 inbred lines adapted to tropical and subtropical environments that have varying grain concentrations of provitamin A and other health-beneficial carotenoids. Several major genes have been identified for these traits, 2 of which have particularly been leveraged in marker-assisted selection. This project assesses the predictive ability of several genomic prediction strategies for maize grain carotenoid traits within and between 4 environments in Mexico. Ridge Regression-Best Linear Unbiased Prediction, Elastic Net, and Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Spaces had high predictive abilities for all tested traits (β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, provitamin A, lutein, and zeaxanthin) and outperformed Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator. Furthermore, predictive abilities were higher when using genome-wide markers rather than only the markers proximal to 2 or 13 genes. These findings suggest that genomic prediction models using genome-wide markers (and assuming equal variance of marker effects) are worthwhile for these traits even though key genes have already been identified, especially if breeding for additional grain carotenoid traits alongside β-carotene. Predictive ability was maintained for all traits except lutein in between-environment prediction. The TASSEL (Trait Analysis by aSSociation, Evolution, and Linkage) Genomic Selection plugin performed as well as other more computationally intensive methods for within-environment prediction. The findings observed herein indicate the utility of genomic prediction methods for these traits and could inform their resource-efficient implementation in biofortification breeding programs.

Effect of wall material on lipophilic functional compounds of high oleic palm oil emulsions encapsulated by Refractance Window drying

High-oleic palm oil is a food-grade oil with desirable properties, as it is characterised by having an oleic acid concentration above 50 % and a high vitamin E and provitamin A content. This study investigated the effect of different combinations of two wall materials (whey protein (WP) and Capsul®, a commercial octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch (OSA-MS)) on the concentration of provitamin A, vitamin E and oleic acid, and the physical properties of high oleic palm oil emulsions encapsulated by Refractance Window drying technology. Wall material composition significantly affected (p < 0.05) all response variables, and R2 values were above 0.75 for all responses. Phytonutrient preservation showed its highest at an OSA-MS: WP concentration ratio of 1: 3. Optimal results were achieved (minimum moisture content, water activity and hygroscopicity, and maximum encapsulation efficiency and phytonutrient preservation) at an OSA-MS concentration of 8.13 % and WP concentration of 91.87 %. Flakes were obtained as a solid structure that protects oil's phytonutrients with 94 %, 75 % and 87 % of preservation of oleic acid, vitamin E and carotenoids, respectively. It shows that the wall material combination and encapsulation technique are suitable for obtaining lipophilic functional compounds.

Anatomical and histochemical characterization of the vegetative organs of Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss.

Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss. is popularly known as beldroega and bredo, its leaves are highly nutritious consumed as a substitute for spinach, presenting considerable concentrations of pro-vitamin A, calcium and iron. In addition, its leaves are used in the management of cardiovascular diseases, having immunomodulatory properties. In view of this, the objective of the study was to carry out the anatomical and histochemical characterization of the vegetative organs of T. fruticosum. For this, the usual methods in plant anatomy were used to make semi-permanent slides containing cross-sections of the root, stem, petiole and leaf blade and paradermal sections of the leaf blade of the species for analysis in optical microscopy light and polarized light. Histochemical tests were also performed using specific reagents in order to locate the metabolites in the fresh leaf blade through cross-sections. The main characters useful in identifying the species were: root with periderm with 4-5 cell layers and tetrarch vascular cylinder; stem with presence of angular collenchyma and druses in the parenchyma; petiole with open collateral vascular bundle and absence of collenchyma; amphistomatic leaf blade with paracytic stomata, midrib showing biconvex contour, uniseriate epidermis, annular collenchyma, mesophyll with 2-3 layers of palisade parenchyma and 5-6 layers of spongy parenchyma and presence of druses. In addition, through the histochemical study, the presence of lignin, druses of calcium oxalate and lipophilic compounds in the leaf blade was observed. The results presented are fundamental for the quality control of the plant drug and pharmacobotanical standardization of the studied species.

Characterization of Provitamin A Status and Distribution in Commercial Grown Maize Varieties in Tanzania

Provitamin A carotenoids are important as precursors for vitamin A, essential for stronger immune system and eyesight. Consumption of a plant-based diet rich in provitamin A such as provitamin A maize is an easy and affordable source of vitamin A. The majority of the commercially grown maize varieties in Tanzania are white whose provitamin A status is uncertain and undocumented. The existing current information suggests that white maize varieties have low provitamin A, an active form of vitamin A, thus putting maize consumers at risk of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Characterization of provitamin A status in commercial maize varieties grown and consumed in Tanzania is important to provide baseline information required for vitamin A rich-maize improvement programs. Therefore, this study was conducted to map the status of provitamin A in commercial maize varieties to accrue the information needed to improve maize nutrition quality toward controlling VAD in the country. The study involved 14 maize varieties including commercial yellow and white pigmented maize from 3 regions of Tanzania. From maize samples, carotenoid extraction was conducted based on a protocol adapted from Kurilich and Juvik (1999). The concentration of beta carotene (BC), beta-cryptoxanthin (BCX), alpha-carotene (AC) were determined by an ultraviolet spectrophotometer and provitamin A computed for the individual carotenoids components. The study found that the concentration of provitamin A and associated carotenoids significantly differed (p&lt;0.001) among varieties studied. The mean concentration (in μg/g) for provitamin A and its components in range as provitamin A (2.64-6.50), BC (1.91-4.66), BCX (0.649-1.21), and AC (0.819-1.46). The concentrations of provitamin A in the studied maize varieties were below the recommended levels (15 μg/g). The low concentrations of provitamin A among commercial maize varieties signify the

Chemical composition, carotenoids, vitamins and minerals in wild mustard collected in native areas

ABSTRACT Wild mustard plant (Sinapis arvensis), Brassicaceae, is a wild vegetable found in forest area, domestic orchards and it is consumed by rural population. This study aimed to evaluate chemical composition (moisture, total dietary fiber, lipids, proteins, ash, carbohydrates and total energetic value), concentration of carotenoids, vitamins (C and E) and minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Na, Cr, Se and Mo) and the contribution by this vegetable to the recommendations of daily consumption of nutrients for adult individuals. Concentrations of provitamin A (252.21 RAE/100 g), Se (0.04 mg/100 g) and Fe (5.91 mg/100 g) stood out, in which this vegetable was considered as an excellent source for these nutrients. In addition, wild mustard was considered a good source of K (435.65 mg/100 g), Ca (123.25 mg/100 g) and Mn (0.40 mg/100 g) and source of Total Dietary Fiber (TDF) (3.20 mg/100 g), Mg (26.82 mg/100 g) and Cu (0.07 mg/100 g). Wild mustard stood out as source, good source or excellent source of the evaluated nutrients, and they may contribute to reduce nutritional deficiency of those nutrients in the populations living in the region where this vegetable occurs.

Development of Biofortified Maize Hybrids through Marker-Assisted Stacking of β-Carotene Hydroxylase, Lycopene-ε-Cyclase and Opaque2 Genes.

Traditional yellow maize though contains high kernel carotenoids, the concentration of provitamin A (proA) is quite low (<2 μg/g), compared to recommended level (15 μg/g). It also possesses poor endosperm protein quality due to low concentration of lysine and tryptophan. Natural variant of crtRB1 (β-carotene hydroxylase) and lcyE (lycopene-ε-cyclase) cause significant enhancement of proA concentration, while recessive allele, opaque2 (o2) enhances the level of these amino acids. Development of biofortified maize enriched in proA, lysine and tryptophan thus holds significance in alleviation of micronutrient malnutrition. In the present study, marker-assisted stacking of crtRB1, lcyE and o2 was undertaken in the genetic background of four maize hybrids (HQPM1, HQPM4, HQPM5, and HQPM7) popularly grown in India. HP704-22 and HP704-23 were used as donors, while four elite QPM parents viz., HKI161, HKI163, HKI193-1, and HKI193-2 were used as recipients. CrtRB1 showed severe segregation distortion, while lcyE segregated as per the expectation. Recovery of recurrent parent genome (RPG) among selected backcross progenies ranged from 89 to 93%. Introgressed progenies possessed high concentration of proA (7.38–13.59 μg/g), compared to 1.65–2.04 μg/g in the recurrent parents. The reconstituted hybrids showed an average of 4.5-fold increase in proA with a range of 9.25–12.88 μg/g, compared to original hybrids (2.14–2.48 μg/g). Similar plant-, ear-, and grain- characteristics of improved versions of both inbreds and hybrids were observed when evaluated with their respective original versions. Mean lysine (0.334%) and tryptophan (0.080%) of the improved hybrids were at par with the original versions (lysine: 0.340%, tryptophan: 0.083%). Improved hybrids also possessed similar grain yield potential (6,301–8,545 kg/ha) with their original versions (6,135–8,479 kg/ha) evaluated at two locations. This is the first study of staking crtRB1-, lcyE-, and o2-, favorable alleles in single genetic background. The improved inbreds can be effectively used as potential donor for independent and/or simultaneous introgression of crtRB1, lcyE, and o2 in the future breeding programme. These biofortified maize hybrids, rich in proA, lysine and tryptophan will hold great promise for nutritional security.

Novel strategies for capturing health-protective mango phytochemicals in shelf stable food matrices

Cost-effective methods for concentration and stabilization of otherwise perishable mango fruit phytoactives into shelf stable high protein ingredients were developed to combat stunting (malnutrition) in rural Africa. Mango juices complexed with sunflower oil and protein-rich legume flours yielded carotenoid-enriched oils and pelleted polyphenol-enriched flour matrices. Carotenoids from juices were concentrated 9–10 times in the fortified sunflower oil. Protein-rich soy and peanut flours captured 2.2–3.2 mg/g polyphenols from the juices. Alternatively, mango juice was sorbed and co-dried with flours, which stably bound the polyphenols, carotenoids, and natural sugars in soy or peanut protein-rich matrices. The concentration of provitamin A carotenoids was almost doubled and total polyphenols were enriched 4–5 times higher in the matrices compared to fresh pureed juice. Both strategies require minimal instrumentation, are compatible with rural village dietary practices; and capture the benefits of otherwise perishable seasonal resources by complexing healthful proteins together with phytoactive compounds.

Carotenoid accumulation and agronomic performance of maize hybrids involving parental combinations from different marker-based groups

The present study examined the effect of crossing parental lines from two AFLP-based groups on carotenoid accumulation and agronomic performance in hybrids, which were tested in four environments in Nigeria. Environments, hybrids and hybrid×environment interactions had significant effects on carotenoid content. Hybrids had consistent carotenoid levels across test environments. The correlations between carotenoids produced in a specific branch of the biosynthetic pathway were significant and positive. Environments, hybrids and hybrid×environment interactions had significant effects on grain yield and other traits in this study. Several hybrids with high provitamin A content that were competitive to a commercial hybrid in grain yield and other traits were identified in this study. Selection of parental lines with high provitamin A content and desirable agronomic traits from different molecular-based groups may serve as the basis for developing hybrids with greater expression of heterosis in productivity and concentrations of provitamin A carotenoids.

Novel strategies for capturing health‐protective mango phytochemicals in shelf‐stable food matrices

Stunting, the result of chronic nutritional deficiencies, afflicts an estimated 180 million children under the age of 5. It is exacerbated when local diets rely on easily preserved dietary staples largely devoid of protein and phytoactive compounds from fruits and vegetables. Simple cost‐effective methods are presented for concentrating nutritional mango (Mangifera indica L.) compounds in shelf‐stable food matrices, adapted for rural village use in Zambia. Taking advantage of the solubility of carotenoids in oils, and the affinity of medium‐polarity phytoactive compounds to proteins, pureed mango was complexed with sunflower oil and either defatted soy flour (DSF) or medium roasted peanut flour (MPN). After complexation, ~97% carotenoids from one cup mango puree were captured in 25 mL of sunflower oil. DSF and MPN captured ~1 mg/g polyphenols, while sugars were discarded in an aqueous layer. An alternative process involved co‐drying mango puree with whole grain soy flour or MPN. Polyphenols, carotenoids, and natural sugars were stably bound in the protein‐rich flour matrices. Both strategies require minimal instrumentation, are compatible with rural village dietary practices; and capture the benefits of otherwise perishable seasonal resources combining healthful proteins with phytoactive compounds that do not exist together in nature. Supported by the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.

Provitamin A carotenoids in table olives according to processing styles, cultivars, and commercial presentations

The concentration of provitamin A carotenoids in table olives was determined. Only β-carotene was found in all commercial presentations. α-carotene was also present in final products containing carrots. Concentrations of β-carotene, referring to 100 g edible portion, ranged from an average of 197 to 1,387 μg in green olives, from 37 to 726 μg in directly brined olives and from 39 to 333 in ripe (darkened by oxidation) olives. Thus, some commercial presentations of table olives can be considered reasonable sources of provitamin A. Several groups were formed within elaboration styles and cultivars, according to commercial presentations. Their averages and other statistical estimations are also given. These results may be used by the industry as a source of information for nutritional labelling or by nutritionists to estimate provitamin A intakes in diets that include table olives.