Total Carotenoid Content Research Articles

Changes in the content of carotenoids in potato tubers cultivated with or without the application of fungicides

AbstractIn this study, three cultivars and seven tetraploid potato clones were evaluated for two years in two cultivation systems (CS): without chemical protection against late blight development (NP) and with chemical protection (P). The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of chemical protection on the level of total carotenoids (TC) and individual carotenoids in potato tubers. The presented study showed that the content of TC in potato tubers is significantly affected by the CS and genotype. TC were higher in the system NP (mean 329.6 µg/100 g fresh weight [FW]) than in the system P (mean 206.2 µg/100 g FW). Although the development of late blight was observed only in the year 2019, a higher content of TC was observed in the system NP in both years. This dependence clearly show that CS without chemical protection favor carotenoids accumulation in potatotubers. In the case of lutein, the year had a significant impact on the concentration. The concentration of lutein in 2018 for the majority genotypes was higher (mean 72.1 µg/100 g FW), than in year 2019 (mean 37.3 µg/100 g FW), when late blight development wasobserved. The sharp decrease in lutein content in 2019 was probably caused by the development of late blight. A significant decrease of lutein content in potato tubers was observed in 2019 for all genotypes in system P and for five genotypes in system NP. It can be assumed that resistance mechanisms that occur during infection may have disturbed the accumulation of lutein in potato tubers.

Chemical Profile Characterization of Fruit and Vegetable Juices after Fermentation with Probiotic Strains.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely applied for fermentation purposes in dairy and non-dairy food matrices with beneficial technological and health-promoting properties. This study describes the effect of two lactic acid bacteria, namely, Lactiplantibacillus paracasei SP5 and Pediococcus pentosaceus SP2, on the phenolic profiles, antioxidant activities, total phenolic content (TPC), carotenoid content, and sensorial profile of two different mixed fruit juices. After 48 h of fermentation, both LABs retained viability over 9 Log CFU/mL in both juices. The TPC, zeaxanthin + lutein, β-carotene content, and antioxidant activity (AA) were elevated for both LABs and mixed juices after 48 h of fermentation compared to control samples. Regarding the phenolic profile, both juices exhibited a significant decrease in chlorogenic acid levels, while quinic acid and tyrosol concentrations showed notable increases.

Comparative analysis of fatty acid profiles, phytochemical and mineral contents of pepper spice types in Türkiye

Peppers are significant crops frequently used in cooking or as spice. Numerous phytochemicals, including capsaicinoids, phenolics, and carotenoids are found in peppers. Capsaicinoids are responsible for the distinctively pungent flavor. A comparative study of the proximate, mineral, fatty acid composition, and phytochemical components of 15 types of pepper spices (1 Isot Pepper Flake, 4 Chili Powders, and 10 Chili Pepper Flakes) were investigated. Analysis of the proximate composition included moisture content (6.54-19.49%), ash content (6.53-22.48%) and acid insoluble ash content (0.41-1.12%). Total phenolic content ranged from 9.72 to 20.05 mg GAE g-1. The lowest and highest capsaicinoid content were found in S15 (10247.6 Scoville Heat Unit (SHU)) and S9 (38861.7 SHU) samples, respectively. Total carotenoid content ranged from 739.8–1941.7 mg kg-1. Phytochemical analyses revealed that these spices are high in phytonutrients such as carotenoid and capsaicinoid. Mineral elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, iron, manganese, and sodium were also present in the spices, which are essential for human nutrition.

Influence of Melatonin Coating on Physiochemical Qualities and Enzymatic Activities in Banana Pericarp under Cold Storage

Banana pericarp is highly susceptible to chilling injury (CI), negatively affecting its quality and shelf life. Melatonin (MT), a plant tryptophan derivative, has shown promising effects in mitigating CI and related physiological disorders in tropical and subtropical fruits. This study investigated the efficacy of MT at different concentrations (0, 50, and 100 µM/L) in the coating of banana pericarp to control CI and physicochemical degradation during storage at 7 °C for five days, and on each day, fruits were assessed for quality. The MT100 treatment significantly (p < 0.05) mitigated the severity of the CI index, electrolytic leakage (EL), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were substantially higher in control samples, whereas MT treatments notably suppressed their increase. Glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AA) levels were elevated in those banana pericarps treated with higher MT concentrations. Although total phenolic content (TPC) and total carotenoid contents (TCC) were increased in MT-treated samples, the MT concentrations did not significantly affect them. The level of phenolic compounds, such as gallic acid (GA), chlorogenic acid (CA), quinic acid (QA), protocatechuic acid (PA), and catechin (CC), exhibited continuous growth during the storage period, with the highest levels found in MT100-treated samples. Activities of enzymes such as lipoxygenase (LOX), phospholipase D (PLD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in control samples and rose continuously over time, yet were effectively reduced in MT-treated pericarps. This study shows that applying a higher MT coating (100 µM/L) to bananas is an effective post-harvest strategy to considerably lower the incidence of CI and associated losses.

Tisochrysis lutea as a source of omega-3 polar lipids and fucoxanthin: extraction and characterization using green solvents and advanced techniques

The marine microalga Tisochrysis lutea is a potential and sustainable source of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. In the present work, the extraction of fucoxanthin and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid which constitutes polar lipids particularly in the brain, was studied using advanced extraction techniques with green and bio-based solvents compared to traditional extraction techniques with hazardous organic solvents. The experimental design to maximize the lipid extraction yield by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was developed, choosing as experimental factors the percentage of solvent (0, 50 and 100% of 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran or 2-methyloxolane (2-me-THF) in ethanol), the extraction time (20, 30 and 40 min) and temperature (40, 50 and 60 ºC). The highest lipid extraction yields were obtained using ethanol as solvent. Nevertheless, the most interesting extracts based on their chemical composition were obtained when the presence of 2-me-THF in the extraction mixture was greater than that of ethanol. Through analytical techniques such as HPLC-ELSD/DAD and GC-MS as well as spectrophotometric techniques, the contents of polar lipids, fatty acids, total carotenoids and fucoxanthin were quantified. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of different selected extracts was studied, being once again the most interesting those extracted with different amounts of 2-me-THF due to its selectivity and enriched composition in high-added value bioactives, mainly fucoxanthin and DHA. Therefore, it is shown the importance of choosing an advanced extraction technique together with the use of green solvents not only to develop procedures that are in agreement with Green Chemistry but also to preserve its bioactivity.

Comparative Analysis of Pigments, Phenolics, and Bioactivities of Three Camellia Species Growing in Vietnam

Objective/Background: Camellia L. , belonging to the Theaceae family, is a diverse group of plant species native to various regions of Asia. Methods: Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in leaves of three Camellia species, namely Camellia quephongensis, Camellia yokdonensis, and Camellia longii, were determined using a spectrophotometric method. Phenolic compounds of the leaf extracts were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Additionally, antioxidant activity, anti-α-amylase and in vitro antiinflammatory properties of the extracts were evaluated. Results: The total carotenoid content in C. longii was the highest, whereas the total chlorophyll content in this species was the lowest. Most of the phenolic compounds in C. quephongensis were found at the greatest concentrations compared to the other species. The extract from C. quephongensis exhibited the strongest antioxidant properties estimated by ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging assays. This activity was shown to be comparable with that of ascorbic acid. All the Camellia extracts may possess a much less potent anti-α-amylase activity in comparison with acarbose. They could also be weaker than diclofenac with respect to in vitro anti-inflammatory activity evaluated by albumin denaturation inhibition assay. Conclusions: The findings of this investigation provide the initial insights into pigments and phenolics present in the various Camellia species and pave the way for the development of functional foods that could potentially offer a range of health benefits.

Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus Attributes as Influenced by Carao (Cassia grandis) Fruit Parts

Carao (Cassia grandis) contains numerous bioactive substances that contribute to gastrointestinal well-being. The present study assessed the potential impacts of carao on the viability and performance of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus under various adverse conditions. These conditions included bile, acid, gastric juice, and lysozyme exposure, simulating the digestive process from the mouth to the intestines. The activity of proteases from cultures was monitored to examine their proteolytic capabilities. To achieve this, the cultures were cultivated in a solution containing plant material, and the results were compared against a control sample after an incubation period. Subsequently, the total phenolic content, total carotenoid content, antioxidant activity, sugar profile, and acid profile of the plant materials were analyzed. These analyses were conducted to explore these compounds’ influence on cultures’ survival. Seeds contained the highest total phenols (766.87 ± 11.56 µg GAE/mL), total carotenoid content (7.43 ± 0.31 mg Q/mL), and antioxidant activity (40.76 ± 1.87%). Pulp contained the highest moisture (12.55 ± 0.44%), ash (6.45 ± 0.15%), lipid (0.66 ± 0.07%), protein (16.56 ± 0.21%), sucrose (9.07 ± 0.78 g/100 g), and fructose (3.76 ± 0.06 g/ 100 g). The crust had the highest content of ash (85.14 ± 0.27%) and succinic acid (2.01 ± 0.06 g/100 g). Results indicated that seeds negatively affected cultures’ survival in the bile tolerance test and had positive effects on Lactobacillus bulgaricus in the protease activity test. Otherwise, the other carao tissues could not change the results significantly (p > 0.05) compared to the control in different tests. The carao crust positively affected cultures’ against protease activity, especially in Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and had a negative effect on the growth of S. thermophilus in the lysozyme and gastric acid resistance test.

Higher serum carotenoid concentrations were associated with the lower risk of cancer-related death: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The study focuses on the association between serum carotenoids and cancer-related death. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001–2006 and 2017–2018), the study encompasses 10,277 participants older than age 20 years, with recorded baseline characteristics and serum carotenoid concentrations (including α-carotene, trans-β-carotene, cis-β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin). We hypothesized that serum carotenoid concentrations were negatively associated with cancer-related death. The weighted chi-square analyses indicate significant negative correlations between higher serum concentrations of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and total carotenoids, and the risk of cancer-related deaths. Using weighted Cox regression analysis, this study confirms that α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and total carotenoids, as continuous or categorical variables, are inversely related to cancer mortality (P < .0001). Furthermore, considering competitive risk events, lower concentrations of serum β-cryptoxanthin (Fine-Gray P = 1.12e-04), trans-lycopene (P = 5.68e-14), and total carotenoids (P = .03) are associated with an increased risk of cancer-related deaths. The research reveals a crucial inverse relationship between serum carotenoid concentrations and cancer-related death.

Effect of drought stress on the expression pattern of genes involved in ABA biosynthesis in Desi-type chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

The behavior of Abscisic acid (ABA) as a stress phytohormone may be involved in mechanisms leading to tolerance and survival in adverse environmental conditions such as drought stress. Here, we evaluated ABA-mediated responses at physio-biochemical and molecular levels in drought-stressed seedlings of two different Desi-type chickpea genotypes (10 as a tolerant genotype and 247 as a sensitive one). Under drought stress, two chickpea genotypes showed a decrease in their relative water content (RWC), and the intense decrease was related to the sensitive genotype (73.9%) in severe stress. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concomitant with the severity of stress increased in genotypes and the higher increase was in the sensitive genotype (5.8-fold and 3.43-fold, respectively). In the tolerant genotype, the enhanced accumulation of total phenolic content (1.75-fold) and radical scavenging action, based on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl test (DPPH), (1.69-fold) were simultaneous with ABA accumulation (1.53-fold). In the tolerant genotype, transcriptional analysis presented upregulation of Zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) (1.35-fold), 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) (5.16-fold), and Abscisic aldehyde oxidase (AAO) (1.52-fold compared to control conditions) genes in severe stress in comparison with mild stress. The sensitive genotype had a declining trend in total chlorophyll (up to 70%) and carotenoid contents (36%). The main conclusion to be drawn from this investigation is that ABA with its regulatory effects can affect drought tolerance mechanisms to alleviate adverse effects of unsatisfactory environmental conditions. In this paper, we tried to indicate that drought stress induces overexpression of genes triggering ABA-mediated drought responses simultaneously in two genotypes while more increment expression was related to the tolerant genotype. At first thought, it seems that the tolerant genotype compared to the sensitive genotype has a genetically inherent ability to cope with and drop adverse effects of drought stress through over-accumulation of ABA as drought.

Evolution of Leaf Chlorophylls, Carotenoids and Phenolic Compounds during Vegetation of Some Croatian Indigenous Red and White Grape Cultivars.

During the ripening process of grapes, the grapevine leaves are the most active green organs that are important for photosynthesis, which is closely linked to the development and metabolism of the plant. The detection of plant pigments and phenolic compounds in grapevine leaves can be a good indicator of the ageing process, vine vigor and the plant's ability to respond to fungal attack. In a one-year study, the development of leaf chlorophylls, carotenoids and phenolic compounds during the ripening of six indigenous Croatian grape cultivars and the international cultivars Merlot and Chardonnay was investigated. The chlorophyll a/b ratio and total chlorophyll and total carotenoid concentrations were also investigated. PCA was used to highlight relevant information from the data with the aim of distinguishing individual compounds based on the cultivar and phenological stage. The leaf total hydroxycinnamic acid and flavan-3-ol concentrations decreased slowly during grape development, with the highest concentration immediately after flowering and the lowest during grape ripening. The concentrations of β-carotene, lutein and xanthophylls tended to decrease during bunch closure or veraison, while the concentration of chlorophylls a and b peaked during veraison and then decreased during grape ripening. This research will provide an opportunity to select cultivars with the physiological adaptation to synthesize secondary metabolites that are important for managing stress conditions.

The biochemical characteristics of pink tomato fruits (&lt;i&gt;Solanum lycopersicum&lt;/i&gt; L.): mature and after storage

Relevance. Tomato pink-fruit cultivars and hybrids are of interest for fresh consumption. The biochemical parameters are influenced by the varietal factor and by the growing conditions. It is known that mature tomatoes record low storability. The softening of the fruit is caused by ethylene produced in the ripening fruit. Then pectinase enzymes are synthesized in the fruit tissues, under the action of which the cell walls of the fruit soften. Breeders are creating tomato cultivars whose fruits could be stored for a long time without losing their tasty. The aim of the investigation was to study the biochemical parameters of pink-colored tomato fruits under different ripening conditions. Materials and methods. The plants were grown on the experimental fields of the Laboratory for Breeding and Seed Production of Solanaceae crops. In the Analytical Department, the biochemical composition of pink tomato fruits was studied during harvesting from the field and after laying for storage in the milky ripeness phase according to the following indicators: dry matter, ascorbic acid, total content of water-soluble antioxidants, titratable acidity, monosaccharides, polyphenols and carotenoids. Results. The breeding accession F4 (Lotos x Z6) showed maximum dry matter and monosaccharide content both after storage and in mature fruits. The same sample as F5 (Lotos x Z6) showed the highest ascorbic acid content after storage. Other parameters before and after storage in these samples were comparable. Whereas, breeding accession F6 (Z6 x Lotos) stood out in terms of maximum content of sum of antioxidants in alcoholic extract and content of water-soluble antioxidants after storage.

Transcript Analysis Reveals Positive Regulation of CA12g04950 on Carotenoids of Pigment Pepper Fruit under Nitrogen Reduction

This study investigates the relationship between nitrogen fertilization and pepper fruit color by employing five different nitrogen treatments (N1: 750 kg/hm2, N2: 562.5 kg/hm2, N3: 375 kg/hm2, N4: 187.5, and N0: 0 kg/hm2). Fruits were harvested at 30 (S1: green ripening stage), 45 (S2: color transition stage), and 60 days (S3: red ripening stage) after flowering. Subsequently, pigment content, carotenoid component content, carotenoid enzyme activity, and transcriptome sequence were analyzed, and CA12g04950 function was validated through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The results indicate that a reduction in nitrogen application led to an earlier onset of fruit color breakdown, and increased the contents of total carotenoid, capsanthin, phytoene and PSY (phytoene synthase) activity, LCYB (lycopene β-cyclase) activity and CCS (capsanthin/capsorubin synthase) activity. The analysis of different expression genes indicated that the most differently expressed genes were enriched in the N1 vs. N4 comparison, with 18 genes involved in carotenoid metabolism and 16 genes involved in nitrogen metabolism. Most DE genes were enriched in the pathways of photosynthesis, porphyrin, carotenoid biosynthesis, seleno-compounds, and nitrogen metabolism. There were numerous differential transcription factor families, including ERF, bHLH, MYB, C2H2, and NAC. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between CA12g04950 expression and 11 carotenoid genes in the N4 treatment. Subsequent silencing of CA12g04950 using VIGS resulted in delayed color ripening while a significant decrease in total carotenoid content and the expression levels of carotenoid genes. In conclusion, nitrogen reduction led to an increase in carotenoid content in pigment pepper fruits. Furthermore, under nitrogen reduction, CA12g04950 positively influenced the redness of the fruits.

Eco-Friendly Extraction: A green approach to maximizing bioactive extraction from pumpkin (Curcubita moschata L.)

The research focused on optimizing the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of carotenoids and polyphenols from pumpkin powder. The study optimized accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of carotenoids and polyphenols from pumpkin powder. Using a mix of standard score (SS) and artificial neural network (ANN) methods, the extraction process was fine-tuned. The ANN model assessed extraction parameters' significance, achieving high predictability for total carotenoid content (TCC), total phenolic content (TPC), and free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH and ABTS methods). The analysis highlighted the most effective extraction at 50 % concentration, 120 °C temperature, 5 min duration, and 2 cycles, yielding high carotenoid and phenolic content (TCC 571.49 µg/g, TPC 7.85 mg GAE/g). HPLC-DAD profiles of the optimized ASE extract confirmed major carotenoids and phenolic compounds. Strong correlations were found between bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity, emphasizing potential health benefits.

A novel histone methyltransferase gene CgSDG40 positively regulates carotenoid biosynthesis during citrus fruit ripening

The flesh color of pummelo (Citrus maxima) fruits is highly diverse and largely depends on the level of carotenoids, which are beneficial to human health. It is vital to investigate the regulatory network of carotenoid biosynthesis to improve the carotenoid content in pummelo. However, the molecular mechanism underlying carotenoid accumulation in pummelo is not fully understood. In this study, we identified a novel histone methyltransferase gene, CgSDG40, involved in carotenoid regulation by analyzing the flesh transcriptome of typical white-fleshed pummelo, red-fleshed pummelo and extreme-colored F1 hybrids from a segregated pummelo population. Expression of CgSDG40 corresponded to flesh color change and was highly coexpressed with CgPSY1. Interestingly, CgSDG40 and CgPSY1 are located physically adjacent to each other on the chromosome in opposite directions, sharing a partially overlapping promoter region. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that CgSDG40 localizes to the nucleus. Overexpression of CgSDG40 significantly increased the total carotenoid content in citrus calli relative to that in wild type. In addition, expression of CgPSY1 was significantly activated in overexpression lines relative to wild type. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel histone methyltransferase regulator, CgSDG40, involved in the regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis in citrus and provide new strategies for molecular design breeding and genetic improvement of fruit color and nutritional quality.

Impacts of astaxanthin-enriched Paracoccus carotinifaciens on growth, immune responses, and reproduction performance of broodstock Nile tilapia during winter season.

The growth, immune response, and reproductive performance of broodstock of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under winter stress conditions were investigated the effects of supplementary diets with astaxanthin-enriched Paracoccus carotinifaciens. Throughout an eight-week period in the winter season, male and female tilapia were fed with diets containing different levels of P. carotinifaciens dietary supplementation: 0 g/kg (T1; control), 5 g/kg (T2), 10 g/kg (T3), and 20 g/kg (T4). Subsequently, a four-week mating system was implemented during the winter stress period. The results revealed that there were no significant differences observed in growth, hematological indices, and blood chemical profiles among all treatment groups for both male and female tilapia. However, a significant increase in cholesterol content was noted in both male and female tilapia fed with the T4 diet (p<0.05). The total carotenoid content in the muscle was evaluated, and significantly higher values were found in both male and female tilapia that fed T4 supplementation (p<0.05). Moreover, immunological parameters such as myeloperoxidase and antioxidant parameters in the liver including superoxide dismutase activity and catalase enzyme activity showed significant increases in tilapia fed with the T4 diet. The impact of P. carotinifaciens supplementation on broodstock tilapia indicated a significant increase in spermatozoa concentration in males and increased egg production in females after consumption of the T4 diet (p<0.05). Thus, this study highlighted that the presence of astaxanthin-enriched P. carotinifaciens in the diet of broodstock Nile tilapia can lead to the accumulation of carotenoids in their muscle tissue, improvement in antioxidant status, enhancement of immune function, and potential enhancement of reproductive capabilities, even under overwintering conditions.

Effect of roasting temperature on bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, phenolic profile, chemical properties, and oil extraction method on fatty acids composition of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds and oil

In this study, the effects of roasting chia seeds at different temperatures (90 and 120 °C) on total phenol, flavonoid, and carotenoid contents and antioxidant activities were examined. Additionally, the effects of different extraction methods on the phenolic components of chia seeds and the chemical properties and fatty acids of chia seed oils were investigated. Chia seed oil was extracted via Soxhlet without roasting as control, yielded 29.62%. The oils from seeds roasted at 90 °C and 120 °C had yields of 32.65% and 33.85%. The control oil had an acidity value of 4.70%. In comparison, the acidity values were 4.20% and 3.61% for the oils from seeds roasted at 90 °C and 120 °C. The total phenol result of the control sample was found to be 2.55 mg GAE/g, while the total phenol contents in Chia samples roasted at 90 °C and 120 °C are determined as 2.34 mgGAE/g and 2.14 mg GAE/g, respectively. Also, the flavonoid contents of the roasted chia samples (90 °C and 120 °C) were reported as 13.71 mgCE/g and 12.91 mgCE/g, respectively. It was observed that the application of roasting caused a decrease in quercetin and resveratrol values (p < 0.01). The highest antioxidant value (80.13%) was established in chia sample roasted at 90 °C. Quercetin, catechin, resveratrol, kaempferol and izorhamnetin were the main phenolic components of chia seeds. Other phenolic components such as syringic acid, p-cuoumeric acid, caffeic acid, and gallic acid were found at quite low levels. It was observed that of roasting application caused a decrease in quercetin and resveratrol values. The highest fatty acids in chia seeds were linoleic and linolenic acids. Linolenic and linoleic acid results of chia oils were recorded to be between 64.58 and 68.10% to 17.30 and 18.44%, respectively. The palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic (except sonication) acid contents of the chia oils obtained by Soxhlet and sonication systems from roasted seeds were found high compared to the control.

Seeking Optimal Extraction Method for Augmenting Hibiscus sabdariffa Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity

The dried flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS), available worldwide, have various applications in both non-medicinal and medicinal fields. The growing global interest in the health benefits of HS is linked to its potential prevention or management of non-communicable diseases. The aim of this research was to find the optimal extraction method that ensures the maximum yield of multiple beneficial bioactive components, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, vitamin C, β-carotene, antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging activity DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). To this end, stirring, pulsed electric field, and ultrasound-assisted extraction were evaluated, either alone or in combination. Under optimized extraction conditions, the obtained extract exhibited an elevated total polyphenol content (37.82 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight (dw)), total anthocyanin content (610.42 μg of cyanidin equivalents/g dw), total carotenoids content (921.84 μg of β-carotene equivalents/g dw), and ascorbic acid content (507.44 mg/100 g dw). Remarkably, the extracts exhibited strong antioxidant properties (487.51 μmol of ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/g dw and 243.42 μmol AAE/g dw as evidenced by FRAP and DPPH assays, respectively). This research advances the parameters that should be employed to produce the optimal and nutritionally enhanced HS flower extracts, that can be used in the commercial sector.

Resource recovery and phytoremediation of fish-processing effluents using halophyte plants

The reuse of saline effluents from the fishing industry is an appealing alternative for halophyte cultivation. The objectives of this study were to compare the growth of Atriplex lampa in hydroponics using fish-processing effluents (E) versus a control solution (Co), and to assess its potential for effluent phytoremediation. No significant differences between treatments were detected in the (fresh and dry) weight of the plants, shoots, and roots, or in the concentrations of total chlorophylls and carotenoids. Total N in leaves, stems and roots was lower in E than in Co (p < 0.05), likely due to the minor availability of inorganic N in the fish-processing effluent compared to the control. Conversely, the nutrient efficiency ratio (NER) for N was higher (p < 0.01) in plants from E than in Co, indicating an increased efficiency with which plants exposed to fish-processing effluent convert N resources into dry mass. Hydroponic cultivation reduced the effluent electrical conductivity (EC, 29.6 %), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5, 93.7 %), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD, 73.2 %), NH4+ concentration (63 %), and odor. The successful integration of A. lampa cultivation, a fodder plant used for ecological restoration of degraded drylands, with hydroponics, offered a valuable model for reusing and remediating fish-processing effluents.

Non-destructive Prediction of Quality Parameters in Alphonso Mangoes Using Near-infrared Spectroscopy: A Comprehensive Study on Physicochemical Characteristics and Ripening Dynamics

This study focuses on the application of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict key quality parameters in Alphonso mangoes, namely Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Titratable Acidity (TA), pulp firmness, and carotenoid content. Alphonso mangoes, known as the "king of fruits," are a significant tropical fruit, with India being the leading global producer. Quality control is crucial for fruit export, and the mango supply chain involves various procedures. Physiological transformations occur in mangoes from production to consumption, affecting their internal quality. The challenges in assessing internal quality factors such as soluble solids, dry matter, firmness, starch, and sugar content hinder the exportation of mangoes. The ripening process in mangoes involves metabolic changes leading to modifications in physical, mechanical, and chemical attributes. Non-destructive identification of internal defects in Alphonso mangoes is an underexplored field, with limited research on internal quality factors. The study aims to enhance understanding of light penetration into fruit tissues using numerical simulation techniques. NIR spectroscopy's significance in post-harvest technology is highlighted, and the study develops prediction models for quality parameters using Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression. The calibration models are optimized with spectral pre-processing techniques, and the Savitzky–Golay first derivative method yields favorable results. The results indicate changes in TSS, carotenoid content, firmness, and acidity during storage, providing insights into mango ripening dynamics. The Unscrambler software is employed for multivariate analysis, emphasizing the importance of the 600–1000 nm wavelength range. The study contributes to the development of portable instruments for rapid and accurate quality prediction of Alphonso mangoes in the supply chain.

Supercritical CO2 extraction of carotenoids from high Andean forest bee pollen

An oily bee pollen extract was obtained using the supercritical fluid technique (SFE) using CO2 as a solvent and conditions of pressure: 28 MPa, temperature: 60°C, gas flow: 5 L/min, and duration: 6 h. Initially, pollen samples were collected from different municipalities of Colombia, selected, and analyzed according to the content of total carotenoids (CCT) and yield of the extraction process. The results show CCT between 119 and 2140 µg β-carotene/g of sample, with yield percentages in obtaining oily extracts between 3 – 5%. For CCT in the oily extract, 385–6942 µg β-carotene/g of extract were obtained, where Guatavita pollen was the one with the highest content. According to the investigation, the authors derived that the technique of SFE positively affected the exine layer, shown in the observations by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).