Carotenoid Pigment Content Research Articles

Effect of crop season on the composition of virgin olive oil with protected designation of origin “Les garrigues”

AbstractIn recent years a growing demand for agricultural produce with an identifiable geographical origin has developed. The aim of this work was to study differences in quality and composition of virgin olive oils produced over four consecutive crop seasons in the region of the protected designation of origin “Les Garrigues” (Catalonia, Spain), taking the harvesting period and the climatic conditions of the year into consideration. The results obtained in this study indicate that virgin olive oil composition is greatly influenced by climatic conditions, mainly the cumulative rainfall in the case of FA composition and phenolic compounds, and the minimum temperatures during harvest period in the case of chlorophyll, carotenoid pigments, and α‐tocopherol content. The harvest period influenced most of the parameters analyzed, apart from the PV and FFA content. Prediction models for carotenoid pigment content, oxidative stability, and bitter index were found.

Effect of thermal pasteurization on Valencia orange juice color and pigments

Changes in carotenoid pigment content and juice color due to thermal pasteurization of Valencia orange juices were studied. Total carotenoid pigment content loss was significant ( P<0.05) after thermal pasteurization at 90°C for 30 s. Thermal effects on carotenoid pigment contents, especially on violaxanthin (−46.4%) and antheraxanthin (−24.8%), were clearly observed. With the loss of violaxanthin and antheraxanthin, lutein became the major carotenoid, followed by zeaxanthin, in pasteurized Valencia orange juice. There was perceptible color change after orange juice pasteurization, which led to juice color becoming lighter and more saturated. Decreases in CIE a* value and increases in CIE L*, b*, h*, and C* are the major color changes after pasteurization. Overall increases in reflected light might also influence the perception of color to a great extent in pasteurized orange juice. Total color differences (Δ E*) compared to the fresh juice was 2.92±0.97 ( P<0.05).

Characterization of carotenoid high-producing Capsicum annuum cultivars selected for paprika production.

Twelve selected pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars, bred for mechanical harvesting (grouped ripeness) and adaptation to different cultivation cycles (short to long), have been characterized by their carotenoid pigment content and composition with the aim of producing high-quality paprika. A detailed analysis of the carotenogenesis was performed throughout the ripening process, but with special emphasis on the ripe stage, with the aim of selecting the best cultivar for paprika production. The MA1 cultivar (with grouped ripeness and very short cultivation cycle) showed the highest carotenoid content (12697.58 mg/kg dwt), followed by DN5 and RN2 cultivars with 11086.88 and 10393.29 mg/kg dwt, respectively. Most of the cultivars (MA3, RN1, LR2, LR7, DN3, DR6, Datler, and Mulato) showed a total carotenoid content in the range of 7000-9700 mg/kg dwt. In general, chlorophyll-retaining character was related to high carotenoid content (cultivars DN3, DN5, MA3, Mulato, RN1, and RN2). The general trend of the cultivation cycle was that the shorter the cycle, the higher the total carotenoid content (as exemplified by the cultivar MA1). The lowest total carotenoid content was found for the RR1 cultivar (4856.77 mg/kg dwt), which showed the longest cultivation cycle. Carotenogenic capacity of the cultivars has been discussed relative to total carotenoid content and the R/Y and Caps/Zeax ratios, the main quality traits for breeding cultivars for production of high-quality paprika. The cultivar MA1, with the highest total carotenoid content, high R/Y (2.11) ratio, and highest Caps/Zeax (9.85) ratio, was found to be the most suitable cultivar for paprika production in terms of carotenoid pigment biosynthesis capacity. Moreover, this cultivar has a short cultivation cycle and grouped ripeness, which are both important characteristics for a proper application of mechanical harvesting. The potential improvement of other varieties is also discussed.

Dietary carotenoids predict plumage coloration in wild house finches.

Carotenoid pigments are a widespread source of ornamental coloration in vertebrates and expression of carotenoid-based colour displays has been shown to serve as an important criterion in female mate choice in birds and fishes. Unlike other integumentary pigments, carotenoids cannot be synthesized; they must be ingested. Carotenoid-based coloration is condition-dependent and has been shown to be affected by both parasites and nutritional condition. A controversial hypothesis is that the expression of carotenoid-based coloration in wild vertebrates is also affected by the amount and types of carotenoid pigments that are ingested. We tested this carotenoid-limitation hypothesis by sampling the gut contents of moulting house finches and comparing the concentration of carotenoid pigments in their gut contents with the colour of growing feathers. We found a positive association: males that ingested food with a higher concentration of carotenoid pigments grew brighter ornamental plumage. We also compared the concentration of carotenoids in the gut contents of males from two subspecies of house finches with small and large patches of carotenoid-based coloration. Consistent with the hypothesis that carotenoid access drives the evolution of carotenoid-based colour displays, males from the population with limited ornamentation had much lower concentrations of carotenoids in their gut contents than males from the population with extensive ornamentation. These observations support the idea that carotenoid intake plays a part in determining the plumage brightness of male house finches.

Color Changes and Carotenoid Pigment Loss in Retentate from Star Ruby Grapefruit Juice under Refrigerated Conditions.

Retentate, highly pigmented pulp, from red colored Star Ruby grapefruit juice was placed in glass test tubes and stored in a refrigerated locker at 4.5°C for 8 weeks. The effect of light exposure (Cool White Fluorescence, 4150 K) on visual color changes using CIE color parameters (L*, a*, b*, hue angle, and chroma), and predominant carotenoid pigment (lycopene, β-carotene) contents by HPLC were investigated during the storage period. The changes in color parameters in the retentate were small, causing a slight color shift. Gradual decline of CIE a* value indicated the apparent loss of red character in the samples. Total carotenoid concentration gradually declined by more than 25% for both samples after 8 weeks of storage, but no significant effect of light-exposure on pigment loss was observed. Analysis of lycopene and β-carotene by HPLC indicated slight differences in loss but were not statistically significant under this condition.

Characteristics of hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil

Characteristics of oil extracted from hempseeds subjected to microwave treatments were evaluated. Microwave treatment improved oil yield, increased carotenoid and other pigment contents and decreased p-anisidine value without significant changes in other properties. Hempseed oil showed absorbance in the UV-B and UV-C ranges with potential for use as a broad spectrum UV protectant. b-Tocopherol concentrations increased, while the major tocopherol, g-tocopherol, and fattyacid composition of the oil were unaffected bymicrowave treatment of hempseed. Hempseed oil showed high kinetic stabilityduring heating and cooling, as characterized bydifferential scanning calorimetry(DSC). Microwave treatment shifted the melting range of oils to lower temperatures and increased oxidation temperatures, suggesting increased protective effect upon heating. Crown Copyright # 2001 Published byElsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influencia del secado lento a baja temperatura en el contenido carotenoide de dos variedades de pimiento (&lt;i&gt;Capsicum annuum&lt;/i&gt; L.). Balance biosintético y/o degradativo en función de las condiciones de procesado

A study of drying process at low temperature of two varieties of pepper for paprika ( Capsicum annuum L. cv Jaranda and Jariza ) according to the traditional techniques of La Vera region is carried out controlling simultaneously the characteristics of the fruits before and after of the dehydration process and the conditions used. Correspondences have been found between the initial moisture of the fruits, the drying parameters (temperature and time), and the increase and/or loss (including its corresponding quantity) in carotenoid pigment content. The favorable conditions to produce a pigment content increase, that indicates the existence of a biosynthetic process, are those including a healthy raw material with high moisture values and temperature of dried moderate - low (50 oC) without extending unnecessarily the dehydration time (just to obtain the adequate texture for the grinding).

Change in the natural ratio between chlorophylls and carotenoids in olive fruit during processing for virgin olive oil

AbstractDifferent varieties of olives from different sources, harvested in a similar ripeness state, have been characterized by their chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment profile and content. Pigment richness is inherent to the variety and enables great differences or similarities to be established between them. In all the fruits, ripening involves pigment loss, with the disappearance of chlorophylls always being slightly greater than that of carotenoids. However, independently of variety and the different pitment content of the fruits, the ratio between chlorophylls and carotenoids tends to remain more or less constant, within a range of 2.5 to 3.7 mg total chlorophyll/mg total carotenoid. Pigment loss caused by the extraction process is more marked for the chlorophyll fraction than for the carotenoids, changing the ratio in the oil to around one unit, whatever the variety of soruce fruit.

Physiological impacts of Mg deficiency in Pinus radiata: growth and photosynthesis

This paper reports the effects of nutrient magnesium (Mg) concentrations on the growth and photosynthetic physiology of clonal Pinus radiata from four female parents (families) known to differ in their tolerance to Mg deficiency and in their needle Mg concentrations. Plants were grown in flowing nutrient solutions with 2 mg l−1 (control) and 0.8 mg l−1 (low) Mg. Plant growth, needle Mg concentration, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and carotenoid pigment content were measured. At low Mg, needle Mg concentration was about half that of control plants, height growth was reduced 15–25%, and the needles showed strong visual characteristics of Mg deficiency. Photosynthesis was also halved, and was associated with closure of the stomata under low Mg and with reductions in the residual conductance. In needles from plants grown at low Mg, photochemical yield was reduced both in the light and in the dark, and was strongly dependent on needle Mg concentrations below a threshold concentration of 0.02–0.025% (d. wt basis). The electron transport rate (ETR) at saturating photon flux density in low‐Mg‐grown needles was reduced to about half that of their Mg controls, but the photon efficiency of ETR was unaffected by the Mg concentration the plants were grown in. Photosynthetic quenching was markedly reduced and non‐photosynthetic quenching was increased following growth in low Mg. Growth under low Mg also increased levels of zeaxanthin. Although family differences in growth and photosynthetic physiology were present, few family × Mg interactions were significant. We conclude that Mg deficiency probably affects growth through severe reductions in photosynthesis.

EFFECTS OF MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA, FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F.SP. PISI, RHIZOBIUM SP., AND DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES ON GROWTH, CHLOROPHYLL, AND CAROTENOID PIGMENTS OF PEA

The effects ofMeloidogyne incognita, Fusarium oxysporumf.sp.pisi, Rhizobiumsp., and different soil types on growth and chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments of pea were examined in single, simultaneous, and sequential inoculations. Soil with a 3:1 (v:v) clay:sand ratio produced the most plant growth and the largest concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments when compared with the other soil types.Meloidogyne incognitaandF. oxysporumalone caused similar reductions in plant growth and concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments while inoculation of the latter pathogen induced wilt symptoms.M. incognitaandF. oxysporuminteracted to show severe wilt symptoms compared withF. oxysporumalone. In single inoculation,Rhizobiumsp. increased plant growth and chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment concentrations while its inoculation with pathogens reduced damage caused by them. Inoculation ofRhizobiumsp. prior to pathogens was more effective in reducing damage than simultaneous inoculation. Inoculation of the pathogens prior toRhizobiumsp. resulted in more damage than simultaneous inoculation.F. oxysporumandRhizobiumsp. decreased nematode multiplication. The severity of wilt disease was greatest in 1:3 and 0:4 clay:sand ratio, while least in 3:1 clay:sand mixture.

Influences of grazing on temporal patterns of algal pigments in suspended and sedimenting algae in a north temperate lake

The concentrations of phytoplankton pigments in suspended and settling particles were measured in Trout Lake, Wisconsin, U.S.A., during the 1993 ice-free season. A decrease in water column concentrations of chlorophyll a coincident with an increase in pheophorbide and pheophytin concentrations occurred during a "clear-water" phase in June. The lack of a corresponding decrease in carotenoid pigment concentrations indicated that carotenoid pigments were degraded to a lesser extent than chlorophyll a during this period of heavy grazing pressure. Chlorophyll a, pheophorbide, and pheophytin showed temporal trends in fluxes to sediment traps that were similar for all pigments but did not correspond to trends in water column pigment concentration. Fucoxanthin concentrations and microscopic examination indicated that the sedimentation of large, dense diatoms increased the sedimentation rate of chlorophyll during the clear-water phase. In addition, ungrazed diatoms apparently were the main source of pheophorbide in trap material during the clear-water phase, indicating that pheophorbide should not be used as a surrogate for fecal pellet sedimentation in lakes influenced by the sedimentation of large diatoms.

Chromosomal localization of genes for carotenoid pigments using addition lines of Hordeum chilense in wheat

Abstract×Tritordeum sp. (Ascherson et Graebner) is the amphiploid obtained after chromosome doubling of hybrids between Hordeum chilense (Roem. et Schult.) and diploid, tetraploid or hexaploid wheats. Tritordeums have consistently higher carotenoid pigment contents than durum or bread wheat. Two distinct H. chilense accessions (used for the synthesis of tritordeum) were analysed for this trait. The chromosomal localization of the genes coding the ability of H. chilense to increase the carotene content of wheat were carried out using two sets of wheat‐ H. chilense addition lines. The a arm of chromosome 7Hch is proposed to be responsible for the high carotene content in tritordeum. The implication of this finding in wheat breeding is discussed.

The nature and the content of carotenoid pigments from faded leaves of Aesculus hippocastanum L.

Faded leaves of Aesculus hippocastanum L. harvested in October and November have a high and various content of carotenoids. The content of lutein and zeaxanthin is much higher in faded leaves than in the green ones, that is why they are recommended as an important natural source for extraction (at an industrial level) of the mentioned carotenoids. Faded leaves have a low biological value, because they have a low content of provitaminic A carotenoids. They have also a low content of hydrocarbon carotenoids, but a high hydroxylic and epoxydic content.

Ecological implications of cultured mussel biodeposition for a short food web under winter conditions in the mediterranean sea

ln order to investigate trophic relationships in a simplified food chain including mussel biodeposition, in situ experiments were performed in an estuarine mussel-rope cultivation (Gulf of Fos). Cylindrical enclosures were placed at a depth of 2 m for one month during winter (sea temperature 10°C). Shrimps, Palaemon serratus, were kept in the cylinders, with and without mussel biodeposits as food supply. A control group was fed on mussel flesh. A comparison between the different biochemical components in both food and feeders was undertaken at three trophic levels; phytoplankton, mussels and shrimps. Under oligotrophic water conditions, shrimps could feed on mussel biodeposits. There were no noticeable differences between shrimps fed on mussel tissue or shrimps fed on mussel biodeposits, either in lipid and protein content, or in free amino acid, fatty acid or carotenoid pigment content. On the other hand, fasted shrimps exhibited significant modifications. The ecological significance of such anenergy flow pathway in intensive shellfish cultivation zones is discussed.

Changes in Myxococcus xanthus pigments induced by phosphate and temperature

Pigment levels have been measured in a number of wild strains and colour mutants of Myxococcus xanthus. The non-carotenoid yellow pigment and carotenoid pigment contents changed according to growth temperature and phosphate concentrations in liquid media. The highest content of both types of pigment was observed at 28°C with all strains. A high phosphate concentration depressed pigment content in both wild and mutant strains at all temperatures, except with two colour mutants, where the pigments levels remained unchanged at 28°C and 33°C.

Variations des pigments caroténoïdes totaux dans i'ovaire et i'hépatopancréas de Penaeus schmitti au cours de la maturation ovarienne

Total carotenoids were measured in the ovaries and hepatopancreas of the shrimp Penaeus schmitii during sexual development. The content of carotanoid pigments in the ovaries increased from 39.23 μg/g for a gonadosomatic index (GSI) of 0.8 to 463.37 μg/g for a GSl of 7.5. The content of carotenoid pigments in the hepatopancreas increased from 237.3 μg/g for a GSl of 0.5 to 588.2 μg/g for a GSl of 2.2, then decreased to 391 μg/g for a GSl of 7.8. Relations with lipid metabolism and possibility of mobilization of carotenoid pigments from the hepatopancreas to ovaries during the sexual development are discussed.

PHYSIOLOGICAL MODIFICATIONS RELATED TO DENSITY INCREASE IN PERIPHYTIC ASSEMBLAGES 1

ABSTRACT Periphytic communities in running waters were examined as they developed on granite rocks, concrete balls and glass slides. At equivalent cell densities, no differences in pigment concentrations, species diversity or production levels were found among the different substrata examined. Development of the assemblage appeared to result from the elongation of short algal filaments which had initially settled on the surface. As these communities matured, a distinct canopy and understory developed. Cellular metabolisms were comparable among the communities. In the understory of the communities, even though the cellular content of chl a and b did not differ, chl c and carotenoid pigment concentrations were higher than those in the over‐story. Bicarbonate assimilation of Tabellaria fenestrata (Lyng.) Külz. and Eunotia pectinalisi var. pectinalis (O. F. Müll?) Rabh. was higher than that of the more abundant Tabellaria flocculosa (Roth.)Kütz. var. flocculosa IV (sensu Koppen) at both high and low cell densities. This probably reflects a seasonal succession of colonizing species. Glucose assimilation appeared to be mainly attributable to bacterial activity, and algal cells of the upper layer were less active than those of the bottom. The small amount of glucose that was incorporated by the algal cells was probably absorbed passively since its amount was in direct proportion to cell volumes.

Quantitative aspects of carotenoid pigment circadian variations in the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus

The carotenoid pigment concentrations of whole animal, epidermis and hepatopancreas of the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus were studied every three hours during a period of 24 h. The extract of whole animal exhibits a total pigment concentration which remains noticeably stable. Circadian variations were observed in extracts from the hepatopancreas and epidermis; the maxima observed for the epidermis as well as the minima recorded for the hepatopancreas are related to the alternating light and dark periods. The symmetry of such variations suggests a transfer of pigment between the two tissues.

Lipid content and composition of some midwater crustaceans from the Southern Ocean

The decapods Pasiphaea scotiae (Stebbing), P. rathbunae (Stebbing), Petalidium foliaceum Bate and Acanthephyra pelagica (Risso) and the mysid Gnathophausia gigas (W.-Suhm) have been sampled from the Southern Ocean. Lipid contents were generally very high, 5 to 25% fresh weight in immature and male Pasiphaea scotiae, 7 to 17% in Acanthephyra pelagica and up to 20% in both Gnathophausia gigas and Petalidium foliaceum. Carotenoid pigment contents were also high compared with benthic decapods. In most species the major storage lipid was wax ester, although in Pasiphaea scotiae triacylglycerol was of equal or greater importance. Fatty acid compositions were typical of marine invertebrates from pelagic and shallow-water benthic habitats, although P. scotiae and Acanthephyra pelagica contained substantial levels of 20:1 in the triacylglycerol. Wax ester alcohol compositions were unusual in that both 20:1 and 22:1 were present as a suite of positional isomers. The variation in lipid content and composition with sex and season in both Pasiphaea scotiae and Acanthephyra pelagica indicated that the major factor influencing lipid storage in these organisms was the pattern of food availability, although they would clearly also benefit from the associated increased buoyancy. High-latitude midwater crustaceans contain much more lipid than the same or related species from lower latitudes. This parallels the increasing seasonally of production towards the poles, indicating that this seasonality influences the biology of the underlying mesopelagic community.

Lipid biochemistry and reproductive biology in two species of Gammaridae (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

Gammarus oceanicus Segerstrale, 1947 and Echinogammarus marinus (Leach, 1815) were sampled during the breeding season from Oslofjord in 1984, and their lipid composition examined in relation to reproductive condition. In G. oceanicus, female lipid content increased as the ovary matured. Both the amount of lipid stored and the rate of accumulation were greater in spring than in winter. Spring eggs contained 12.4 μg lipid, of which 63% was triacylglycerol and 27% phospholipid. Both fractions decreased steadily during embryonic development. Winter eggs contained 19.2μg lipid, of which 52% was triacylglycerol and 43% phospholipid. During the early stages of embryonic development the amount of phospholipid decreased sharply, whereas that of triacylglycerol increased, suggesting that some of the fatty acid released from phospholipid was sequestered temporarily as triacylglycerol. When newly spawned, both winter and spring eggs were richer in monoenoic fatty acids than adult amphipods and these acids were the major fuel consumed during development. ω6 fatty acids were utilised more slowly than ω3 acids, and egg carotenoid pigment content remained constant. Female E. marinus increased in lipid content as the ovary matured. Spring eggs contained 14.7 μg lipid when newly spawned and this increased to 16.6 μg during the early stages of development. This increase was entirely triacylglycerol, which declined in later stages; the source of the extra lipid was unclear. Eggs contained very little phospholipid or sterol, and both of these components remained at a steady low level during development. E. marinus eggs were not significantly rich in thonoenoic acids compared with adults, and saturated, monoenoic and polyenoic acids were utilised about equally during development. Both adults and eggs were rich in 20.4ω6, which was utilised at a slower rate than the ω3 polyunsaturated acids during embryonic development; again, egg carotenoid pigment content remained constant. In both species there was a decrease in the size of the egg (and as a result, of the newly hatched juvenile), but an increase in total reproductive output (i.e., the total weight of the egg clutch) per female as the breeding season proceeded. The reproductive output of an individual female is probably related to food availability during the period of ovarian maturation, whereas the size of an individual egg is dictated largely by feeding conditions for the juveniles once they are independent of the female. The different patterns of lipid utilisation during development found in this study emphasize the flexibility of response in the reproductive biology of gammarid amphipods. It is not yet possible, however, to relate the differing patterns in a simple way either to egg size or total female reproductive output. Two outstanding problems are the source of extra triacylglycerol during the early stages of development of E. marinus and the metabolic cost of brooding eggs.