Individual Carotenoids Research Articles

The Na+ /Ca2+ antiporter slr0681 affects carotenoid production in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under high-light stress.

Carotenoids play key roles in photosynthesis and are widely used in foods as natural pigments, antioxidants, and health-promoting compounds. Enhancing carotenoid production in microalgae via biotechnology has become an important area of research. We knocked out the Na+ /Ca2+ antiporter gene slr0681 in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 via homologous recombination and evaluated the effects on carotenoid production under normal (NL) and high-light (HL) conditions. On day 7 of NL treatment in calcium ion (Ca2+ )-free medium, the cell density of Δslr0681 decreased by 29% compared to the wild type (WT). After 8 days of HL treatment, the total carotenoid contents decreased by 35% in Δslr0681, and the contents of individual carotenoids were altered: myxoxanthophyll, echinenone, and β-carotene contents increased by 10%, 50%, and 40%, respectively, while zeaxanthin contents decreased by ~40% in Δslr0681 versus the WT. The expression patterns of carotenoid metabolic pathway genes also differed: ipi expression increased by 1.2- to 8.5-fold, whereas crtO and crtR expression decreased by ~90% and 60%, respectively, in ∆slr0681 versus the WT. In addition, in ∆slr0681, the expression level of psaB (encoding a photosystem I structural protein) doubled, whereas the expression levels of the photosystem II genes psbA2 and psbD decreased by ~53% and 84%, respectively, compared to the WT. These findings suggest that slr0681 plays important roles in regulating carotenoid biosynthesis and structuring of the photosystems in Synechocystis sp. This study provides a theoretical basis for the genetic engineering of microalgae photosystems to increase their economic benefits and lays the foundation for developing microalgae germplasm resources with high carotenoid contents. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The dynamic changes in pigment metabolites provide a new understanding of the colouration of Pyracantha fortuneana at maturity

The type, content and accumulation characteristics of pigments are the material basis for fruit colour and the evaluation basis of the fruit maturity and nutritional value of P. fortuneana. However, little information is available on the changes in carotenoids, anthocyanins, procyanidins and major flavones during the ripening process of P. fortuneana fruits. Thus, this study investigated the colour conversion characteristics, the main changes in the above four metabolites and the association landscape with those metabolites. The results showed that thirty-nine kinds of carotenoids and derivatives, eighteen anthocyanins, five procyanidins and five flavone compounds were identified in the fruits of P. fortuneana. The total content and contents of most individual carotenoids, anthocyanins, procyanidins and flavones reached the highest values at the TS2, TS4, TS1 and TS1 stages, respectively. Among the variations, the contents of β-carotene and lutein increased first and then decreased, cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside accumulated, the concentrations of procyanidin C1 and procyanidin B2 decreased, and the contents of rutin and quercetin-3-O-glucoside also decreased; these changers were responsible for the main changes in carotenoids, anthocyanidin, procyanidins and flavones, respectively. For the correlation analysis results, there might be two modes of action that together affected the colour conversion of P. fortuneana fruits during ripening, i.e., (E/Z)-phytoene communicated with the carotenoid metabolic pathway that might promote the accumulated ABA content, which might cause the increased anthocyanidin (primarily through cyanidin-3-(6-malonyl-beta-d-glucoside) (C3MG)) at the final stage; most of the decreased flavone and procyanidin metabolites produced by the flavonoid metabolic pathway were another important factor affecting the accumulation of C3MG.

Provitamin A retention and sensory acceptability of landrace orange maize (MW5021) food products among school-aged children living in rural Malawi

Landrace orange maize is rich in carotenoids and is thought to be a potentially sustainable solution for Vitamin A deficiency. This study evaluated the acceptability of landrace orange maize food products among school-aged children living in rural Malawi. It also determined the retention of provitamin A carotenoids after storage in an uncontrolled environment, followed by milling and cooking. Sensory evaluations of porridge and nsima (thick porridge) were carried out in school-aged children (n = 160) using a 7-point hedonic scale. Total carotenoid content (TCC) was analysed using a spectrophotometric method and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the specific carotenoid composition of the food products. Sensory evaluation results showed a higher acceptance of landrace orange maize food products in comparison to those commonly prepared from white maize. Plain porridge scored 6.5 ± 1.4 and 5.6 ± 1.9 for orange and white maize, respectively. Similar results were observed with nsima. Orange maize nsima received a score of 6.8 ± 0.7 while white maize was evaluated at 5.8 ± 1.9. After 10 months of storage and processing, there was 89% retention of total carotenoids with 59% accounted for by evaluation of individual carotenoids. Despite the total degradation of beta-carotene, 42% retention of beta-cryptoxanthin with provitamin A activity was observed. Encouraging the production of landrace orange maize appears to be a useful strategy for providing Malawian farmers with carotenoid-rich foods with high palatability. It presents a cost-effective option to reduce dependence on supplementation and fortification.Graphical

Skin Carotenoids Measured by Reflection Spectroscopy Correlate With Dietary Carotenoid Intake in Racially and Ethnically Diverse US Toddlers From Houston, Texas

BackgroundMethods to objectively assess fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in young children are needed in order to support rigorous assessments of policies and interventions. Noninvasive skin carotenoid concentration measurements may provide a rapid assessment of toddler carotenoid and carotenoid-rich FV intake. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy-measured skin carotenoid score (SCS) with proxy-reported carotenoid and FV intake in racially and ethnically diverse US toddlers. DesignThis study was a secondary analysis of data obtained from a randomized controlled 10-week study of the effect of an interactive healthy playgroup intervention vs classroom parent education on the diet and physical activity of toddlers. This study collected skin carotenoid and 1-week dietary intake using a 31-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire analyzed by the Nutrient Data System for Research nutrient database. The current study determined dietary predictors of toddler SCS. Participants/settingParticipants were racially and ethnically diverse US toddlers (12 to 36 months) and adult guardian dyads (n = 50) recruited from the community in Houston, TX from fall 2018 to spring 2019. Main outcome measuresAt baseline and 10 to 12 weeks after baseline, SCS was measured by means of pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy (Veggie Meter, Longevity Link Corporation), guardians reported toddler diet using a food frequency questionnaire, and carotenoid intake was estimated from the food frequency questionnaire responses using a nutrient database. Statistical analysisThe relationship between toddler SCS and intake of total and individual carotenoid species and FV servings was tested using generalized linear mixed models, controlling for body mass index-for-age percentiles, group assignment, and age. ResultsSCS was positively and significantly predicted by estimated intakes of total carotenoids (P = .002), β-carotene (P ≤ .001), and lutein and zeaxanthin (P = .003). Reported intakes of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene were not predictors of SCS. SCS was predicted by estimated total FV intake (P = .047) and vegetable intake (P = .006), but not fruit intake (P = .580). ConclusionsThese results showed that reported dietary carotenoid intake is a significant predictor of SCS in an ethnically and racially diverse population of US toddlers. Toddler skin carotenoid measurement holds promise as a rapid, objective, noninvasive biomarker of dietary carotenoid intake.

Kernel properties related to carotenoid release during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion in commercial dent maize hybrids

The objective of study was to investigate the relationships between maize kernel properties and carotenoid release during simulated gastrointestinal digestion of 103 hybrids of dent type. Commercial maize hybrids significantly differed in kernel hardness, chemical composition and carotenoid profile. Across all hybrids, the amount of digestible individual carotenoids increased as follows: β-carotene < α-cryptoxanthin < β-cryptoxanthin < lutein < zeaxanthin. The amount of digested carotenoids correlated negatively with amylose content and amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, while it correlated positively with the content of neutral detergent fibres and amylopectin as well as the Stenvert index. However, the content of endosperm lipids could not be related to carotenoid digestibility. Findings clearly indicate that the carotenoid release from the kernel during digestion is related to specific physical and chemical properties, leading to a better understanding of the effects of kernel matrix structure on carotenoid digestibility in dent-type maize hybrids.

A Comprehensive Genome-Wide Association Study of Carotenoid and Capsaicinoid Contents in Capsicum chinense Germplasm.

Pepper is a highly important vegetable globally, both economically and nutritionally. However, to efficiently select and identify genetic resources for pepper breeding programs, it is crucial to understand the association between important traits and genetic factors. In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of carotenoid and capsaicinoid content in 160 Capsicum chinense germplasms. The study observed significant variability in carotenoid and capsaicinoid content among the germplasms. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between violaxanthin and antheraxanthin. In contrast, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin displayed negative correlations with individual carotenoids but exhibited a strong positive correlation between the two compounds (r = 0.90 ***). Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was performed on 160 genotypes of pepper germplasm, which identified 47,810 high-quality SNPs. A comprehensive genome-wide association analysis was performed using these SNPs to identify SNPs associated with carotenoids and capsaicinoids, revealing 193 SNPs that exhibited significant associations. Specifically, 4 SNPs were associated with violaxanthin, 2 with antheraxanthin, 86 with capsorubin, 5 with capsanthin, 63 with zeaxanthin, 3 with β-cryptoxanthin, and 2 with α-carotene. With further studies, the significantly associated SNPs identified in this study have the potential to be utilized for selecting pepper accessions with high carotenoid and capsaicinoid contents. Additionally, the genes associated with these significant SNPs will be used to understand their roles and involvement in the biosynthesis pathway of carotenoids and capsaicinoids. Understanding the function of these genes can provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the production of these bioactive compounds in pepper. The findings of this study hold valuable implications for selecting pepper varieties with desirable traits and developing breeding programs aimed at enhancing the nutritional and medicinal properties of pepper.

Carotenoid composition in twenty ulam species as potential halal active pharmaceutical ingredients

Ulam is a traditional Southeast Asian vegetable that has been consumed and practised by old folks for decades. Several studies have found that ulam has numerous benefits, including being high in natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, vitamins, and minerals and being used as an early illness preventive method. Even yet, many ulam have yet to be identified and documented. This study aimed to identify the carotenoid content and composition in a variety of ulam species as a potential halal active pharmaceutical ingredient. The individual carotenoid composition was examined in twenty ulam species with three groups of distinct parts: leaves, fruits, and rhizomes. Using HPLC analysis, neoxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene were the primary carotenoids discovered in the overall species. The results presented 12 species with 4 carotenoid pigments, 4 species with 3 carotenoid pigments, 2 species with 2 carotenoid pigments and 2 species with 1 carotenoid pigment. Mentha arvensis (51.38±0.24 µg/g DW) has substantially greater neoxanthin. In contrast, Manihot esculenta (1179±9.90 µg/g DW), (457±2.12 µg/g DW), and (2434.5±5.66 µg/g DW) had significantly higher β-carotene, lutein, and violaxanthin, respectively. Naturally available carotenoid sources as prospective components for halal pharmaceutical products will be discovered as a result of this research. These proven findings have also given communities the confidence to include ulam in their daily diets because it is a natural source with exceptional biological qualities.

Seasonal Differences in Leaf Photoprotective Potential between Adults and Juveniles of Two Mediterranean Perennials with Distinct Growth Forms: A Comparative Field Study.

The photosynthetic differences between adult and juvenile Mediterranean plants were previously studied under field conditions, yet the corresponding differentiation of their photoprotective efficiency has not been sufficiently investigated. The present study aims to examine possible differences in the photoprotective potential between adults and juveniles of two native Mediterranean plants with distinct growth forms. Thus, the seasonal variations in individual carotenoids, electron transport rate (ETR), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were monitored in fully exposed mature leaves from adults and juveniles of the winter deciduous tree Cercis siliquastrum L. and the evergreen sclerophyllous shrub Nerium oleander L. All plants were grown under apparently similar field conditions. In both species, juveniles displayed substantially lower ETR and increased NPQ values than adults in spring, with the differences intensifying during summer drought and diminishing in autumn. Concomitantly, juveniles showed significantly higher chlorophyll-based total carotenoids in spring and summer mainly due to the higher investment in xanthophyll cycle components (VAZ), in combination with an increased mid-day de-epoxidation state (DEPS) and partial retention of zeaxanthin in the dark. In N. oleander, although ETR was lower in juveniles during winter, NPQ was extremely low in both ages. In conclusion, juveniles exhibit enhanced photoprotection potential, especially in the summer, due to their reduced photochemical capacity. The photosynthetic superiority of adults during the favorable spring period may be attributed to the needs of the co-existing reproductive effort.

Diversity of Red Yeasts in Various Regions and Environments of Poland and Biotechnological Potential of the Isolated Strains

Due to the growing demand for natural carotenoids, researchers have been searching for strains that are capable of efficient synthesis of these compounds. This study tested 114 red yeast strains collected from various natural environments and food specimens in Poland. The strains were isolated by their ability to produce red or yellow pigments in rich nutrient media. According to potential industrial significance of the carotenoids, both their total production and share of individual carotenoids (β-carotene, γ-carotene, torulene, and torularhodin) were analyzed. The total content of carotenoid pigments in the yeast dry matter ranged from 13.88 to 406.50 µg/g, and the percentages of individual carotenoids highly varied among the strains. Most of the yeast isolates synthesized torulene at the highest amount. Among the studied strains, isolates with a total carotenoid content in biomass greater than 200 µg/g and those containing more than 60% torularhodin were selected for identification (48 strains). The identified strains belonged to six genera: Rhodotorula, Sporidiobolus, Sporobolomyces, Buckleyzyma, Cystofilobasidium, and Erythrobasidium. The largest number of isolates belonged to Rhodotorula babjevae (18), Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (7), Sporidiobolus pararoseus (4), and Rhodotorula glutinis (4).

Characterisation of Diospyros kaki (persimmon) vinegars produced with different microorganisms

The aim of this work was to evaluate the characteristics of nine kaki vinegars produced using different yeasts and bacteria traditionally involved in wine production, and to evaluate their acidity, density, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the study characterized the volatile fingerprinting by headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) and by two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOF-MS). Finally, individual carotenoids were characterized using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). More than a thousand distinguishing molecules were found. It was discovered that vinegars fermented with S. cerevisiae produced a larger number of volatile chemicals. Among the three vinegars produced with this strain, the one fermented with Acetobacter_vino seemed to have a more elaborate flavour profile than all the other samples. The vinegar produced utilizing the mixture of T. delbruekii and Acetobacter was the only kind to have a high concentration of carotenoids.

Characterizing carotenoids in cyanobacterial cultures – Opportunities and implications for paleolimnological studies

Cyanobacterial blooms are increasing in frequency and intensity globally, impacting lake ecosystem health and posing a risk to human and animal health due to the toxins they can produce. Cyanobacterial pigments preserved in lake sediments provide a useful means of understanding the changes that have led to cyanobacterial blooms in lakes. However, there is some uncertainty as to whether specific carotenoids are unique to certain genera or types of cyanobacteria. To fill this knowledge gap, we analyzed pigments in 34 cyanobacteria cultures and applied the findings to sediments from three New Zealand lakes. The cyanobacterial carotenoids canthaxanthin, echinenone and zeaxanthin were detected in all cultures, whereas myxoxanthophyll was only detected in ten cultures (Microcoleus, Planktothrix and the picocyanobacteria cultures; Synechococcaceae). The sum of the individual carotenoid concentrations provided the strongest relationship with cyanobacterial biomass (R2 = 0.58) and could be used in paleolimnology studies to evaluate general cyanobacterial abundance. Ratios of canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin and myxoxanthophyll relative to echinenone indicated that carotenoid ratios could be used to differentiate picocyanobacteria and bloom-forming cyanobacteria, to some degree. High zeaxanthin/echinenone ratios were measured in picocyanobacteria and low zeaxanthin/echinenone ratios were measured in bloom-forming cyanobacteria. The zeaxanthin/echinenone ratio was applied to sediment core samples where the cyanobacterial community was also evaluated by 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding, with the zeaxanthin/echinenone ratios showing similar patterns to those observed in the cultures. The preliminary assessment described here suggests that zeaxanthin/echinenone ratios could provide a valuable paleoecological proxy for evaluating historical shifts in cyanobacterial communities and warrants further exploration.

Algal Carotenoids: Chemistry, Sources, and Application.

Recently, the isolation and identification of various biologically active secondary metabolites from algae have been of scientific interest, with particular attention paid to carotenoids, widely distributed in various photosynthetic organisms, including algal species. Carotenoids are among the most important natural pigments, with many health-promoting effects. Since the number of scientific studies on the presence and profile of carotenoids in algae has increased exponentially along with the interest in their potential commercial applications, this review aimed to provide an overview of the current knowledge (from 2015) on carotenoids detected in different algal species (12 microalgae, 21 green algae, 26 brown algae, and 43 red algae) to facilitate the comparison of the results of different studies. In addition to the presence, content, and identification of total and individual carotenoids in various algae, the method of their extraction and the main extraction parameters were also highlighted.

ALGAE CAROTENOID PIGMENTS AS NEW SOURCES OF HALAL BIOACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Halal Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) is a substance used in a finished pharmaceutical product, intended to furnish pharmacological activity or contribute direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease. It also provides a direct effect in restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions in human beings. Microalgae, which are single-celled microorganisms, are considered to be a rich source of diverse bioactive molecules. They play a vital role in the aquatic food chain as primary producers and can store complex organic compounds in their bodies, which can be released with the help of sunlight. Microalgae have evolved distinctive metabolic pathways, resulting in the production of remarkable secondary metabolites and unique structures that differ from those found in superior plants. Due to the high structural diversity of pigments, microalgae have the potential to produce pharmacologically valuable compounds, making them a promising source of bioactive molecules. This study aimed to examine the carotenoids pigmentation profiling from selected microalgae species subjected to different culture conditions. The methods involve are microalgae cell culture mass production, carotenoid sample extraction and HPLC analysis. The findings revealed that the composition and amount of carotenoids differ according to the microalgae species. Genetic factors appear to be a crucial factor in categorizing these species based on their individual carotenoids accumulation. In short, selecting the appropriate species with the ability to accumulate carotenoids is important in determining the sources of pigments for halal bioactive ingredients or for commercial purposes, particularly in the halal market.

Twisted Carotenoids Do Not Support Efficient Intramolecular Singlet Fission in the Orange Carotenoid Protein.

Singlet exciton fission is the spin-allowed generation of two triplet electronic excited states from a singlet state. Intramolecular singlet fission has been suggested to occur on individual carotenoid molecules within protein complexes provided that the conjugated backbone is twisted out of plane. However, this hypothesis has been forwarded only in protein complexes containing multiple carotenoids and bacteriochlorophylls in close contact. To test the hypothesis on twisted carotenoids in a "minimal" one-carotenoid system, we study the orange carotenoid protein (OCP). OCP exists in two forms: in its orange form (OCPo), the single bound carotenoid is twisted, whereas in its red form (OCPr), the carotenoid is planar. To enable room-temperature spectroscopy on canthaxanthin-binding OCPo and OCPr without laser-induced photoconversion, we trap them in a trehalose glass. Using transient absorption spectroscopy, we show that there is no evidence of long-lived triplet generation through intramolecular singlet fission despite the canthaxanthin twist in OCPo.

Utilization of olive mill wastewater for selective production of lipids and carotenoids by Rhodotorula glutinis.

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is a zero-cost substrate for numerous value-added compounds. Although several studies on the production of lipids and carotenoids by Rhodotorula glutinis in OMW exist, none of them has specifically focused on the conditions for a target lipid or carotenoid. This study presents cultivation conditions that selectively stimulate the cell biomass, individual carotenoids and lipids. It was found that supplemental carbon and nitrogen sources as well as illumination affected cell biomass the most. High temperature, low initial pH, illumination, lack of urea and presence of glycerol stimulated the lipid synthesis. The highest total lipid content obtained in undiluted OMW supplemented with urea was 11.08 ± 0.17% (w/w) whilst it was 41.40 ± 0.21% (w/w) when supplemented with glycerol. Moreover, the main fatty acid produced by R. glutinis in all media was oleic acid, whose fraction reached 63.94 ± 0.58%. Total carotenoid yield was significantly increased with low initial pH, high temperature, illumination, certain amounts of urea, glycerol and cultivation time. Up to 192.09 ± 0.16μg/g cell carotenoid yield was achieved. Torularhodin could be selectively produced at high pH, low temperature and with urea and glycerol supplementation. To selectively induce torulene synthesis, cultivation conditions should have low pH, high temperature and illumination. In addition, low pH, high temperature and urea supplementation served high production of β-carotene. Up to 85.40 ± 0.76, 80.67 ± 1.40 and 39.45 ± 0.69% of torulene, torularhodin and β-carotene, respectively, were obtained under selected conditions. KEY POINTS: • Cultivation conditions selectively induced target carotenoids and lipids • 41.40 ± 0.21% (w/w) lipid content and 192.09 ± 0.16μg/g cell carotenoid yield were achieved • Markedly high selectivity values for torularhodin and torulene were achieved.

Stability of Carotenoids in Sweet Corn: Part 1. Evaluation of Postharvest Handling and Domestic Cooking

Sweet corn is a rich source of dietary carotenoids. In this study, the effects of postharvest handling and cooking on carotenoids in sweet corn were investigated. The fresh bicolor sweet corn was harvested from the field, which was processed into samples that represented the two major retail types (farmers market and grocery store) and two common cooking methods (boiling and steaming). Both free and bound forms of carotenoids were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and LC–MS. Nine carotenoids were identified, with lutein and zeaxanthin being the predominant ones. The postharvest handling and cooking either did not change or reduced the free carotenoids but increased the total bound carotenoids. The total carotenoids in all processed samples were not altered or slightly decreased. The percentages of total bound carotenoids in total carotenoids increased in all processed and cooked samples. The changes of individual carotenoids depended on the processing/cooking methods and the chemical structures.

Comparison of skin carotenoid content scores and dietary intake between cognitively normal older adults and older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease: A matched‐pair analysis

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a systemic metabolic disease with a variable number and type of clinical symptoms mostly impacting the brain. Skin carotenoid content (SCC) is an objective measure of carotenoid‐containing fruit and vegetable intake that has been validated in diverse populations. Our previous findings suggest SCC scores are impacted by various metabolic disease states. Therefore, our objective was to analyze SCC scores and dietary intake across matched pairs including unimpaired adults and those with AD.MethodBaseline data from two dietary interventions (NCT03860792, NCT03841539) were analyzed. Pairs are exact matches for sex, race/ethnicity, and education and are matched within two years of age and 4 kg/m2 body mass index. Each pair (n = 12 pairs) includes one cognitively normal (MMSE &gt; 25), community dwelling older adult (‘CN’) and one community dwelling older adult with AD (‘AD’). Baseline self‐reported dietary intake data (3‐day food records) were collected, reviewed, and entered into the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR 2019) database by a Registered Dietitian. SCC scores were collected through pressure‐mediated reflection spectroscopy via VeggieMeter® (Longevity Link Corporation, Holladay, UT). Two‐sample independent t‐tests assuming unequal variances were used to compare differences in SCC scores and dietary intake. Significance was set at p = 0.05.ResultThere was a significant difference in SCC scores between matched pairs (SCC scores: CN 284.25, AD 207.67, p = 0.008). There was no difference between pairs for total daily energy (kcal/day; p = 0.60), fat (g/day; p = 0.91), carbohydrate (g/day; p = 0.85), or protein (g/day; p = 0.26) intake. Both groups had similar food group intake (p‐value range 0.09‐0.79), including all fruit and vegetable groups except CN had higher intake of non‐citrus fruit (p = 0.046). Total fruit (p = 0.09) and fruit plus vegetable (p = 0.24) were not different between pairs. Dietary intake by individual carotenoid was not significantly different (total vitamin A, p = 0.48; beta‐carotene, p = 0.49; alpha‐carotene, p = 0.57; beta‐cryptoxanthin, p = 0.60; lutein plus zeaxanthin, p = 0.07; lycopene, p = 0.37).ConclusionIndividuals with AD have lower carotenoid skin content compared to matched cognitively unimpaired individuals. These differences are not explained by differences in diet suggesting that AD may be associated with disease‐associated biochemical features that are metabolism‐related and not limited to the brain.

Effect of long-term drought and waterlogging stress on photosynthetic pigments in potato

In potato tubers of four cultivars, the impact of drought and waterlogging stress on total carotenoid content (TCC) and individual carotenoids profile variance and total carotenoids, chlorophylls (a, b, a + b) content in leaves during period 71 days of stress in two-year pot greenhouse experiments were investigated. The different response between potato cultivars was observed after exposure to drought stress (an increase of TCC was in Marabel and Laura cultivars) and after waterlogging stress (in Milva and Marabel cultivars). On average, of all cultivars, both drought and waterlogging stresses caused total carotenoid content to increase with a higher impact of drought stress. In potato tubers, eight carotenoids were identified with the most represented violaxanthin, luteoxanthin, antheroxanthin and lutein. Significant differences in individual carotenoid amounts between cultivars have been determined. On average, drought and waterlogging stresses of all cultivars significantly increased contents of violaxanthin, 9'-(Z)-neoxanthin and luteoxanthin, while antheraxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin levels decreased. In leaves, both abiotic stresses decreased chlorophyll contents (a, b, a + b) with a very destructive impact of drought stress. While carotenoids accumulated in tubers as a result of stress, the opposite trend was characteristic in leaves, where their content decreased depending on the duration of stress.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction using ethanol efficiently extracted carotenoids from peels of peach palm fruits (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) without altering qualitative carotenoid profile

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is an amazonian fruit in which its peel has been appointed as a carotenoid-rich byproduct with biological properties. For analytical purposes, carotenoids are frequently extracted by non-green (use of toxic organic solvents) and time-consuming methods, which can affect the quality (carotenoid profile) and safety of extracts for direct food applications. We investigated herein the effect of different extraction methods on the individual carotenoid profile of extracts of peach palm peels by HPLC-DAD. Carotenoid extractions were carried out by maceration in mortar with pestle (with acetone or ethanol), magnetic stirring, shaker and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using ethanol. UAE provided the highest carotenoid contents (67 mg/100 g), followed by maceration with acetone and ethanol (63 and 52 mg/100 g, respectively), while the lowest contents were observed for the magnetic stirring and shaker extractions (44 mg/100 g), being (all-E)-β-carotene and a Z-isomer of γ-carotene accounted 54–73% of the carotenoid composition. HPLC-DAD data showed the same carotenoid profile regardless the extraction method, yet the percentage of Z-isomers of β-carotene was higher for the shaking (18%), UAE (17%) and magnetic stirring (15%) than for both maceration methods (7 and 8%, with acetone and ethanol, respectively). Thus, the tested extraction methods affected the total carotenoid contents, whereas the chromatographic profile did not change. Furthermore, a carotenoid-rich extract was effectively obtained by using ethanol associated with ultrasound technique (less time-consuming) instead of toxic and non-safe solvents.

Effects of dietary fat type and emulsification on carotenoid absorption: a randomized crossover trial

BackgroundAlthough emerging evidence has suggested that the type and emulsification of dietary fat may be important to carotenoid absorption, these effects have not yet been validated in a human trial. ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the effects of dietary fat type and emulsification on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of carotenoids from a carotenoid-rich salad. MethodsAn identical salad was used for the in vitro and the human trial. This was paired with 28 g of one of the following 4 different fats: 1) nonemulsified olive oil, 2) emulsified olive oil, 3) nonemulsified coconut oil, and 4) emulsified coconut oil. The bioaccessibility of total carotenoids (TCs) was assessed by a simulated in vitro digestion model. Sixteen subjects consumed salad with 4 test fats in random order, and plasma triglyceride and carotenoid (lutein, zeaxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene) concentrations were determined hourly for 10 h following the consumption. The absorption of TC and individual carotenoids was evaluated by the positive incremental AUC (iAUC) of plasma carotenoid concentrations. ResultsThe bioaccessibility of TC was greater with olive oil (24.0%) than with coconut oil (14.9%), and with the oil being emulsified (23.5%) rather than that being nonemulsified (15.4%). Similarly, the positive iAUC1–10h of TC, α-carotene, and lycopene were 55.2%, 110.8%, and 45.8%, respectively, higher with olive oil than with coconut oil. Emulsified fat induced 40.0% greater positive iAUC1–10h of TC than nonemulsified fat. ConclusionsThe type and emulsification of dietary fat are both essential to carotenoid absorption. Findings from this study may provide scientific support for designing excipient emulsions as potential dietary strategies to optimize the absorption of fat-soluble compounds.This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04323826.