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Vitamin A and carotenoid precursor structures. Common dietary provitamin A carotenoids with unmodified -ionone rings (highlighted in orange/dark grey) are processed to form C 20 retinoids, including all-trans-retinol (vitamin A, highlighted in yellow/light grey), all-trans-retinal, retinoic acid and 11-cis-retinal, a photoreceptor chromophore.
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Carotenoid pigments provide fruits and flowers with distinctive red, orange and yellow colours as well as a number of aromas, which make them commercially important in agriculture, food, health and the cosmetic industries. Carotenoids comprise a large family of C 40 polyenes that are critical for the survival of plants and animals alike. β-carotene...
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... serum levels of vitamin A (less than 0.7 mol L À 1 ) can be used as a population-based indicator of health risks (Underwood, 2004). Recommended daily allowances for vitamin A range from 300-600 g for children to 900-1300 g for adults of retinol activity equivalents (retinol and provitamin A carotenoids; Fig. 1). There is no recommended daily allowance for provitamin A carotenoids, as the conversion efficiency remains imprecise; however, between 3 and 6 mg of -carotene daily is sufficient to maintain healthy serum carotenoid levels, as would five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day (Panel on Micronutrients, ...
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Vitamin A deficiency is the third most important micronutrient deficiency having a significant impact on public health worldwide. The aim of this study was to develop a carotenoid extraction process with edible vegetable oils, using a central composite design which, concurrently, enriches the oils with provitamin A carotenoids. The stability of car...
Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) is consistently one of the most highly consumed vegetables in the United States, providing a valuable opportunity to increase nutrient intake through biofortification. Significant variation for carotenoid (provitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin) and tocochromanol (vitamin E, antioxidants) levels is present in temperate sweet corn...
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Background:
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Citations
... It is synthesized from geranyl pyranophosphate and belongs to the carotenes, which are terpenoids consisting of eight isoprene units. β-carotene is known for its antioxidant properties, which contribute to its potential health benefits [186]. ...
Michael acceptors represent a class of compounds with potential anti-cancer properties. They act by binding to nucleophilic sites in biological molecules, thereby disrupting cancer cell function and inducing cell death. This mode of action, as well as their ability to be modified and targeted, makes them a promising avenue for advancing cancer therapy. We are investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying Michael acceptors and their interactions with cancer cells, in particular their ability to interfere with cellular processes and induce apoptosis. The anti-cancer properties of Michael acceptors are not accidental but are due to their chemical structure and reactivity. The electrophilic nature of these compounds allows them to selectively target nucleophilic residues on disease-associated proteins, resulting in significant therapeutic benefits and minimal toxicity in various diseases. This opens up new perspectives for the development of more effective and precise cancer drugs. Nevertheless, further studies are essential to fully understand the impact of our discoveries and translate them into clinical practice.
... Carotenoids are a complex class of C40 isoprenoid pigments synthesized by photosynthetic organisms, nonphotosynthetic bacteria, and fungi (Cuttriss et al., 2011). In the chloroplast, carotenoids participate in photosynthesis, contribute to photoprotection, and act as precursors for strigolactone and abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis. ...
Abstract Phytoene synthase (PSY) is a crucial enzyme required for carotenoid biosynthesis, encoded by a gene family conserved in carotenoid-producing organisms. This gene family is diversified in angiosperms through distinct duplication events. Understanding diversification patterns and the evolutionary history of the PSY gene family is important for explaining carotenogenesis in different plant tissues. This study identified 351 PSY genes in 166 species, including Viridiplantae, brown and red algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, arthropods, and bacteria. All PSY genes displayed conserved intron/exon organization. Fungi and arthropod PSY sequences were grouped with prokaryote PSY, suggesting the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer. Angiosperm PSY is split into five subgroups. One includes the putative ortholog of PSY3 (Subgroup E3) from eudicots, and the other four subgroups include PSY from both monocots and eudicots (subgroups E1, E2, M1, and M2). Expression profile analysis revealed that PSY genes are constitutively expressed across developmental stages and anatomical parts, except for the eudicot PSY3, with root-specific expression. This study elucidates the molecular evolution and diversification of the PSY gene family, furthering our understanding of variations in carotenogenesis.
... Some authors found lutein as the main carotenoid of peels, followed by β-carotene and low amounts of other carotenoids [46,76]. The high concentration of carotenoids in the peel is probably related to the high exposure to sunlight that induces an increase in carotengenesis [77]. Albeit in low quantity, kernel contained exclusively lutein and β-carotene. ...
This study aims to describe and compare the distribution of bioactive compounds, the fatty acids profiles, and the TEAC hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities in different fruit fractions (pulp, peel, and kernel) of two mango cultivars (Tommy Atkins and Keitt). All fractions are sources of health-promoting bioactive compounds. Regardless of cultivars, pulp had the highest content of phytosterols (~150 mg/100 g dw), peels ranked first for pentaciclic triterpenes (from 14.2 to 17.7 mg/100 g dw), tocopherols, carotenoids, and chlorophylls, and kernels for phenolic compounds (from 421.6 to 1464.8 mg/100 g dw), flavonoids, condensed tannins, as well as hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities. Differences between the two cultivars were evidenced for ascorbic acid, which showed the highest levels in the peels and kernels of Keitt and Tommy Atkins fruits, respectively. Similarly, the concentration of dehydroascorbic acid was higher in the pulp of Tommy Atkins than Keitt. The highest percentage of saturated fatty acids was observed in pulp (~42%) and kernels (~50%), monounsaturated fatty acids in kernels (up to 41%), and polyunsaturated fatty acids in peels (up to 52%). Our results add information to the current knowledge on nutraceuticals’ distribution in different fractions of mango fruit, supporting its consumption as a healthy fruit and suggesting the great potential value of peels and kernels as sources of novel ingredients. Indeed, mango by-products generated during agronomic-to-industrial processing not only causes a significant environmental impact, but economic losses too. In this scenario, boosting research on conventional recovery methods offers eco-friendly solutions. However, green, novel biorefinery technologies may offer eco-friendly and profitable solutions, allowing the recovery of several more profitable by-products, sustaining their continuous growth since many bioactive compounds can be recovered from mango by-products that are potentially useful in the design of innovative nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, and pharmaceutical formulations.
... The concentration of β-carotene in the "Kent" and "Tommy" variety was 46 and 37 µg·g −1 DW, respectively, similar to those obtained in the varieties utilized in this study. These variations could be due to both genotypic [29] and environmental factors [30]. ...
... This could be due to the active role of carotenoids in photosystem assembly where they act as a photoprotector. The higher exposure to sunlight induces an increase in carotenogenesis, leading to higher concentrations of carotenoids in the peels [30], making the peels a valuable resource for bioactive compound recovery. ...
The potential of supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) for the extraction of bioactive compounds from mango by-products was assessed. Carotenoid extraction was optimized using a design of experiments based on temperature (35, 55 and 70 °C), pressure (10 and 35 MPa) and co-solvent addition (0%, 10% and 20% of ethanol or acetone). Moreover, the co-extraction of phenolic acids, flavonoids and xanthonoids was evaluated in a subset of parameters. Finally, a comparison was made between SC-CO2 and a two-step organic solvent extraction of the bioactive compounds from the pulp and peel fractions of two Ecuadorian varieties. The optimal extraction temperature was found to be dependent on the bioactive type, with phenolics requiring higher temperature than carotenoids. The optimal overall conditions, focused on maximal carotenoids recovery, were found to be 55 °C, 35 MPa and 20% of ethanol. The main carotenoid was β-carotene, while phenolics differed among the varieties. The bioactive content of the peel was up to 4.1-fold higher than in the pulp fraction. Higher antioxidant activity was found in the extracts obtained with organic solvents. SC-CO2 is a promising technology for the isolation of valuable compounds from mango by-products.
... Candidate gene approaches have permitted the identification and mapping of the main genes producing the high lutein content in tritordeum (Atienza et al. 2007a;). These advances have been possible due to the carotenoid pathway being well known (Cuttriss et al. 2011;Hirschberg 2001). However, the candidate gene approach is not viable when the pathways underlying the traits of interest are not fully understood. ...
The high carotenoid content and distinctive carotenoid profile of tritordeum are conferred by its wild progenitor, Hordeum chilense. Genetic studies on this wild barley could exploit the knowledge gained in Hordeum vulgare L. if the synteny between H. vulgare and H. chilense is established. DArTSeq markers were aligned to barley genome and used to inspect H. chilense-barley synteny. All chromosome pairs showed a good degree of collinearity with the exception of 7Hv-7Hch, where a reciprocal translocation in 7Hch was identified. Carotenoid analyses revealed a high diversity for total carotenoids, free and esterified lutein in a collection of H. chilense. Population structure analyses revealed the existence of two subgroups contrasting for total carotenoids, free lutein and esterified lutein in seeds. Lutein esters were produced with palmitic and linoleic acids as happens in tritordeum. However, tritordeum prefer palmitic acid for the synthesis of lutein esters but this preference is not maintained in H. chilense. This indicates the existence of diversity in the enzymes involved in the esterification which could be useful in tritordeum breeding. Furthermore, several accessions produced lutein monoesters but they lacked diesters which suggests that esterification is controlled by more than one enzyme in H. chilense. A total of 91 marker-trait associations were identified for carotenoid content and profile. These associations constitute a good starting point for future genetic analyses for the identification of candidate genes from H. vulgare genome.
... Carotenoids are fat-soluble red, orange, and yellow pigments synthesized by plants that play a critical role in photosynthesis, serving as photoprotectants, antioxidants, and accessory pigments for light harvesting (reviewed in Cuttriss, Cazzonelli, Wurtzel, & Pogson, 2011). When ingested in food by humans, plant-based provitamin A carotenoids, such as α-carotene (one retinyl group), β-carotene (two retinyl groups), and β-cryptoxanthin (one retinyl group), can be converted to retinol, or vitamin A (Combs, 2012). ...
... The carotenoid biosynthetic pathway has been characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana and is highly conserved in plants (reviewed in Cuttriss et al., 2011;DellaPenna & Pogson, 2006). Carotenoid synthesis relies on the methylerythritol phosphate pathway to generate two isoprene isomers, F I G U R E 1 Carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in maize. ...
Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) is highly consumed in the United States, but does not make major contributions to the daily intake of carotenoids (provitamin A carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin) that would help in the prevention of health complications. A genome‐wide association study of seven kernel carotenoids and twelve derivative traits was conducted in a sweet corn inbred line association panel ranging from light to dark yellow in endosperm color to elucidate the genetic basis of carotenoid levels in fresh kernels. In agreement with earlier studies of maize kernels at maturity, we detected an association of β‐carotene hydroxylase (crtRB1) with β‐carotene concentration and lycopene epsilon cyclase (lcyE) with the ratio of flux between the α‐ and β‐carotene branches in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Additionally, we found that 5% or less of the evaluated inbred lines possessing the shrunken2 (sh2) endosperm mutation had the most favorable lycE allele or crtRB1 haplotype for elevating β‐branch carotenoids (β‐carotene and zeaxanthin) or β‐carotene, respectively. Genomic prediction models with genome‐wide markers obtained moderately high predictive abilities for the carotenoid traits, especially lutein, and outperformed models with less markers that targeted candidate genes implicated in the synthesis, retention, and/or genetic control of kernel carotenoids. Taken together, our results constitute an important step toward increasing carotenoids in fresh sweet corn kernels.
... Squalene is a triterpene precursor for the biosynthesis of bacterial hopanoids (Belin et al., 2018), which are pentacyclic lipids involved in bacterial membrane fluidity and permeability (Rohmer et al., 1979), with growing evidence suggesting roles in plant-bacteria rhizosphere interactions (Belin et al., 2018). Lycopene is a precursor for carotenoids, a large family of photoreceptive C 40 polyene pigments produced by photosynthetic bacteria, algae, plants and fungi (Cuttriss et al., 2011) which aid in photosynthesis and protection from photooxidation. Gene clusters containing a squalene synthase (producing squalene by condensation of two farnesyl pyrophosphate molecules with reduction by NADPH) and phytoene desaturase (producing all-trans lycopene via five-step desaturation of phytoene) were identified in the PHY-1 and PHY-2 genomes respectively. ...
Microbial communities inhabit algae cell surfaces and produce a variety of compounds that can impact the fitness of the host. These interactions have been studied via culturing, single‐gene diversity, and metagenomic read survey methods that are limited by culturing biases and fragmented genetic characterizations. Higher‐resolution frameworks are needed to resolve the physiological interactions within these algal‐bacterial communities. Here, we infer the encoded metabolic capabilities of four uncultured bacterial genomes (reconstructed using metagenomic assembly and binning) associated with the marine dinoflagellates Gambierdiscus carolinianus and G. caribaeus. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that two of the genomes belong to the commonly algae‐associated families Rhodobacteraceae and Flavobacteriaceae. The other two genomes belong to the Phycisphaeraceae and include the first algae‐associated representative within the uncultured SM1A02 group. Analyses of all four genomes suggest these bacteria are facultative aerobes, with some capable of metabolizing phytoplanktonic organosulfur compounds including dimethylsulfoniopropionate and sulfated polysaccharides. These communities may biosynthesize compounds beneficial to both the algal host and other bacteria, including iron chelators, B vitamins, methionine, lycopene, squalene, and polyketides. These findings have implications for marine carbon and nutrient cycling and provide a greater depth of understanding regarding the genetic potential for complex physiological interactions between microalgae and their associated bacteria. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
... The carotenoid biosynthetic pathway is well characterized in plants (Yoshikazu and Akemi, 2008;Cuttriss et al. 2011;Nisar et al. 2015;Giuliano 2017;Adebanjo 2018). All plant carotenoids are synthesized in the plastid from geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) produced by the plastid-localized methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway (Bouvier et al. 2005;Moise et al. 2014;Nisar et al. 2015). ...
Carotenoids, which serve as precursors of vitamin A and antioxidants, play important roles in human health. Breeding to increase carotenoid levels in cereal grains is an economically feasible way to address nutritional deficiency. Here, we performed quantitative trait–locus (QTL) mapping of 5 primary and 12 derived carotenoid-related traits in maize kernels in two segregating populations: Dan340 × K22 (KD) and K22 × CI7 (KC) F2:3/F2:4. In total, 185 putative QTLs in 32 genomic regions were identified for 17 carotenoid-related traits. For each trait, the number of QTLs per population ranged from 2 to 10, with a maximum of 4 QTLs explaining over 15% of the phenotypic variation. These findings suggest that a simple genetic basis underlies the variations in carotenoid-related traits in biparental populations. Moreover, additive effects mainly contribute to the genetic basis of these variations. We constructed a trait–locus network based on locus–locus linkage and locus–trait association information to explain the genetic basis of correlations among carotenoids and identified eight major common loci that control at least five traits. Overall, these findings enrich our understanding of the genetic basis of carotenoid accumulation in maize kernels, laying the foundation for improving multiple carotenoid traits by pyramiding desirable QTLs.
... Candidate gene approaches have permitted the identification and mapping of the main genes producing the high lutein content in tritordeum (Atienza et al. 2007a;). These advances have been possible due to the carotenoid pathway being well known (Cuttriss et al. 2011;Hirschberg 2001). However, the candidate gene approach is not viable when the pathways underlying the traits of interest are not fully understood. ...
The high carotenoid content and distinctive carotenoid profile of tritordeum are conferred by its wild progenitor, Hordeum chilense. Genetic studies on this wild barley could exploit the knowledge gained in Hordeum vulgare L. if the synteny between H. vulgare and H. chilense is established. DArTSeq markers were aligned to barley genome and used to inspect H. chilense-barley synteny. All chromosome pairs showed a good degree of collinearity with the exception of 7Hv–7Hch, where a reciprocal translocation in 7Hch was identified. Carotenoid analyses revealed a high diversity for total carotenoids, free and esterified lutein in a collection of H. chilense. Population structure analyses revealed the existence of two subgroups contrasting for total carotenoids, free lutein and esterified lutein in seeds. Lutein esters were produced with palmitic and linoleic acids as happens in tritordeum. However, tritordeum prefer palmitic acid for the synthesis of lutein esters but this preference is not maintained in H. chilense. This indicates the existence of diversity in the enzymes involved in the esterification which could be useful in tritordeum breeding. Furthermore, several accessions produced lutein monoesters but they lacked diesters which suggests that esterification is controlled by more than one enzyme in H. chilense. A total of 91 marker-trait associations were identified for carotenoid content and profile. These associations constitute a good starting point for future genetic analyses for the identification of candidate genes from H. vulgare genome.
... Carotenoids are yellow, orange, or red lipophilic isoprenoid pigments synthesized by all photosynthetic organisms and some bacteria and fungi but not by mammals (Botella-Pavia and Rodriguez-Concepcion 2006; Cuttriss et al. 2011;Flores-Perez and Rodriguez-Concepcion 2012;Kopsell and Kopsell 2006;Maiani et al. 2009). There are widely present in yelloworange fruits and vegetables, and in dark-green leafy vegetables (Maiani et al. 2009). ...
... Lycopene prevents cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer (Botella-Pavia and Rodriguez Concepcion 2006; Kopsell and Kopsell 2006). In plants, carotenoids are light-harvesting pigments in chloroplasts and are important in the protection of plants against photooxidative damage (Botella-Pavia and Rodriguez-Concepcion 2006; Cuttriss et al. 2011;Lefsrud et al. 2007). Generally, carotenoids protect plants from photo-oxidative damage through thermal dissipation by means of the xanthophyll cycle (converting violaxanthin (VIO) to zeaxanthin) (Stange and Flores 2012). ...
Light is one of the key factors in plant production. Phytochemical composition and content as well as nutritional and postharvest quality depend on light quality and quantity in many plant species, especially in leafy vegetables, many of which are grown in controlled environments where artificial or supplemental illumination is needed. With the development of light-emitting diode (LED) technology, the manipulation of light conditions in order to improve nutritional value in plants has become more viable. The most important findings of recent decades concerning LED illumination, which involve changes in the nutritional quality of vegetables with respect to the content of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenols, tocopherols and other related phytoconstituents subjected to light quality and quantity, are discussed in this chapter.
