Potential of cassava clones enriched with β-carotene and lycopene for zinc biofortification under different soil Zn conditions

BACKGROUND

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a major human health concern worldwide, and biofortification (genetic and agronomic) is a complementary solution for increasing micronutrient contents, including Zn. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has been used for Zn biofortification because it is an important staple crop in most countries affected by malnutrition and Zn deficiency. Thus studies on biofortification of this crop can improve its nutritional quality. Zn content in cassava clones enriched with β-carotene or lycopene and cultivated under different areas and soil managements was investigated to evaluate the influence of genotypic variation and agronomic management on Zn status in the plant.

RESULTS

A clone-specific response to total Zn content in the soil was found, with clones 26, 215, and 240 (β-carotene enriched) and clones 341 and 395 (lycopene enriched) being the most responsive. For both experiments, there was a positive interaction between total soil Zn and Zn content in the roots.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that, by combining plant breeding and agronomic strategies, it is possible to enrich cassava roots with both zinc and β-carotene or lycopene. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chloroplast-rich material from the physical fractionation of pea vine (Pisum sativum) postharvest field residue (Haulm)

An innovative procedure for plant chloroplasts isolation has been proposed, which consists of juice extraction by physical fractionation from plant material and recovery of its chloroplast-rich fraction (CRF) by centrifugation. This simple method has been applied to pea vine haulm subjected to different post-harvest treatments: blanching, storage at different relative humidity values and fermentation. Additionally, freeze storage of the extracted juice was carried out. The macronutrient (total lipids, proteins, ash and carbohydrates) and micronutrient (fatty acids, chlorophylls, β-carotene, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid) content and composition of the CRF have been determined. The CRF isolated from fresh pea vine haulm is a potential source of essential micronutrients (α-linolenic acid, β-carotene, α-tocopherol) and carbohydrates, whereas the post-harvest treatments trialled have a detrimental effect on the nutritional content. Industrial applications for the recovered nutritionally rich fraction, such as food supplement ingredient or animal feeding, are likely envisaged, while optimising the use of green haulm.

Ultrasonic pretreatment of carrot slices: Effects of sonication source on drying kinetics and product quality

In this study effects of ultrasonic pretreatment with different sonication sources on drying behavior of carrot slices were evaluated. Fresh carrot slices were pretreated with ultrasonic probe at 65, 75 and 85 W or ultrasonic bath at 10, 20 and 30°C for 3, 5 and 10 min before air drying. Water gain % and solid loss % of pretreated samples were calculated and color values, β-carotene content and rehydration ratios of dried samples were determined. Drying behavior of the pretreated samples was evaluated and the drying data were fitted to thin layer drying models. Constant drying rate period was not observed for the carrot slices; however two definite falling-rate periods having different slopes were obtained. Drying time was significantly reduced (up to 20%) depending on the type of pretreatment. The redness value, total color difference and Chroma values of pretreated and control samples were in the same group (p>0.05). β-carotene content of ultrasonic bath pretreated samples were significantly higher than the samples pretreated with ultrasonic probe and the sample dried without any pretreatment as well (p<0.05). Also rehydration ratios of control samples were found lower than the ultrasound pretreated samples.

Salinity stress accelerates nutrients, dietary fiber, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in Amaranthus tricolor leaves

Impact of salinity stress were investigated in three selected Amaranthus tricolor accessions in terms of nutrients, dietary fiber, minerals, antioxidant phytochemicals and total antioxidant activity in leaves. Salinity stress enhanced biochemical contents and antioxidant activity in A. tricolor leaves. Protein, ash, energy, dietary fiber, minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Na), β-carotene, ascorbic acid, total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (DPPH and ABTS+) in leaves were increased by 18%, 6%, 5%, 16%, 9%, 16%, 11%, 17%, 38%, 20%, 64%, 31%, 22%, 16%, 16%, 25% and 17%, respectively at 50 mM NaCl concentration and 31%, 12%, 6%, 30%, 57%, 35%, 95%, 96%, 82%, 87%, 27%, 63%, 82%, 39%, 30%, 58% and 47%, respectively at 100 mM NaCl concentration compared to control condition. Contents of vitamins, polyphenols and flavonoids showed a good antioxidant activity due to positive and significant interrelationships with total antioxidant capacity. It revealed that A. tricolor can tolerate a certain level of salinity stress without compromising the nutritional quality of the final product. This report for the first time demonstrated that salinity stress at certain level remarkably enhances nutritional quality of the leafy vegetable A. tricolor. Taken together, our results suggest that A. tricolor could be a promising alternative crop for farmers in salinity prone areas- in the tropical and sub-tropical regions with enriched nutritional contents and antioxidant activity.

Effect of environmental variables on phytonutrients of Origanum vulgare L. in the sub-humid region of the northwestern Himalayas

Ecological and soil physiochemical parameters impact the crop quality and development. In spite of the huge commercial prospective, the phytonutrient and chemometric profiles of Himalayan oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) have not been evaluated, and their relationships with ecological parameters are still lacking. The objective of this research study was to evaluate the disparity in the phytonutrient profiles of different ecotypes of O. vulgare in wild and cultivated populations and determine whether such variation was related to the diverse climatic and edaphic conditions prevailing in the northwestern Himalayas. Micrometeorological, atomic absorption spectroscopy for micro-elemental analysis was determined for soil. HPLC was used to determine the disparity in phytonutrient (quercetin, betacarotene, ascorbic acid, and catechin) and phytochemical (arbutin) levels. Cultivated populations had lower phytonutrient levels than wild populations. The habitat exhibiting pH values ranging from 6 to 7 elevated organic carbon (2.42%), nitrogen (97.41 kg ha^-1), and manganese (10-12 μg g^-1) and zinc contents (0.39-0.50%) show luxirant growth of Origanum vulgarel. The phytonutrient (quercetin, betacarotene, ascorbic acid, arbutin, and catechin) levels had a direct relationship with UV-B flux (r² = 0.82) and potassium (r² = 0.97). Wild accessions predominantly contained catechin and ascorbic acid, with maximum values of 163.8 and 46.88 μg g^-1, respectively, while the cultivated accessions had the highest level of arbutin (53.42 μg g^-1). Maximum variation was observed in quercetin (114.61%) followed by β-carotene (87.53%). Cultivated accessions had less quercetin (0.04-1.25 μg g^-1) than wild accessions (1.25-2.87 μg g^-1). Wild accessions had higher phytonutrient values for catechin, β-carotene, and ascorbic acid while cultivated accessions had maximum values for arbutin. The correlation of environmental variables with phytonutrient levels paves the way for metabolomic-guided enhancement of agricultural practices for better herb quality.

Combination of analytical and experimental optical clearing of rodent specimen for detecting beta-carotene: phantom study

Recently, compression optical clearing (OC) was applied to detect dermal carotenoid using reflection spectroscopy. To enhance the precision and accuracy of reflection spectroscopy to better detect the spectral absorption of beta-carotene inside biological phantom, here, we simultaneously use compression and immersion OC using dimethyl sulfoxide. In addition, we analytically extract the absorption coefficient of beta-carotene using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (as an analytical OC). Our results show that the presented analytical OC can be applied alone as a noninvasive method to measure cutaneous chromophores at deep tissues. Finally, we also improve the ability of the analytical clearing method mediated with experimental OC. Our result demonstrates that the combination of analytical and experimental clearing methods enhance the ability of diffuse reflection spectroscopy for extracting the absorption coefficient of beta-carotene as one of the chromospheres inside biological phantom.

Occurrence of variable levels of health-promoting fruit compounds in horn-shaped Italian sweet pepper varieties assessed by a comprehensive approach

BACKGROUND

Cultivated pepper is a rich source of diverse bioactive compounds with potential properties related to the prevention of major degenerative and proliferative diseases. In the present study, 15 sweet pepper varieties, highly appreciated on the Italian market, were assessed for variation in the content of ascorbic acid, isoprenoids and flavonoids, as well as morpho-agronomic performances and molecular diversity.

RESULTS

The collection under study showed a wide variability for all traits considered. Traditional cultivars, although less productive, were characterized by a high content of β-carotene and ascorbic acid, reaching maximum concentrations of 230.5 mg kg^-1 fresh weight (fw) and 2750 mg kg^-1 fw, respectively. Strong correlations were demonstrated between neoxanthin and luteolins. Fruit weight was positively correlated with α-tocopherol content and negatively correlated with luteolins content. The genotyping by sequencing platform allowed the identification of 1833 single nucleotide polymorphism, which better defined the relationships among cultivars, based on provenance and improvement rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides an overview of the variability in the expression of fruit nutritional traits in a collection of horn-shaped pepper cultivars, integrating agronomic and molecular data. The impact for breeding and consumers is discussed. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of drying methods (microwave vacuum, freeze, hot air and sun drying) on physical, chemical and nutritional attributes of five pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum) cultivars

BACKGROUND

A randomized block design experiment was performed to investigate the influence of drying on the physical, chemical and nutritional quality attributes of five prominent cultivars of India under sun drying (SD) (mean temperature 35.5 °C, average daily radiation 5.26 kW h m^-2 and mean relative humidity 73.66% RH), hot air drying (HD) at 65 °C, microwave vacuum drying (MVD) (800 W, 5 kPa) and freeze drying (FD) (-50 °C, 5 kPa). Water activity, pH, total phenolic content (TPC), ascorbic acid (AA), capsaicin, β-carotene, color and Scoville heat unit were studied.

RESULTS

TPC, AA, capsaicin content, β-carotene, color and water activity were significantly affected by the drying method. FD was observed to be most efficient in minimizing the loss of color, capsaicin and β-carotene. The hotness of analyzed samples decreased in the order 'Bird's Eye' > 'Sannam S4' > 'CO-4' > 'PLR-1' > 'PKM-1' among the studied cultivars, and FD > MVD > HD > SD among the drying methods.

CONCLUSION

The FD method was observed to be the most efficient drying method for retaining capsaicin content over other drying methods (SD, HD, MVD), whereas MVD was found to be most efficient in minimizing the loss to nutritional attributes for all five pepper cultivars. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Screening and Assessment of Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers of Milk from Cow and Water Buffalo: An Alternative Approach for the Rapid Identification of Adulterated Water Buffalo Mozzarellas

Adulteration of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana with cow milk is a common fraud because of the high price and limited seasonal availability of water buffalo milk. To identify such adulteration, this work proposes a novel approach based on the use of species-specific, low-molecular-weight biomarkers (LMWBs). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry screening analyses identified β-carotene, lutein, and β-cryptoxanthin as LMWBs of cow milk, while ergocalciferol was found only in water buffalo milk. Adulterated mozzarellas were prepared in the laboratory and analyzed for the four biomarkers. Combined quantification of β-carotene and ergocalciferol enabled the detection of cow milk with a sensitivity threshold of 5% (w/w). The method was further tested by analyzing a certificated water buffalo mozzarella and several commercial products. This approach is alternative to conventional proteomic and genomic methods and is advantageous for routine operations as a result of its simplicity, speed, and low cost.

Low frequency ultrasound pretreatment of carrot slices: Effect on the moisture migration and quality attributes by intermediate-wave infrared radiation drying

The effect of low frequency ultrasound (LFU) pretreatment prior to intermediate-wave infrared radiation (IW-IR) drying on water migration and quality attributes of carrot slices was investigated in this study. Results showed that the vacuole water of LFU pretreated carrot samples decreased, while the cytoplasm and intercellular space water increased by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. In addition, LFU pretreatment caused the disruption of cell structures and formation of micro-channels, resulting in significant (p<0.05) decrease of drying time required. The IW-IR dried carrot slices with LFU pretreatment showed higher β-carotene content and rehydration ratio in comparison with control samples. The color parameters of ultrasound pretreated dried carrot slices after dehydration were closer to the raw carrot samples. The results of electronic nose showed that the aromatic and volatile organic compounds of dried carrot increased by sonicated pretreatment, while the nitrogen oxides decreased, indicating that LFU can improve the flavor of dried carrot slices.

Raman spectroscopy imaging reveals interplay between atherosclerosis and medial calcification in the human aorta

Medial calcification in the human aorta accumulates during aging and is known to be aggravated in several diseases. Atherosclerosis, another major cause of cardiovascular calcification, shares some common aggravators. However, the mechanisms of cardiovascular calcification remain poorly understood. To elucidate the relationship between medial aortic calcification and atherosclerosis, we characterized the cross-sectional distributions of the predominant minerals in aortic tissue, apatite and whitlockite, and the associated extracellular matrix. We also compared the cellular changes between atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic human aortic tissues. This was achieved through the development of Raman spectroscopy imaging methods that adapted algorithms to distinguish between the major biomolecules present within these tissues. We present a relationship between apatite, cholesterol, and triglyceride in atherosclerosis, with the relative amount of all molecules concurrently increased in the atherosclerotic plaque. Further, the increase in apatite was disproportionately large in relation to whitlockite in the aortic media directly underlying a plaque, indicating that apatite is more pathologically significant in atherosclerosis-aggravated medial calcification. We also discovered a reduction of β-carotene in the whole aortic intima, including a plaque in atherosclerotic aortic tissues compared to nonatherosclerotic tissues. This unprecedented biomolecular characterization of the aortic tissue furthers our understanding of pathological and physiological cardiovascular calcification events in humans.

Antioxidant activity and bioactive compound contents before and after in vitro digestion of new tomato hybrids

BACKGROUND

The antioxidant properties and bioactive compound contents of fresh new tomato hybrids before and after in vitro digestion were investigated. To this aim, the antioxidant activities of lipophilic, hydrophilic and polyphenolic extracts of tomato hybrids were determined by ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), DMPD (N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) methods respectively, while the bioactive compound contents were estimated via Folin-Ciocalteu (polyphenols), pH differential (anthocyanins) and high-performance liquid chromatography (lycopene and β-carotene) methods.

RESULTS

After the digestion process, a marked loss (ranging from 37 to 77%) of antioxidant capacity linked to the hydrophilic fraction was observed. In contrast, the lipophilic and methanolic fractions showed an increase in antioxidant activity (ranging from 9 to 40%) after gastric digestion, and a rapid decrease was observed after total digestion. Moreover, the presence of anthocyanins and carotenoids after simulated digestion was a notable result.

CONCLUSION

The bioavailability of bioactive metabolites from nutraceutical food and their healthful properties in humans are strictly dependent on the digestion process. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antioxidants: Wonder drugs or quackery?

An answer to the question posed by the title must be simple not to disturb in his tomb Albert Einstein, who wrote "Man muß die Dinge so einfach wie möglich machen. Aber nicht einfacher". A simple answer (not simpler) can be: Antioxidants are not antioxidants, they are not wonder drugs and they are not all quackery; but they are not nothing. The arguments in support of this conundrumic statement will be developed below. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(6):785-788, 2017.

Identification and biological activities of carotenoids from the freshwater alga Oedogonium intermedium

The chemical and biological properties of carotenoids in the freshwater alga Oedogonium intermedium were investigated in this study. Carotenoids were extracted from the alga by dichloromethane and purified by saponification. The carotenoid content was determined both spectrometrically and by HPLC, the carotenoids identified by HPLC-PDA-APCI-IT-TOF-MS and the extracts analysed for several health-related bioactivities. The crude and saponified extracts contained 3,411.2±20.7 and 2,929.6±5.9µg carotenoids/g dry algal biomass, respectively. Seven major carotenoids were identified, namely neoxanthin, 9'-cis-neoxanthin, loroxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, α-carotene and β-carotene, which were present in similar amounts in the alga. Both the crude and saponified carotenoid extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activities as well as potent inhibitory effects against several metabolically important enzymes including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase and hyaluronidase, but they were poor inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Oedogonium could be an important new source of carotenoids, specifically loroxanthin, which is lacking in terrestrial plants.

Sensory, Physico-Chemical and Water Sorption Properties of Corn Extrudates Enriched with Spirulina

This study compares the quality of extrudates made from corn grits with the addition of up to 8% of spirulina powder. The sensory properties (shape, color, aroma, taste and crispness), chemicals (content of water, protein, fat, ash, fiber, carbohydrates, carotenoids, chlorophyll and phycocyanin) and physical properties (color, water absorption index, expansion indices, texture and water sorption properties) were determined. It has been found that spirulina-enriched extrudates had slightly lower sensory scores, but the addition of spirulina improved their nutritional value. The contents of protein, ash, fiber and β-carotene increased in extrudates with 8% of spirulina by 34, 36, 140 and 1,260%, respectively. The increasing addition of spirulina caused a decrease in extrudates lightness, an increase in their greenness and yellowness accompanied by a decrease of expansion indices and an increase of softness. Only small differences were found in water sorption properties, suggesting a similar behavior of spirulina-enriched extrudates during storage.

Effect of green juice and their bioactive compounds on genotoxicity induced by alkylating agents in mice

Kale juice (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D.C.) is a reliable source of dietary carotenoids and typically contains the highest concentrations of lutein (LT) and beta-carotene (BC) among green leafy vegetables. As a result of their antioxidant properties, dietary carotenoids are postulated to decrease the risk of disease occurrence, particularly certain cancers. The present study aimed to (1) examine the genotoxic and antigenotoxic activity of natural and commercially available juices derived from Brassica oleracea and (2) assess influence of LT or BC against DNA damage induced by alkylating agents such as methyl methanesulfonate (MS) or cyclophosphamide (CP) in vivo in mice. Male Swiss mice were divided into groups of 6 animals, which were treated with water, natural, or commercial Brassica oleraceae juices (kale), LT, BC, MMS, or CP. After treatment, DNA damage was determined in peripheral blood lymphocytes using the comet assay. Results demonstrated that none of the Brassica oleraceae juices or carotenoids produced genotoxic effects. In all examined cell types, kale juices or carotenoids inhibited DNA damage induced by MMS or CP administered either pre- or posttreatment by 50 and 20%, respectively. Under our experimental conditions, kale leaf juices alone exerted no marked genotoxic or clastogenic effects. However, a significant decrease in DNA damage induced by MMS or CP was noted. This effect was most pronounced in groups that received juices, rather than carotenoids, suggesting that the synergy among constituents present in the food matrix may be more beneficial than the action of single compounds. Data suggest that the antigenotoxic properties of kale juices may be of therapeutic importance.

Role of Zucchini and Its Distinctive Components in the Modulation of Degenerative Processes: Genotoxicity, Anti-Genotoxicity, Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Effects

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo) is a seasonal vegetable with high nutritional and medical values. Many useful properties of this fruit are attributed to bioactive compounds. Zucchini fruits ("Yellow" and "Light Green" varieties) and four distinctive components (lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroascorbic acid) were selected. Firstly, the lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroascorbic acid contents were determined in these fruits. Then, in order to evaluate the safety and suitability of their use, different assays were carried out: (i) genotoxicity and anti-genotoxicity tests to determine the safety and DNA-protection against hydrogen peroxide; (ii) cytotoxicity; and (iii) DNA fragmentation and Annexin V/PI (Propidium Iodide) assays to evaluate the pro-apoptotic effect. Results showed that: (i) all the substances were non-genotoxic; (ii) all the substances were anti-genotoxic except the highest concentration of lutein; (iii) "Yellow" zucchini epicarp and mesocarp exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity (IC50 > 0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively); and (iv) "Light Green" zucchini skin induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, β-carotene being the possible molecule responsible for its pro-apoptotic activity. To sum up, zucchini fruit could play a positive role in human health and nutrition due to this fruit and its components were safe, able to inhibit significantly the H₂O₂-induced damage and exhibit anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities toward HL60 (human promyelocytic leukemia cells) tumor cells. The information generated from this research should be considered when selecting potential accessions for breeding program purposes.

Influence of Cooking Conditions on Carotenoid Content and Stability in Porridges Prepared from High-Carotenoid Maize

Maize is a staple food crop in many developing countries, hence becoming an attractive target for biofortification programs toward populations at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. A South African white endosperm maize inbred line was engineered with a carotenogenic mini-pathway to generate high-carotenoid maize, which accumulates β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. As maize porridge is a traditional meal for poor populations in sub-Saharan African countries, high-carotenoid maize was used as raw material to prepare different maize meals. The objective of this work was to assess the impact of popular home-cooking techniques and different cooking parameters (temperature, time and pH) on the final carotenoid content in the cooked product, using a spectrophotometric technique based on the mean absorption of carotenoids at 450 nm. Carotenoid levels were not only preserved, but also enhanced in high-carotenoid maize porridges. The carotenoid content was increased when temperatures ≤95 °C were combined with short cooking times (10-60 min). The most optimum thermal treatment was 75 °C/10 min. When treated under those conditions at pH 5, high-carotenoid maize porridges doubled the initial carotenoid content up to 88 μg/g dry weight. Regarding to cooking techniques, the highest carotenoid content was found when unfermented thin porridges were prepared (51 μg/g dry weight of high-carotenoid maize porridge). We conclude that high-carotenoid maize may contribute to enhance the dietary status of rural populations who depend on maize as a staple food.

Identification of cow and buffalo milk based on Beta carotene and vitamin-A concentration using fluorescence spectroscopy

The current study presents the application of fluorescence spectroscopy for the identification of cow and buffalo milk based on β-carotene and vitamin-A which is of prime importance from the nutritional point of view. All samples were collected from healthy animals of different breeds at the time of lactation in the vicinity of Islamabad, Pakistan. Cow and buffalo milk shows differences at fluorescence emission appeared at band position 382 nm, 440 nm, 505 nm and 525 nm both in classical geometry (right angle) setup as well as front face fluorescence setup. In front face fluorescence geometry, synchronous fluorescence emission shows clear differences at 410 nm and 440 nm between the milk samples of both these species. These fluorescence emissions correspond to fats, vitamin-A and β-carotene. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) further highlighted these differences by showing clear separation between the two data sets on the basis of features obtained from their fluorescence emission spectra. These results indicate that classical geometry (fixed excitation wavelength) as well as front face (synchronous fluorescence emission) of cow and buffalo milk nutrients could be used as fingerprint from identification point of view. This same approach can effectively be used for the determination of adulterants in the milk and other dairy products.

Determination of Lutein and β-Carotene in Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Single-Laboratory Validation, First Action 2016.13

An ultra-HPLC method for the determination of lutein and β-carotene in infant formula and adult nutritionals was validated using both unfortified and fortified samples provided by the AOAC Stakeholder Panel on Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals (SPIFAN). All experiments showed separation of all-trans-lutein and β-carotene from their major cis isomers, apocarotenal, α-carotene, lycopene, and zeaxanthin. Samples spiked with all-trans-lutein and β-carotene showed no isomerization during sample preparation. Linearity of the calibration solutions correlated to approximately 0.8-45 μg/100 g (reconstituted basis) for samples prepared for the lowest sample concentrations. With dilutions specified in the method, the range can be extended to approximately 2250 μg/100 g. The LOD for both lutein and β-carotene was 0.08 μg/100 g, and the LOQ for both was 0.27 μg/100 g. For all measurements in the range of 1-100 μg/100 g, repeatability RSD was ≤5.8% for lutein and ≤5.1% for β-carotene. For measurements >100 μg/100 g, repeatability RSD was ≤1.1% for lutein and ≤1.7% for β-carotene. Accuracy was determined by recovery from spiked samples and ranged from 92.3 to 105.5% for lutein and from 100.1 to 107.5% for β-carotene. The data provided show that the method meets the criteria specified in the Standard Method Performance Requirements for carotenoids (SMPR 2014.014).

Banana Passion Fruit (Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L.H. Bailey): Microencapsulation, Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacity

Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L.H. Bailey is an exotic fruit native to South America, known as taxo in Ecuador. This paper characterizes its flavonoid and carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity and evaluates the effect of the spray-drying process on its phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity. A total of 18 flavonoid compounds, nine proanthocyanidins and nine flavan-3-ol monomers, were identified and quantified. Glycosides of (epi)-afzelechin stood out as the most abundant flavonoid. Three carotenoids were identified, with β-carotene having the highest concentration. The DPPH^· and ORAC assay methods indicated a high antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the bioactive content showed a positive and direct correlation with antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, the spray-drying process produced a stable phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of taxo. These results demonstrate the potential applicability of microencapsulated taxo as a functional ingredient in the food industry.

[Study on Non-Detective Determination of β-Carotene Content in Loquats with Raman Spectroscopy]

In china, researches on Raman spectroscopy in terms of foodstuff mainly focus on carbohydrates, fatty acids, proteins and vitamins. Conventional methods for determining the carotenoids content require the extraction of the samples as well as other cleanup steps. In this work, Raman spectroscopy is applied to get the measured value form loquats with different mature stage which are compared with the reference value get from High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)，in order to find new, fast, and nondestructive calibration methods for quantification of β-carotene content in loquat fruits. Least Squares Support Vector Machine and Partial least squares data processing methods are used to analyze the Raman spectra while PLS model has a prediction quality with the correlation coefficient of 0.845; the root-mean-square error of 0.022 μg·g(-1) and LS-SVM model has a better prediction quality with the correlation coefficient of 0.910 with the root-mean-square error of 0.058 μg·g(-1).

Carotenoid profiling, in silico analysis and transcript profiling of miRNAs targeting carotenoid biosynthetic pathway genes in different developmental tissues of tomato

Carotenoid biosynthetic pathway is one of the highly significant and very well elucidated secondary metabolic pathways in plants. microRNAs are the potential regulators, widely known for playing a pivotal role in the regulation of various biological as well as metabolic processes. miRNAs may assist in the metabolic engineering of the secondary metabolites for the production of elite genotypes with increased biomass and content of various metabolites. miRNA mediated regulation of carotenoid biosynthetic genes has not been elucidated so far. To illustrate the potential regulatory role of miRNAs in carotenoid biosynthesis, transcript profiling of the known miRNAs and their possible target carotenoid genes was undertaken at eight different developmental stages of tomato, using stem-loop PCR approach combined with quantitative RT-PCR. The inter-relationship amongst carotenoid content, biosynthetic genes and miRNAs was studied in depth. Comparative expression profiles of miRNA and target genes showed variable expression in different tissues studied. The expression level of miRNAs and their target carotenoid genes displayed similar pattern in the vegetative tissues as compared to the reproductive ones, viz. fruit (different stages), indicating the possibility of regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis at various stages of fruit development. This was later confirmed by the HPLC analysis of the carotenoids. The present study has further enhanced the understanding of regulation of carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in plants. The identified miRNAs can be employed to manipulate the biosynthesis of different carotenoids, through metabolic engineering for the production of lycopene rich tomatoes.

Characterization of French Coriander Oil as Source of Petroselinic Acid

Coriander vegetable oil was extracted from fruits of French origin in a 23% yield. The oil was of good quality, with a low amount of free fatty acids (1.8%) and a concurrently high amount of triacylglycerols (98%). It is a rich source of petroselinic acid (C18:1n-12), an important renewable building block, making up 73% of all fatty acids, with also significant amounts of linoleic acid (14%), oleic acid (6%), and palmitic acid (3%). The oil was characterized by a high unsaponifiable fraction, comprising a substantial amount of phytosterols (6.70 g/kg). The main sterol markers were β-sitosterol (35% of total sterols), stigmasterol (24%), and Δ⁷-stigmastenol (18%). Squalene was detected at an amount of 0.2 g/kg. A considerable amount of tocols were identified (500 mg/kg) and consisted mainly of tocotrienols, with γ-tocotrienol as the major compound. The phospholipid content was low at 0.3%, of which the main phospholipid classes were phosphatidic acid (33%), phosphatidylcholine (25%), phosphatidylinositol (17%), and phosphatidylethanolamine (17%). About 50% of all phospholipids were non-hydratable. The β-carotene content was low at 10 mg/kg, while a significant amount of chlorophyll was detected at about 11 mg/kg. An iron content of 1.4 mg/kg was determined through element analysis of the vegetable oil. The influence of fruit origin on the vegetable oil composition was shown to be very important, particularly in terms of the phospholipids, sterols, and tocols composition.

Effect of routine prenatal supplementation on vitamin concentrations in maternal serum and breast milk

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of multivitamin supplements and their different vitamin A sources on retinol concentrations in serum and colostrum milk of postpartum women.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study composed of healthy postpartum women attending two Brazilian private maternity wards (N = 100). According to the type of multivitamin taken during pregnancy, the women were assigned to one of four groups: control group (CG; n = 25), formulation 1 (F1; n = 25), formulation 2 (F2; n = 25), and formulation 3 (F3; n = 25). Blood and colostrum samples were collected under fasting conditions and retinol was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Dietary vitamin A was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Retinol concentrations <20 μg/dL (<0.70 μmol/L) in serum and <60 μg/dL (2.10 μmol/L) in colostrum were considered indicative of vitamin A deficiency.

RESULTS

Of women in the control group, 12% (n = 3) presented serum retinol levels below the cut-off value for adequacy; this was not observed in the supplemented groups. Evaluating the retinol content in breast milk, supplemented groups F1 and F3 presented 4% (n = 1) of inadequacy cases, whereas F2 presented 40% (n = 10). The concentrations found in the F2 and F3 groups were statistically different (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of multivitamin supplements containing vitamin A during pregnancy prevents vitamin A deficiency regardless of the source administered. In breast milk, supplementation with β-carotene provided a lower concentration of vitamin A compared with retinol.

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Functional Lipophilic Compounds from Arthrospira platensis

Arthrospira platensis biomass was used in order to obtain functional lipophilic compounds through green extraction technologies such as supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction (SFE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The temperature (T) factor was evaluated for MAE, while for SFE, pressure (P), temperature (T), and co-solvent (ethanol) (CS) were evaluated. The maximum extraction yield of the obtained oleoresin was (4.07% ± 0.14%) and (4.27% ± 0.10%) for SFE and MAE, respectively. Extracts were characterized by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The maximum contents of functional lipophilic compounds in the SFE and MAE extracts were: for carotenoids 283 ± 0.10 μg/g and 629 ± 0.13 μg/g, respectively; for tocopherols 5.01 ± 0.05 μg/g and 2.46 ± 0.09 μg/g, respectively; and for fatty acids 34.76 ± 0.08 mg/g and 15.88 ± 0.06 mg/g, respectively. In conclusion, the SFE process at P 450 bar, T 60 °C and CS 53.33% of CO₂ produced the highest yield of tocopherols, carotenoids and fatty acids. The MAE process at 400 W and 50 °C gives the best extracts in terms of tocopherols and carotenoids. For yield and fatty acids, the MAE process at 400 W and 70 °C produced the highest values. Both SFE and MAE showed to be suitable green extraction technologies for obtaining functional lipophilic compounds from Arthrospira platensis.

[Optimization for determination methods of alpha-, beta- carotene in vegetables]

OBJECTIVE

To optimize the determination method of carotene in order to separate the alpha and beta carotene.

METHODS

The homogenized samples were extracted with ethanol before saponification, and then extracted with petroleum ether followed by wash, dry and concentration. At last, the separation was performed on the high performance liquid chromatographic with YMC Carotenoid C30 column (3 microm 4.6 mm x 150 mm). The mobile phase was consisted of A (methanol: acetonitrile: water = 73.5: 24.5:2) and B (methyl tert-butyl ether), with a linear gradient elution. The detection wavelength was 450 nm.

RESULTS

The C30-HPLC column was used throughout the experiment exhibiting a significant benefit for the separation of carotienes and isomers. Multifactor analysis of variance showed that heating by the anhydrous ethyl alcohol before the saponification was more suitable for extracting the carotenoids from vegetables. Under the optimal condition, the linear range of alpha-carotene was 0.495-9.90 microg/mL, and all-trans-beta-carotene was 0.552-10.4 microg/mL, with the linear correlation coefficient were above 0. 999. The relative standard deviation for the alpha and beta carotene were less than 10% (n = 6). The average spike recoveries for alpha and beta carotene in vegetables were 81.6%-93.3%. The detection and quantification limits for alpha and beta carotene were 0.5 microg/100 g and 1.5 microg/100 g, respectively, when taking 5g samples.

CONCLUSION

The method is accurate, reliable, and fit for analyzing alpha-carotene and beta-carotene in fresh vegetables.

Differential Pigment Accumulation in Carrot Leaves and Roots during Two Growing Periods

Carotenoids are important secondary metabolites involved in plant growth and nutritional quality of vegetable crops. These pigments are highly accumulated in carrot root, but knowledge about the impact of environmental factors on their accumulation is limited. The purpose of this work was to investigate the impact of environmental variations on carotenoid accumulation in carrot leaves and roots. In this work, carrots were grown during two contrasting periods to maximize bioclimatic differences. In leaves, carotenoid and chlorophyll contents were lower in the less favorable growing conditions, whereas relative contents were well conserved for all genotypes, suggesting a common regulatory mechanism. The down-regulation of all genes under environmental constraints demonstrates that carotenoid accumulation is regulated at the transcriptional level. In roots, the decrease in α-carotene and lutein contents was accompanied by an increase of β-carotene relative content. At the transcriptional level, LCYB and ZEP expression increased, whereas LCYE expression decreased, in the less favorable conditions, suggesting that carotenoid biosynthesis is switched toward the β-branch.

Selective carotenoid accumulation by varying nutrient media and salinity in Synechocystis sp. CCNM 2501

Nutrients are the deciding factors in the biological production of bioactive compounds. Various growth media like BG11, Zarrouk's and Chu's 10 were studied for carotenoid production in Synechocystis sp. CCNM 2501. Maximum carotenoid content (dry weight basis) was found in Zarrouk's medium (ZM, 7.99mgg(-1)) followed by BG11 (5.13mgg(-1)). Echinenone content was 4 times higher in ZM (3.81mgg(-1)) as compared to BG11 (0.95mgg(-1)) and Chu's 10 (0.77mgg(-1)). Being an economical medium, BG11 was selected for carotenoid production. Further, increase in salinity from 0 to 0.2M in BG11 medium increases total carotenoid content from 5.82 to 7.05mgg(-1) and later it declines to 6.23mgg(-1) (1M). 3 times more β-carotene is produced at 1M salinity as compared to control BG11. The variation in carotenoid composition with change in nutrients/salinity can be a good strategy to enhance certain targeted carotenoids.

Flow-through cross-polarized imaging as a new tool to overcome the analytical sensitivity challenges of a low-dose crystalline compound in a lipid matrix

Assessing the physical state of a low-dose active compound in a solid lipid or polymer matrix is analytically challenging, especially if the matrix exhibits some crystallinity. The aim of this study was first to compare the ability of current methods to detect the presence of a crystalline model compound in lipid matrices. Subsequently, a new technique was introduced and evaluated because of sensitivity issues that were encountered with current methods. The new technique is a flow-through version of cross-polarized imaging in transmission mode. The tested lipid-based solid dispersions (SDs) consisted of β-carotene (BC) as a model compound, and of Gelucire 50/13 or Geleol mono- and diglycerides as lipid matrices. The solid dispersions were analyzed by (hyper) differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and microscopic techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM). DSC and XRPD could analyze crystalline BC at concentrations as low as 3% (w/w) in the formulations. However, with microscopic techniques crystalline particles were detected at significantly lower concentrations of even 0.5% (w/w) BC. A flow-through cross-polarized imaging technique was introduced that combines the advantage of analyzing a larger sample size with high sensitivity of microscopy. Crystals were detected easily in samples containing even less than 0.2% (w/w) BC. Moreover, the new tool enabled approximation of the kinetic BC solubility in the crystalline lipid matrices. As a conclusion, the flow-through cross-polarized imaging technique has the potential to become an indispensable tool for characterizing low-dose crystalline compounds in a lipid or polymer matrix of solid dispersions.

Wide-genome QTL mapping of fruit quality traits in a tomato RIL population derived from the wild-relative species Solanum pimpinellifolium L

QTL and candidate genes associated to fruit quality traits have been identified in a tomato genetic map derived from Solanum pimpinellifolium L., providing molecular tools for marker-assisted breeding. The study of genetic, physiological, and molecular pathways involved in fruit development and ripening has considered tomato as the model fleshy-fruited species par excellence. Fruit quality traits regarding organoleptic and nutritional properties are major goals for tomato breeding programs since they largely decide the acceptance of tomato in both fresh and processing markets. Here we report the genetic mapping of single-locus and epistatic quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated to the fruit size and content of sugars, acids, vitamins, and carotenoids from the characterization of a RIL population derived from the wild-relative Solanum pimpinellifolium TO-937. A genetic map composed of 353 molecular markers including 13 genes regulating fruit and developmental traits was generated, which spanned 1007 cM with an average distance between markers of 2.8 cM. Genetic analyses indicated that fruit quality traits analyzed in this work exhibited transgressive segregation and that additive and epistatic effects are the major genetic basis of fruit quality traits. Moreover, most mapped QTL showed environment interaction effects. FrW7.1 fruit size QTL co-localized with QTL involved in soluble solid, vitamin C, and glucose contents, dry weight/fresh weight, and most importantly with the Sucrose Phosphate Synthase gene, suggesting that polymorphisms in this gene could influence genetic variation in several fruit quality traits. In addition, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase and Tocopherol cyclase genes were identified as candidate genes underlying QTL variation in beta-carotene and vitamin C. Together, our results provide useful genetic and molecular information regarding fruit quality and new chances for tomato breeding by implementing marker-assisted selection.

Nutritional values and bioactive components of under-utilised vegetables consumed by indigenous people in Malaysia

BACKGROUND

Diverse plants species in the forest remain under-utilised and they are mainly consumed only by local people. However, increasing issues in food security prompted the present study, which explores the nutritional and antioxidant aspects of Malaysian under-utilised vegetables. The studied vegetables were Paku Nyai (Stenochlaena palustris), Cemperai (Champereia manillana), Maman Pasir (Cleome viscose), Dudung (Erechtites valerianifolia) and Semambuk (Ardisia pendula).

RESULTS

Overall, these vegetables exhibited a low proximal content but they were high in vitamin C [7.07-1263 mg kg(-1) edible fresh sample (EFS)] and β-carotene content (18.4-43.9 mg kg(-1) kg(-1) EFS). Cemperai had the highest calcium content (565 mg kg(-1) EFS), whereas Semambuk had the highest total phenolic content [28.21 g gallic acid equivalents kg(-1) edible dried sample (EDS)] and antioxidant activity (86.1%) measured using β-carotene bleaching assay. Maman Pasir contained the highest total flavonoid content (39.99 g CE kg(-1) EDS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity (82.2%). The extracts of these vegetables had significantly prevented the oxidation of haemoglobin and low-density lipoprotein, which yielded a reduced production of malondialdehyde.

CONCLUSION

Semambuk and Maman Pasir are potent to be used as new food and functional food sources as they are rich in nutrients and antioxidants.

Beta-cryptoxanthin as a source of vitamin A

Beta-cryptoxanthin is a common carotenoid that is found in fruit, and in human blood and tissues. Foods that are rich in beta-cryptoxanthin include tangerines, persimmons and oranges. Beta-cryptoxanthin has several functions that are important for human health, including roles in antioxidant defense and cell-to-cell communication. Most importantly, beta-cryptoxanthin is a precursor of vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient needed for eyesight, growth, development and immune response. We evaluate the evidence for beta-cryptoxanthin as a vitamin A-forming carotenoid in this paper. Observational, in vitro, animal model and human studies suggest that beta-cryptoxanthin has greater bioavailability from its common food sources than do alpha- and beta-carotene from theirs. Although beta-cryptoxanthin appears to be a poorer substrate for beta-carotene 15,15' oxygenase than is beta-carotene, animal model and human studies suggest that the comparatively high bioavailability of beta-cryptoxanthin from foods makes beta-cryptoxanthin-rich foods equivalent to beta-carotene-rich foods as sources of vitamin A. These results mean that beta-cryptoxanthin-rich foods are probably better sources of vitamin A, and more important for human health in general, than previously assumed.

Linear Polarized Transmission Resonance Raman Studies in Fruits: Experimental Versus Model Calculations

A linear polarized transmission resonance Raman spectroscopic technique was developed to measure the depolarization ratio of different β-carotene Raman bands in carrot roots and mangos. Basically, this optical property was measured as a function of the vegetal tissue thickness and fruit postharvest lifetime. In general, the depolarization ratio increases as the sample optical thickness does and decreases as the fruit postharvest lifetime increases. In addition, a previous theoretical model was extended by considering the light state of polarization to obtain the depolarization ratio as a function of the sample absorption and scattering coefficient. It was shown how the reported theoretical model is able to satisfactorily describe the fruit optical parameter dependence on both the sample thickness and its postharvest time. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the present technique and theoretical mode are discussed.

[Resonance Raman Spectral Properties Studies of Beta-carotene in Solution]

Beta-carotene is an important kind of polyene biomolecules, which has significant applications on researching optoelectronic and functional materials. In-situ high pressure Raman spectra of beta-carotene are measured in CS2 solution and water respectively at pressure range from 0-0.60 GPa. Then we compared both of them the Raman shift and CC bond of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Raman spectra. It is therefore concluded that both of the samples' Raman shift moved to the high wave number and the full width at half maximum increased depending of the pressure. The experiment phenomena were interpreted by the theory of "coherent weakly damped electronic-lattice vibration model" and "effective conjugation length model". The mechanism is that the beta-carotene is compressed and has the lower structure order, shorte the effective conjugation length, decreased Raman active, weaker the coherent weakly damping CC bond vibration in high pressure. Because of the CC bond length become short, so the Raman spectra are found to blueshift. The CC bond of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Raman spectra increased is attributed to the increase of difference in C--C and C==C bond lengths. Moreover, due to dissolving in non-polar CS2 solvent, the beta-carotene encounters the interaction of the surrounding solvent molecules. So the dispersion force interaction between solute and solvent is more sensitive to pressure. Then it makes that the slop of Raman shift and the full width at half maximum in the CS2 solution are faster than dissolved in water with increasing pressure. This paper provides an application value for research on molecular structure change under the external field and the presence form of polyenes biomolecules in the solvent.

Genotypic and Environmental Impact on Natural Variation of Nutrient Composition in 50 Non Genetically Modified Commercial Maize Hybrids in North America

This study was designed to assess natural variation in composition and metabolites in 50 genetically diverse non genetically modified maize hybrids grown at six locations in North America. Results showed that levels of compositional components in maize forage were affected by environment more than genotype. Crude protein, all amino acids except lysine, manganese, and β-carotene in maize grain were affected by environment more than genotype; however, most proximates and fibers, all fatty acids, lysine, most minerals, vitamins, and secondary metabolites in maize grain were affected by genotype more than environment. A strong interaction between genotype and environment was seen for some analytes. The results could be used as reference values for future nutrient composition studies of genetically modified crops and to expand conventional compositional data sets. These results may be further used as a genetic basis for improvement of the nutritional value of maize grain by molecular breeding and biotechnology approaches.

Compositional assessments of key maize populations: B73 hybrids of the Nested Association Mapping founder lines and diverse landrace inbred lines

The present study provides an assessment of the compositional diversity in maize B73 hybrids derived both from the Nested Association Mapping (NAM) founder lines and from a diverse collection of landrace accessions from North and South America. The NAM founders represent a key population of publicly available lines that are used extensively in the maize community to investigate the genetic basis of complex traits. Landraces are also of interest to the maize community as they offer the potential to discover new alleles that could be incorporated into modern maize lines. The compositional analysis of B73 hybrids from the 25 NAM founders and 24 inbred lines derived from landraces included measurements of proximates (protein, fat, ash, and starch), fibers, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, tocopherols (α-, γ-, and δ-), β-carotene, phytic acid, and raffinose. Grain was harvested from a replicated trial in New York, USA. For each data set (NAM and landrace) canonical discriminant analysis allowed separation of distinct breeding groups (tropical, temperate, flint, mixed/intermediate) within each data set. Overall, results highlighted extensive variation in all composition components assessed for both sets of hybrids. The variation observed for some components within the landraces may therefore be of value for increasing their levels in modern maize lines. The study described here provided significant information on contributions of conventional breeding to crop compositional variation, as well as valuable information on key genetic resources for the maize community in the development of new improved lines.

Gardening practices in a rural village in South Africa 10 years after completion of a home garden project

BACKGROUND

Few studies have documented whether the behavior changes produced by home garden projects have been maintained after completion of the projects.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the benefits and challenges affecting production and consumption of β-carotene-rich vegetables and fruits in a rural South African village 10 years after completion of a home garden project.

METHODS

This cross-sectional survey assessed gardening practices and household consumption of β-carotene-rich vegetables and fruits using a questionnaire (n = 186). Benefits and challenges affecting production and consumption of β-carotene-rich vegetables and fruits were assessed through focus group discussions.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine percent of the households currently planted β-carotene-rich vegetables and fruits. Major challenges included lack of fencing, animals eating crops, and lack or shortage of water. Planting materials for β-carotene-rich vegetables were sourced from the community nursery, while papaya was grown from its own seed. Shops were the most likely alternative sources of β-carotene-rich vegetables. The frequency of consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potato, butternut, spinach, and papaya when in season differed significantly, with households planting β-carotene-rich vegetables and fruits having more frequent consumption than households not planting these vegetables and fruits. Households planting β-carotene-rich vegetables and fruits were perceived as "well-to-do" and "healthy" households and as "givers".

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that 10 years after the endline evaluation of a home garden project, approximately one-third of the households in the village planted β-carotene-rich vegetables and fruits, which is very similar to the proportion at project completion and a postintervention study that was done 6 years later, despite various challenges, indicating that the practice of planting these vegetables and fruits was continued over the years.

Analytical tools for the analysis of β-carotene and its degradation products

β-Carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, possesses pronounced radical scavenging properties. This has centered the attention on β-carotene dietary supplementation in healthcare as well as in the therapy of degenerative disorders and several cancer types. However, two intervention trials with β-carotene have revealed adverse effects on two proband groups, that is, cigarette smokers and asbestos-exposed workers. Beside other causative reasons, the detrimental effects observed have been related to the oxidation products of β-carotene. Their generation originates in the polyene structure of β-carotene that is beneficial for radical scavenging, but is also prone to oxidation. Depending on the dominant degradation mechanism, bond cleavage might occur either randomly or at defined positions of the conjugated electron system, resulting in a diversity of cleavage products (CPs). Due to their instability and hydrophobicity, the handling of standards and real samples containing β-carotene and related CPs requires preventive measures during specimen preparation, analyte extraction, and final analysis, to avoid artificial degradation and to preserve the initial analyte portfolio. This review critically discusses different preparation strategies of standards and treatment solutions, and also addresses their protection from oxidation. Additionally, in vitro oxidation strategies for the generation of oxidative model compounds are surveyed. Extraction methods are discussed for volatile and non-volatile CPs individually. Gas chromatography (GC), (ultra)high performance liquid chromatography (U)HPLC, and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) are reviewed as analytical tools for final analyte analysis. For identity confirmation of analytes, mass spectrometry (MS) is indispensable, and the appropriate ionization principles are comprehensively discussed. The final sections cover analysis of real samples and aspects of quality assurance, namely matrix effects and method validation.

Carotenoid profile of tomato sauces: effect of cooking time and content of extra virgin olive oil

The consumption of carotenoid-rich vegetables such as tomatoes and tomato sauces is associated with reduced risk of several chronic diseases. The predominant carotenoids in tomato products are in the (all-E) configuration, but (Z) isomers can be formed during thermal processing. The effect of cooking time (15, 30, 45 and 60 min) and the addition of extra virgin olive oil (5% and 10%) on the carotenoid extractability of tomato sauces was monitored using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and LC-ultraviolet detection (LC-UV). The thermal treatment and the addition of extra virgin olive oil increased the levels of antioxidant activity, total carotenoids, Z-lycopene isomers, α-carotene and β-carotene. These results are of particular nutritional benefit since higher lycopene intake has been associated with a reduced risk of lethal prostate and a reduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Moreover, β-carotene has been reported to suppress the up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 gene expression in a dose dependent manner and to suppress UVA-induced HO-1 gene expression in cultured FEK4.

Comparison of content and in vitro bioaccessibility of provitamin A carotenoids in home cooked and commercially processed orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas Lam)

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a public health problem in some regions of Brazil. Increased use of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) as a source of pro-vitamin A represents a potential strategy for prevention of VAD. We compared the pro-vitamin A content, vitamin A equivalency and bioaccessibility of β-carotene (βC) of two varieties of home cooked OFSP and two commercial sources of processed OFSP. Pro-vitamin A carotenoid content in home cooked, Beauregard variety of OFSP exceeded that in Amelia variety and commercial products for babies. All-trans-βC was the most abundant carotenoid in raw, cooked and commercial OFSP. Boiling and frying OFSP generally decreased total βC. A serving of 100 g FW Beauregard variety of cooked OFSP contained greater than 100% of the estimated average requirement (EAR) for children and women, and up to 92% EAR for lactating women. Although the efficiency of micellarization of all-trans-βC during simulated digestion of OFSP was relatively low (4-8%) and significantly less than for cis-isomers, the quantities of trans-βC incorporated into micelles from boiled Beauregard and fried Amelia varieties exceeded that in micelles generated by digesting commercial OFSP. The bioaccessibility of pro-vitamin A carotenoids in the micelle fraction of digested OFSP was confirmed with differentiated cultures of Caco-2 human intestinal cells. Continued development of OFSP such as the Amelia and Beauregard varieties that are rich in trans-βC and dissemination of best practices for home cooking are encouraged to increase consumption of this food to decrease the risk of vitamin A deficiency in Brazil.

Drop coating deposition Raman spectroscopy of blood plasma for the detection of colorectal cancer

We have recently applied the technique of drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) spectroscopy for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection using blood plasma. The aim of this study was to develop a more convenient and stable method based on blood plasma for noninvasive CRC detection. Significant differences are observed in DCDR spectra between healthy (n = 105) and cancer (n = 75) plasma from 15 CRC patients and 21 volunteers, particularly in the spectra that are related to proteins, nucleic acids, and β-carotene. The multivariate analysis principal components analysis and the linear discriminate analysis, together with leave-one-out, cross validation were used on DCDR spectra and yielded a sensitivity of 100% (75/75) and specificity of 98.1% (103/105) for detection of CRC. This study demonstrates that DCDR spectroscopy of blood plasma associated with multivariate statistical algorithms has the potential for the noninvasive detection of CRC.

Vitamin retention in eight fruits and vegetables: a comparison of refrigerated and frozen storage

Four vitamins were analyzed in several fruit and vegetable commodities to evaluate the differences between fresh and frozen produce. Ascorbic acid, riboflavin, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene were evaluated in corn, carrots, broccoli, spinach, peas, green beans, strawberries, and blueberries. Samples of each commodity were harvested, processed, and analyzed for nutrient content at three storage times per treatment. Ascorbic acid showed no significant difference for five of the eight commodities and was higher in frozen samples than fresh for the remaining three commodities. Apart from broccoli and peas, which were higher and lower in frozen vs fresh samples, respectively, none of the commodities showed significant differences with respect to riboflavin content. Three commodities had higher levels of α-tocopherol in the frozen samples, while the remaining commodities showed no significant difference between fresh and frozen. β-Carotene was not found in significant amounts in blueberries, strawberries, and corn. Peas, carrots, and spinach were lower in β-carotene in the frozen samples, while green beans and spinach showed no significant difference between the two storage methods. Overall, the vitamin content of the frozen commodities was comparable to and occasionally higher than that of their fresh counterparts. β-Carotene, however, was found to decrease drastically in some commodities.

Interrelations between herbage yield, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, lutein, protein, and fiber in non-leguminous forbs, forage legumes, and a grass-clover mixture as affected by harvest date

Pastures with diverse botanical composition may enhance animal-derived product quality. A recent study demonstrated high vitamin concentrations and yields in some forb species. The objectives of the present study were to investigate interrelations between herbage yields, vitamin concentrations, protein and fiber contents and analyze the effect of harvest date. We hypothesized that interrelations would be similar across investigated forage species. Four nonleguminous forbs: salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), caraway (Carum carvi), chicory (Cichorium intybus), and ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), three legumes: yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), lucerne (Medicago sativa), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)-white clover (Trifolium repens) mixture were sown in a field trial with two replicated and randomized blocks. Forage in 1.5 m × 9 m plots was grown in two consecutive years and cut four times per year (May-October). Analyses of variance were performed. In most herbages, α-tocopherol and β-carotene were positively correlated as were β-carotene and lutein; all vitamins were negatively correlated with fiber content and herbage yield. β-Carotene was positively correlated with protein content. α-Tocopherol and β-carotene contents were generally highest in October and lowest in July. Our results showed similar interrelationships in most investigated species, and we suggest that these species may be mixed when designing novel biodiverse mixtures for particular product quality characteristics.

Effect of UV-C radiation on bioactive compounds of pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.) by-products

BACKGROUND

The industrial processing of pineapple generates a high quantity of by-products. To reduce the environmental impact of these by-products and the inherent cost of their treatment, it is important to characterise and valorise these products, converting them into high added value products. Ultra-violet radiation is one of the main sustainable sanitation techniques for fruits. Since this radiation can induce plant stress which can promote the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds, it is important to evaluate its effect in fruits.

RESULTS

The amounts of vitamins (C and E) and carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, neoxanthin, violaxanthin and zeaxanthin) in pineapple by-products (core and rind) were analysed before and after treatment with UV radiation. All treated and untreated pineapple by-products contained β-carotene as the main carotenoid (rind, 2537-3225 µg; and core, 960-994 µg 100 g(-1) DW). Pineapple rind also contained lutein (288-297 µg 100 g(-1) DW) and α-carotene (89-126 µg 100 g(-1) DW).

CONCLUSION

The results provide evidence of the potential of pineapple by-products as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity, which can be used by pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. In addition, UV-C was shown to be a treatment that can add nutritional value to pineapple by-products.

Proteome analysis of cytoplasmatic and plastidic β-carotene lipid droplets in Dunaliella bardawil

The halotolerant green alga Dunaliella bardawil is unique in that it accumulates under stress two types of lipid droplets: cytoplasmatic lipid droplets (CLD) and β-carotene-rich (βC) plastoglobuli. Recently, we isolated and analyzed the lipid and pigment compositions of these lipid droplets. Here, we describe their proteome analysis. A contamination filter and an enrichment filter were utilized to define core proteins. A proteome database of Dunaliella salina/D. bardawil was constructed to aid the identification of lipid droplet proteins. A total of 124 and 42 core proteins were identified in βC-plastoglobuli and CLD, respectively, with only eight common proteins. Dunaliella spp. CLD resemble cytoplasmic droplets from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and contain major lipid droplet-associated protein and enzymes involved in lipid and sterol metabolism. The βC-plastoglobuli proteome resembles the C. reinhardtii eyespot and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plastoglobule proteomes and contains carotene-globule-associated protein, plastid-lipid-associated protein-fibrillins, SOUL heme-binding proteins, phytyl ester synthases, β-carotene biosynthesis enzymes, and proteins involved in membrane remodeling/lipid droplet biogenesis: VESICLE-INDUCING PLASTID PROTEIN1, synaptotagmin, and the eyespot assembly proteins EYE3 and SOUL3. Based on these and previous results, we propose models for the biogenesis of βC-plastoglobuli and the biosynthesis of β-carotene within βC-plastoglobuli and hypothesize that βC-plastoglobuli evolved from eyespot lipid droplets.

Effects of some extrusion variables on physicochemical characteristics of extruded corn starch-passion fruit pulp (Passiflora edulis) snacks

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the addition of passion fruit pulp (PFP: 0-7%), the variation of barrel temperature in the third zone extruder (BT: 80-140 °C) and feed moisture (FM:16-30%) in a blend of corn starch and passion fruit pulp on different physicochemical characteristics of directly expanded snacks by extrusion technology. Single-screw laboratory extruder and a central, composite, rotatable experimental design were used. Expansion index of extrudates ranged between 1.0 and 1.8. Decreasing of feed moisture (18%), passion fruit pulp concentration (1.42%) and the increasing of barrel temperature (127 °C) resulted in higher expansion index. The increasing of feed moisture and passion fruit pulp concentration resulted in higher penetration force values of extrudates. The passion fruit pulp concentration showed a highly significant effect (p ≤ 0.01) on the L *, a * and b * parameters. Passion fruit pulp has a reasonable source of β-carotene, proteins and dietary fibers that can be added to expanded snacks.

Lipid-dissolved γ-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene in globular chromoplasts of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) fruits

High levels of β-carotene, lycopene, and the rare γ-carotene occur predominantly lipid-dissolved in the chromoplasts of peach palm fruits. First proof of their absorption from these fruits is reported. The structural diversity, the physical deposition state in planta, and the human bioavailability of carotenoids from the edible fruits of diverse orange and yellow-colored peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) varieties were investigated. HPLC-PDA-MS(n) revealed a broad range of carotenes, reaching total carotenoid levels from 0.7 to 13.9 mg/100 g FW. Besides the predominant (all-E)-β-carotene (0.4-5.4 mg/100 g FW), two (Z)-isomers of γ-carotene (0.1-3.9 mg/100 g FW), and one (Z)-lycopene isomer (0.04-0.83 mg/100 g FW) prevailed. Approximately 89-94 % of total carotenoid content pertained to provitamin A carotenoids with retinol activity equivalents ranging from 37 to 609 µg/100 g FW. The physical deposition state of these carotenoids in planta was investigated using light, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy. The plastids found in both orange and yellow-colored fruit mesocarps were amylo-chromoplasts of the globular type, containing carotenoids predominantly in a lipid-dissolved form. The hypothesis of lipid-dissolved carotenoids was supported by simple solubility estimations based on carotenoid and lipid contents of the fruit mesocarp. In our study, we report first results on the human bioavailability of γ-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene from peach palm fruit, particularly proving the post-prandial absorption of the rarely occurring γ-carotene. Since the physical state of carotenoid deposition has been shown to be decisive for carotenoid bioavailability, lipid-dissolved carotenoids in peach palm fruits are expected to be highly bioavailable, however, further studies are required.

Extraction of pigment information from near-UV vis absorption spectra of extra virgin olive oils

This work reports a new approach to extract the maximum chemical information from the absorption spectrum of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) in the 390-720 nm spectral range, where "oil pigments" dominate the light absorption. Four most important pigments, i.e., two carotenoids (lutein and β-carotene) and two chlorophylls (pheophytin-a and pheophytin-b), are chosen as reference oil pigments, being present in all the reported analytical data regarding pigments of EVOOs. The method allows the quantification of the concentration values of these four pigments directly from the deconvolution of the measured absorption spectrum of EVOOs. Advantages and limits of the method and the reliability of the pigment family quantification are discussed. The main point of this work is the description of a fast and simple method to extract of such information in less than a minute, through the mathematical analysis of the UV-vis spectrum of untreated samples of oil.

Loss of sulfur dioxide and changes in some chemical properties of Malatya apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) during sulfuring and drying

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to determine the differences in some analytical properties of four apricot cultivars and to determine the changes in these analytical properties during sulfuring and sun-drying.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the contents of polyphenols, carotenoids and organic acids (OA) as well as antioxidant activities (AOAs) of the cultivars (P < 0.05). After sulfuring and drying, considerable reductions were detected in the contents of total polyphenols (TPCs, 11-26%), OAs (4-32%) and β-carotene (6-21%), and AOAs (2-21%) of the samples. Sun-drying resulted in 71-83% decreases in sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) contents of sulfured-dried apricots (SDAs) in comparison with apricots immediately after sulfuring. As the TPCs increased, the SO2 absorption by the samples also increased. In contrast, the OA contents had no effect on SO2 absorption, but an increase in OA content resulted in an increase in the browning values of the SDAs. As expected, increases in contents of ferulic acid (r = 0.932), chlorogenic acid (r = 0.850), epicatechin (r = 0.804) and quercetin (r = 0.750) led to an increase in browning values of the SDAs.

CONCLUSION

There were significant effects of cultivar and processing on the physico-chemical properties investigated in the study, and with the absorption of SO2 and the formation of a brown colour in the samples.