A Review of the Structure, Biosynthesis, Absorption of Carotenoids-Analysis and Properties of their Common Natural Extracts

A review on mechanisms and impacts of cold plasma treatment as a non-thermal technology on food pigments

Food characteristics like appearance and color, which are delicate parameters during food processing, are important determinants of product acceptance because of the growing trend toward more diverse and healthier diets worldwide, as well as the increase in population and its effects on food consumption. Cold plasma (CP), as a novel technology, has marked a new trend in agriculture and food processing due to the various advantages of meeting both the physicochemical and nutritional characteristics of food products with minimal changes in physical, chemical, nutritional, and sensorial properties. CP processing has a positive impact on food quality, including the preservation of natural food pigments. This article describes the influence of CP on natural food pigments and color changes in vegetables and fruits. Attributes of natural pigments, such as carotenoids, chlorophyll, anthocyanin, betalain, and myoglobin, are presented. In addition, the characteristics and mechanisms of CP processes were studied, and the effect of CP on mentioned pigments was investigated in recent literature, showing that the use of CP technology led to better preservation of pigments, improving their preservation and extraction yield. While certain modest and undesirable changes in color are documented, overall, the exposure of most food items to CP resulted in minor loss and even beneficial influence on color. More study is needed since not all elements of CP treatment are currently understood. The negative and positive effects of CP on natural food pigments in various products are discussed in this review.

Color components determination and full-length comparative transcriptomic analyses reveal the potential mechanism of carotenoid synthesis during Paphiopedilum armeniacum flowering

Background

Paphiopedilum armeniacum (P. armeniacum), an ornamental plant native to China, is known for its distinctive yellow blossoms. However, the mechanisms underlying P. armeniacum flower coloration remain unclear.

Methods

We selected P. armeniacum samples from different flowering stages and conducted rigorous physicochemical analyses. The specimens were differentiated based on their chemical properties, specifically their solubilities in polar solvents. This key step enabled us to identify the main metabolite of flower color development of P. armeniacum, and to complete the identification by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) based on the results. Additionally, we employed a combined approach, integrating both third-generation full-length transcriptome sequencing and second-generation high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, to comprehensively explore the molecular components involved.

Results

We combined physical and chemical analysis with transcriptome sequencing to reveal that carotenoid is the main pigment of P. armeniacum flower color. Extraction colorimetric method and HPLC were used to explore the characteristics of carotenoid accumulation during flowering. We identified 28 differentially expressed carotenoid biosynthesis genes throughout the flowering process, validated their expression through fluorescence quantification, and discovered 19 potential positive regulators involved in carotenoid synthesis. Among these candidates, three RCP2 genes showed a strong potential for governing the PDS and ZDS gene families. In summary, our study elucidates the fundamental mechanisms governing carotenoid synthesis during P. armeniacum flowering, enhancing our understanding of this process and providing a foundation for future research on the molecular mechanisms driving P. armeniacum flowering.

Genome-wide identification of CCO gene family in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and its comparative analysis with A. thaliana

Carotenoid cleavage oxygenase (CCO) is an enzyme capable of converting carotenoids into volatile, aromatic compounds and it plays an important role in the production of two significant plant hormones, i.e., abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactone (SL). The cucumber plant genome has not been mined for genomewide identification of the CCO gene family. In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide analysis to identify and thoroughly examine the CCO gene family within the genomic sequence of Cucumis sativus L. A Total of 10 CCO genes were identified and mostly localized in the cytoplasm and chloroplast. The CCO gene is divided into seven subfamilies i.e. 3 NCED, 3 CCD, and 1 CCD-like (CCDL) subfamily according to phylogenetic analysis. Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) analysis revealed the elements associated with growth and development as well as reactions to phytohormonal, biotic, and abiotic stress conditions. CCOs were involved in a variety of physiological and metabolic processes, according to Gene Ontology annotation. Additionally, 10 CCO genes were regulated by 84 miRNA. The CsCCO genes had substantial purifying selection acting upon them, according to the synteny block. In addition, RNAseq analysis indicated that CsCCO genes were expressed in response to phloem transportation and treatment of chitosan oligosaccharides. CsCCD7 and CsNCED2 showed the highest gene expression in response to the exogenous application of chitosan oligosaccharides to improve cold stress in cucumbers. We also found that these genes CsCCD4a and CsCCDL-a showed the highest expression in different plant organs with respect to phloem content. The cucumber CCO gene family was the subject of the first genome-wide report in this study, which may help us better understand cucumber CCO proteins and lay the groundwork for the gene family's future cloning and functional investigations.

Genome-wide identification and in-silico expression analysis of carotenoid cleavage oxygenases gene family in Oryza sativa (rice) in response to abiotic stress

Rice constitutes a foundational cereal and plays a vital role in the culinary sector. However, the detriments of abiotic stress on rice quality and productivity are noteworthy. Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCO) hold vital importance as they enable the particular breakdown of carotenoids and significantly contribute towards the growth and response to abiotic stress in rice. Due to the insufficient information regarding rice CCOs and their potential role in abiotic stress, their utilization in stress-resistant genetic breeding remains limited. The current research identified 16 CCO genes within the Oryza sativa japonica group. These OsCCO genes can be bifurcated into three categories based on their conserved sequences: NCEDs (9-Cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases), CCDs (Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases) and CCD-like (Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases-like). Conserved motifs were found in the OsCCO gene sequence via MEME analysis and multiple sequence alignment. Stress-related cis-elements were detected in the promoter regions of OsCCOs genes, indicating their involvement in stress response. Additionally, the promoters of these genes had various components related to plant light, development, and hormone responsiveness, suggesting they may be responsive to plant hormones and involved in developmental processes. MicroRNAs play a pivotal role in the regulation of these 16 genes, underscoring their significance in rice gene regulation. Transcriptome data analysis suggests a tissue-specific expression pattern for rice CCOs. Only OsNCED6 and OsNCED10 significantly up-regulated during salt stress, as per RNA seq analyses. CCD7 and CCD8 levels were also higher in the CCD group during the inflorescence growth stage. This provides insight into the function of rice CCOs in abiotic stress response and identifies possible genes that could be beneficial for stress-resistant breeding.

Chemical Composition, Functional and Anticancer Properties of Carrot

Plants are a valuable source of drugs for cancer treatment. Daucus carota has been investigated for its health properties. In particular, Daucus carota L. subsp. Sativus, the common edible carrot root, has been found to be rich in bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and dietary fiber and contains many other functional components with significant health-promoting features, while Daucus carota L. subsp. Carrot (Apiacae), also known as wild carrot, has been usually used for gastric ulcer therapy, diabetes, and muscle pain in Lebanon. Here, we review the chemical composition of Daucus carota L. and the functional properties of both edible and wild carrot subspecies. Then, we focus on compounds with anticancer characteristics identified in both Daucus carota subspecies, and we discuss their potential use in the development of novel anticancer therapeutic strategies.

Overview of the Potential Beneficial Effects of Carotenoids on Consumer Health and Well-Being

Well-known experimental research demonstrates that oxidative stress is the leading cause of the onset and progression of major human health disorders such as cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, and cancer diseases. A high concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species leads to damage of proteins, lipids, and DNA associated with susceptibility to chronic human degenerative disorders. Biological and pharmaceutical investigations have recently focused on exploring both oxidative stress and its defense mechanisms to manage health disorders. Therefore, in recent years there has been considerable interest in bioactive food plant compounds as naturally occurring antioxidant sources able to prevent, reverse, and/or reduce susceptibility to chronic disease. To contribute to this research aim, herein, we reviewed the beneficial effects of carotenoids on human health. Carotenoids are bioactive compounds widely existing in natural fruits and vegetables. Increasing research has confirmed that carotenoids have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory activities. This paper presents an overview of the latest research progress on the biochemistry and preventative and therapeutic benefits of carotenoids, particularly lycopene, in promoting human health. This review could be a starting point for improving the research and investigation of carotenoids as possible ingredients of functional health foods and nutraceuticals in the fields of healthy products, cosmetics, medicine, and the chemical industry.

Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts and Essential Oils

Plant extracts and essential oils have a wide variety of molecules with potential application in different fields such as medicine, the food industry, and cosmetics. Furthermore, these plant derivatives are widely interested in human and animal health, including potent antitumor, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and bactericidal activity. Given this diversity, different methodologies were needed to optimize the extraction, purification, and characterization of each class of biomolecules. In addition, these plant products can still be used in the synthesis of nanomaterials to reduce the undesirable effects of conventional synthesis routes based on hazardous/toxic chemical reagents and associate the properties of nanomaterials with those present in extracts and essential oils. Vegetable oils and extracts are chemically complex, and although they are already used in the synthesis of nanomaterials, limited studies have examined which molecules are effectively acting in the synthesis and stabilization of these nanostructures. Similarly, few studies have investigated whether the molecules coating the nanomaterials derived from these extracts and essential oils would bring benefits or somehow reduce their potential activity. This synergistic effect presents a promising field to be further explored. Thus, in this review article, we conducted a comprehensive review addressing the main groups of molecules present in plant extracts and essential oils, their extraction capacity, and available methodologies for their characterization. Moreover, we highlighted the potential of these plant products in the synthesis of different metallic nanomaterials and their antimicrobial capacity. Furthermore, we correlated the extract’s role in antimicrobial activity, considering the potential synergy between molecules from the plant product and the different metallic forms associated with nanomaterials.

Bioactive Compounds in Extracts from the Agro-Industrial Waste of Mango

Mango by-products are important sources of bioactive compounds generated by agro-industrial process. During mango processing, 35-60% of the fruit is discarded, in many cases without treatment, generating environmental problems and economic losses. These wastes are constituted by peels and seeds (tegument and kernel). The aim of this review was to describe the extraction, identification, and quantification of bioactive compounds, as well as their potential applications, published in the last ten years. The main bioactive compounds in mango by-products are polyphenols and carotenoids, among others. Polyphenols are known for their high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Carotenoids show provitamin A and antioxidant activity. Among the mango by-products, the kernel has been studied more than tegument and peels because of the proportion and composition. The kernel represents 45-85% of the seed. The main bioactive components reported for the kernel are gallic, caffeic, cinnamic, tannic, and chlorogenic acids; methyl and ethyl gallates; mangiferin, rutin, hesperidin, and gallotannins; and penta-O-galloyl-glucoside and rhamnetin-3-[6-2-butenoil-hexoside]. Meanwhile, gallic acid, ferulic acid, and catechin are reported for mango peel. Although most of the reports are at the laboratory level, they include potential applications in the fields of food, active packaging, oil and fat, and pharmaceutics. At the market level, two trends will stimulate the industrial production of bioactive compounds from mango by-products: the increasing demand for industrialized fruit products (that will increase the by-products) and the increase in the consumption of bioactive ingredients.

A Scoping Review on the Effects of Carotenoids and Flavonoids on Skin Damage Due to Ultraviolet Radiation

Skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays in the sun causes premature ageing and may predispose to skin cancers. UV radiation generates excessive free radical species, resulting in oxidative stress, which is responsible for cellular and DNA damage. There is growing evidence that phytonutrients such as flavonoids and carotenoids may impede oxidative stress and prevent photodamage. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to explore the effects of certain phytonutrients in preventing skin photodamage. We searched the electronic Medline (Ovid) and Pubmed databases for relevant studies published between 2002 and 2022. The main inclusion criteria were articles written in English, and studies reporting the effects of phytonutrient-containing plants of interest on the skin or skin cells exposed to UV radiation. We focused on tea, blueberries, lemon, carrot, tomato, and grapes, which are rich in flavonoids and/or carotenoids. Out of 434 articles retrieved, 40 were identified as potentially relevant. Based on our inclusion criteria, nine articles were included in the review. The review comprises three combined in vitro and animal studies, four human studies, one in vitro research, and one mixed in vitro and human study. All the studies reported positive effects of flavonoids and carotenoid-containing plant extract on UV-induced skin damage. This evidence-based review highlights the potential use of flavonoids and carotenoids found in plants in preventing the deleterious effects of UV radiation on the skin. These compounds may have a role in clinical and aesthetic applications for the prevention and treatment of sunburn and photoaging, and may potentially be used against UV-related skin cancers.

Raman Spectroscopy of Carotenoid Compounds for Clinical Applications-A Review

Carotenoid compounds are ubiquitous in nature, providing the characteristic colouring of many algae, bacteria, fruits and vegetables. They are a critical component of the human diet and play a key role in human nutrition, health and disease. Therefore, the clinical importance of qualitative and quantitative carotene content analysis is increasingly recognised. In this review, the structural and optical properties of carotenoid compounds are reviewed, differentiating between those of carotenes and xanthophylls. The strong non-resonant and resonant Raman spectroscopic signatures of carotenoids are described, and advances in the use of Raman spectroscopy to identify carotenoids in biological environments are reviewed. Focus is drawn to applications in nutritional analysis, optometry and serology, based on in vitro and ex vivo measurements in skin, retina and blood, and progress towards establishing the technique in a clinical environment, as well as challenges and future perspectives, are explored.

Biochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Various Population of Brassica tournefortii Growing Wild in Tunisia

Brassica tournefortii Gouan, commonly known (Aslooz) in Tunisia, is an annual plant, native to the North Africa and Middle East. Brassica species are used as food, their young leaves can be cooked, providing nutrients and health-giving phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds, polyphenols and carotenoids. Phytochemical composition and bioactivity of Brassica tournefortii leaf extracts, collected from four different bioclimatic zones in Tunisia, are investigated in the present study. Results showed that location and climatic variations can alter the phytochemical composition of B. tournefortii. Interestingly, HPLC analysis enabled identifying lutein and beta-carotene at high concentrations, especially in extracts of B. tournefortii collected from Gabes (B2) (344 µg/g of lutein) and B. tournefortii collected from Zarzis (B3) (1364 µg/g of beta-carotene). In particular, the antioxidant activity measured by DPPH assay showed that the extract of the plants collected from the growing region of Zarzis exhibits the highest antioxidant activities (0.99 mg/mL). All the Brassica tournefortii extracts showed a relevant antiproliferative activity, especially toward the Caco-2 cell line. These preliminary data resulted in being useful to correlate growth environmental conditions with different accumulation of metabolites in Brassica species still being poorly studied.

Factors determining the oral absorption and systemic disposition of zeaxanthin in rats: in vitro, in situ, and in vivo evaluations

CONTEXT

Zeaxanthin is a yellow‑coloured dietary carotenoid widely recognized as an essential component of the macula. It exerts blue light filtering and antioxidant activities, offering eye health and vision benefits.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the oral absorption and systemic disposition of zeaxanthin from biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic perspectives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vivo intravenous (5 and 10 mg/kg) and intraportal (5 mg/kg) pharmacokinetic studies were performed to determine intrinsic tissue‑blood partition coefficient, elimination pathway, and hepatic clearance, of zeaxanthin in rats. Moreover, in vitro physicochemical property test, in situ closed loop study, in vivo oral pharmacokinetic study (20 and 100 mg/kg), and in vivo lymphatic absorption study (100 mg/kg) were conducted to investigate the gut absorption properties of zeaxanthin and assess the effects of several lipids on the lymphatic absorption of zeaxanthin in rats.

RESULTS

Zeaxanthin exhibited poor solubility (≤144 ng/mL) and stability (6.0-76.9% of the initial amount remained at 24 h) in simulated gut luminal fluids. Gut absorption of zeaxanthin occurred primarily in the duodenum, but the major fraction (≥84.7%) of the dose remained unabsorbed across the entire gut tract. Considerable fractions of intravenous zeaxanthin accumulated in the liver, lung, and spleen (21.3, 11.7, and 2.0%, respectively). It was found that the liver is the major eliminating organ of zeaxanthin, accounting for 53.5-90.1% of the total clearance process (hepatic extraction ratio of 0.623).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first systematic study to report factors that determine the oral bioavailability and systemic clearance of zeaxanthin.

Quantitative Raman Analysis of Carotenoid Protein Complexes in Aqueous Solution

Carotenoids are naturally abundant, fat-soluble pigmented compounds with dietary, antioxidant and vision protection advantages. The dietary carotenoids, Beta Carotene, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin, complexed with in bovine serum albumin (BSA) in aqueous solution, were explored using Raman spectroscopy to differentiate and quantify their spectral signatures. UV visible absorption spectroscopy was employed to confirm the linearity of responses over the concentration range employed (0.05–1 mg/mL) and, of the 4 Raman source wavelengths (785 nm, 660 nm, 532 nm, 473 nm), 532 nm was chosen to provide the optimal response. After preprocessing to remove water and BSA contributions, and correct for self-absorption, a partial least squares model with R2 of 0.9995, resulted in an accuracy of the Root Mean Squared Error of Prediction for Beta Carotene of 0.0032 mg/mL and Limit of Detection 0.0106 mg/mL. Principal Components Analysis clearly differentiated solutions of the three carotenoids, based primarily on small shifts of the main peak at ~1520 cm−1. Least squares fitting analysis of the spectra of admixtures of the carotenoid:protein complexes showed reasonable correlation between norminal% and fitted%, yielding 100% contribution when fitted with individual carotenoid complexes and variable contributions with multiple ratios of admixtures. The results indicate the technique can potentially be used to quantify the carotenoid content of human serum and to identify their differential contributions for application in clinical analysis.

Astaxanthin from Crustaceans and Their Byproducts: A Bioactive Metabolite Candidate for Therapeutic Application

In recent years, the food, pharma, and cosmetic industries have shown considerable interest in bioactive molecules of marine origin that show high potential for application as nutraceuticals and therapeutic agents. Astaxanthin, a lipid-soluble and orange-reddish-colored carotenoid pigment, is one of the most investigated pigments. Natural astaxanthin is mainly produced from microalgae, and it shows much stronger antioxidant properties than its synthetic counterpart. This paper aims to summarize and discuss the important aspects and recent findings associated with the possible use of crustacean byproducts as a source of astaxanthin. In the last five years of research on the crustaceans and their byproducts as a source of natural astaxanthin, there are many new findings regarding the astaxanthin content in different species and new green extraction protocols for its extraction. However, there is a lack of information on the amounts of astaxanthin currently obtained from the byproducts as well as on the cost-effectiveness of the astaxanthin production from the byproducts. Improvement in these areas would most certainly contribute to the reduction of waste and reuse in the crustacean processing industry. Successful exploitation of byproducts for recovery of this valuable compound would have both environmental and social benefits. Finally, astaxanthin’s strong biological activity and prominent health benefits have been discussed in the paper.

Biotechnological advances for improving natural pigment production: a state-of-the-art review

In current years, natural pigments are facing a fast-growing global market due to the increase of people's awareness of health and the discovery of novel pharmacological effects of various natural pigments, e.g., carotenoids, flavonoids, and curcuminoids. However, the traditional production approaches are source-dependent and generally subject to the low contents of target pigment compounds. In order to scale-up industrial production, many efforts have been devoted to increasing pigment production from natural producers, via development of both in vitro plant cell/tissue culture systems, as well as optimization of microbial cultivation approaches. Moreover, synthetic biology has opened the door for heterologous biosynthesis of pigments via design and re-construction of novel biological modules as well as biological systems in bio-platforms. In this review, the innovative methods and strategies for optimization and engineering of both native and heterologous producers of natural pigments are comprehensively summarized. Current progress in the production of several representative high-value natural pigments is also presented; and the remaining challenges and future perspectives are discussed.

Carotenoids: Therapeutic Strategy in the Battle against Viral Emerging Diseases, COVID-19: An Overview

Carotenoids, a group of phytochemicals, are naturally found in the Plant kingdom, particularly in fruits, vegetables, and algae. There are more than 600 types of carotenoids, some of which are thought to prevent disease, mainly through their antioxidant properties. Carotenoids exhibit several biological and pharmaceutical benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immunity booster properties, particularly as some carotenoids can be converted into vitamin A in the body. However, humans cannot synthesize carotenoids and need to obtain them from their diets or via supplementation. The emerging zoonotic virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), originated in bats, and was transmitted to humans. COVID-19 continues to cause devastating international health problems worldwide. Therefore, natural preventive therapeutic strategies from bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, should be appraised for strengthening physiological functions against emerging viruses. This review summarizes the most important carotenoids for human health and enhancing immunity, and their potential role in COVID-19 and its related symptoms. In conclusion, promising roles of carotenoids as treatments against emerging disease and related symptoms are highlighted, most of which have been heavily premeditated in studies conducted on several viral infections, including COVID-19. Further in vitro and in vivo research is required before carotenoids can be considered as potent drugs against such emerging diseases.

Synthetic Retinoids as Potential Therapeutics in Prostate Cancer-An Update of the Last Decade of Research: A Review

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common tumor in males. The search for appropriate therapeutic options against advanced PC has been in process for several decades. Especially after cessation of the effectiveness of hormonal therapy (i.e., emergence of castration-resistant PC), PC management options have become scarce and the prognosis is poor. To overcome this stage of disease, an array of natural and synthetic substances underwent investigation. An interesting and promising class of compounds constitutes the derivatives of natural retinoids. Synthesized on the basis of the structure of retinoic acid, they present unique and remarkable properties that warrant their investigation as antitumor drugs. However, there is no up-to-date compilation that consecutively summarizes the current state of knowledge about synthetic retinoids with regard to PC. Therefore, in this review, we present the results of the experimental studies on synthetic retinoids conducted within the last decade. Our primary aim is to highlight the molecular targets of these compounds and to identify their potential promise in the treatment of PC.

Lutein Treatment Effects on the Redox Status and Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in Oral Cancer Squamous Cells-Are There Therapeutical Hopes?

Carotenoids loaded in nanoparticles should be regarded as a promising way to increase the availability in healthy cells and to induce apoptosis in cancer. Lutein is a carotenoid that, in contrast to beta-carotene, has no known toxicities. Oral cancer represents one of the most frequent types of cancer world-wide with an incidence rate of about 9% of all types of cancer. Almost 95% of all oral cancers are represented by squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). The aim of this study was to review and analyse the effects of lutein and Poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) Nps containing lutein (Lut Nps) on oxidative stress biomarkers (OXSR-1, FOXO-3, TAC) and collagen degradation biomarker-MMP-9, in human cells BICR10 of buccal mucosa squamous carcinoma. Lut Nps were prepared by the emulsion-solvent evaporation method. MMP, OXSR-1, TAC, FOXO-3 and MMP-9 were measured in tumour cell lysates by the ELISA technique. Our results have shown that in Lut 100 cells and Lut Nps the OXSR1 (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and TAC (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) values were significantly higher than in control cells. The Lut 100 and Lut Nps FOXO-3 levels revealed no significant differences versus the control. MMP-9 levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in the Lut Nps cells versus control cells. In our study conditions, lutein and lutein Nps did not trigger an oxidative stress by ROS induction. However, lutein Nps treatment seemed to have a positive effect, by downregulating the MMP-9 levels. Loaded in Nps, lutein could be regarded as a protective factor against local invasiveness, in whose molecular landscape MMPs, and especially MMP-9 are the main actors.

Extraction of capsanthin from Capsicum annum L fruits and its effect on carbomer-induced intraocular pressure in Albino Wistar rats

The present study was aimed to explore the antiglaucoma activity of capsanthin enriched fraction (CEF) of Capsicum annum L fruits against carbomer-induced experimental glaucoma in Albino Wistar rats. CEF was orally administered to carbomer-induced glaucomatous rats, and pilocarpine 2% eye drops were used as a standard drug. Intraocular pressure (IOP) levels were determined after oral administration of a low, medium, and a high dose of CEF (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg bwt) in glaucomatous rats. In rats with elevated IOP in both eyes, oral administration of CEF resulted in a significant reduction in IOP (p < .05) even at a low dose of 20 mg/Kg body weight. There were no treatment-related changes in histopathology, hematology, and clinical chemistry parameters. Thus, CEF when administered orally in IOP-bearing rats successfully reduced IOP without any adverse effects. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Capsanthin enriched fraction can be used to prevent permanent vision loss due to age-related macular diseases and high intraocular pressure. The intraocular pressure reduction action of capsanthin can be useful in the treatment of glaucoma. The medication available to treat glaucoma are topical drugs, and for the first time, we proved the oral supplementation of capsanthin from a food source can reduce the intraocular pressure in rats.

Recent Progress in Discovering the Role of Carotenoids and Their Metabolites in Prostatic Physiology and Pathology with a Focus on Prostate Cancer-A Review-Part I: Molecular Mechanisms of Carotenoid Action

Among the vast variety of plant-derived phytochemicals, the group of carotenoids has continuously been investigated in order to optimize their potential application in the area of dietary intervention and medicine. One organ which has been especially targeted in many of these studies and clinical trials is the human prostate. Without doubt, carotenoids (and their endogenous derivatives—retinoids and other apo-carotenoids) are involved in intra- and intercellular signaling, cell growth and differentiation of prostate tissue. Due to the accumulation of new data on the role of different carotenoids such as lycopene (LC) and β-carotene (BC) in prostatic physiology and pathology, the present review aims to cover the past ten years of research in this area. Data from experimental studies are presented in the first part of the review, while epidemiological studies are disclosed and discussed in the second part. The objective of this compilation is to emphasize the present state of knowledge regarding the most potent molecular targets of carotenoids and their main metabolites, as well as to propose promising carotenoid agents for the prevention and treatment of prostatic diseases.

The genus Sphingopyxis: Systematics, ecology, and bioremediation potential - A review

The genus Sphingopyxis was first reported in the year 2001. Phylogenetically, Sphingopyxis is well delineated from other genera Sphingobium, Sphingomonas and Novosphingobium of sphingomonads group, family Sphingomonadaceae of Proteobacteria. To date (at the time of writing), the genus Sphingopyxis comprises of twenty validly published species available in List of Prokaryotic Names with Standing in Nomenclature. Sphingopyxis spp. have been isolated from diverse niches including, agricultural soil, marine and fresh water, caves, activated sludge, thermal spring, oil and pesticide contaminated soil, and heavy metal contaminated sites. Sphingopyxis species have drawn considerable attention not only for their ability to survive under extreme environments, but also for their potential to degrade number of xenobiotics and other environmental contaminants that impose serious threat to human health. At present, genome sequence of both cultivable and non-cultivable strains (metagenome assembled genome) are available in the public databases (NCBI) and genome wide studies confirms the presence of mobile genetic elements and plethora of degradation genes and pathways making them a potential candidate for bioremediation. Beside genome wide predictions there are number of experimental evidences confirm the degradation potential of bacteria belonging to genus Sphingopyxis and also the production of different secondary metabolites that help them interact and survive in their ecological niches. This review provides detailed information on ecology, general characteristic and the significant implications of Sphingopyxis species in environmental management along with the bio-synthetic potential.

Carotenoids in Cancer Metastasis-Status Quo and Outlook

Metastasis represents a major obstacle in cancer treatment and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Therefore, the identification of compounds targeting the multi-step and complex process of metastasis could improve outcomes in the management of cancer patients. Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments with a plethora of biological activities. Carotenoids exert a potent anti-cancer capacity in various cancer models in vitro and in vivo, mediated by the modulation of signaling pathways involved in the migration and invasion of cancer cells and metastatic progression, including key regulators of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and regulatory molecules, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and others. Moreover, carotenoids modulate the expression of genes associated with cancer progression and inflammatory processes as key mediators of the complex process involved in metastasis. Nevertheless, due to the predominantly preclinical nature of the known anti-tumor effects of carotenoids, and unclear results from certain carotenoids in specific cancer types and/or specific parts of the population, a precise analysis of the anti-cancer effects of carotenoids is essential. The identification of carotenoids as effective compounds targeting the complex process of cancer progression could improve the outcomes of advanced cancer patients.

Physicochemical properties and bioavailability of naturally formulated fat-soluble vitamins extracted from agricultural products for complementary use for natural vitamin supplements

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties, digestive stability, storage stability, and intestinal absorption of formulated natural vitamins (FNV) by mixing fat-soluble vitamins extracted from agricultural products with their synthetic vitamin (SYNV) counterparts using a 6 to 4 ratio (w:w, dry weight). The FNV A, D, E, and K were evenly dispersed without crystal growth in the dispersion specifications for the functional tablet foods. The FNV A, D, E, and K had 89, 73, 65, and 36% of the digestive recovery, respectively, which was comparable to that of the SYNV. FNV D, E, and K were retained over 77%, but rapidly decreased to 15% after 6 months during accelerated storage at 25 30 and 35℃. The comparable radical scavenging capacity was found between the FNV and the SYNV. Results from the current study suggest that fat-soluble vitamins extracted from agricultural products could be reasonable complementary use for natural vitamin supplements.

Carotenoids in Cancer Apoptosis-The Road from Bench to Bedside and Back

An incidence and mortality of cancer are rapidly growing worldwide, especially due to heterogeneous character of the disease that is associated with irreversible impairment of cellular homeostasis and function. Targeting apoptosis, one of cancer hallmarks, represents a potent cancer treatment strategy. Carotenoids are phytochemicals represented by carotenes, xanthophylls, and derived compounds such as apocarotenoids that demonstrate a broad spectrum of anti-cancer effects involving pro-apoptotic signaling through extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. As demonstrated in preclinical oncology research, the apoptotic modulation is performed at post-genomic levels. Further, carotenoids demonstrate additive/synergistic action in combination with conventional oncostatic agents. In addition, a sensitization of tumor cells to anti-cancer conventional treatment can be achieved by carotenoids. The disadvantage of anti-cancer application of carotenoids is associated with their low solubility and, therefore, poor bioavailability. However, this deficiency can be improved by using nanotechnological approaches, solid dispersions, microemulsions or biofortification that significantly increase the anti-cancer and pro-apoptotic efficacy of carotenoids. Only limited number of studies dealing with apoptotic potential of carotenoids has been published in clinical sphere. Pro-apoptotic effects of carotenoids should be beneficial for individuals at high risk of cancer development. The article considers the utility of carotenoids in the framework of 3P medicine.

Recent Advances in Polymer Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery of Adjuvants in Colorectal Cancer Treatment: A Scientific-Technological Analysis and Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the type with the second highest morbidity. Recently, a great number of bioactive compounds and encapsulation techniques have been developed. Thus, this paper aims to review the drug delivery strategies for chemotherapy adjuvant treatments for CRC, including an initial scientific-technological analysis of the papers and patents related to cancer, CRC, and adjuvant treatments. For 2018, a total of 167,366 cancer-related papers and 306,240 patents were found. Adjuvant treatments represented 39.3% of the total CRC patents, indicating the importance of adjuvants in the prognosis of patients. Chemotherapy adjuvants can be divided into two groups, natural and synthetic (5-fluorouracil and derivatives). Both groups can be encapsulated using polymers. Polymer-based drug delivery systems can be classified according to polymer nature. From those, anionic polymers have garnered the most attention, because they are pH responsive. The use of polymers tailors the desorption profile, improving drug bioavailability and enhancing the local treatment of CRC via oral administration. Finally, it can be concluded that antioxidants are emerging compounds that can complement today's chemotherapy treatments. In the long term, encapsulated antioxidants will replace synthetic drugs and will play an important role in curing CRC.

Carotenoids of Capsicum Fruits: Pigment Profile and Health-Promoting Functional Attributes

Pepper of the Capsicum species is a common ingredient in various food preparations by different cultures worldwide. The Capsicum is recognised by its five main domesticated species, namely Capsicum annuum, C. baccatum, C. chinense, C. frutescens and C. pubescens. The genetic diversity in Capsicum offers fruits in wide ranges of morphology and carotenoid profile. Carotenoids enhance the value of pepper from a nutritional standpoint, despite being commonly prized for the pharmacologically active pungent capsaicinoids. Carotenoids of pepper comprise mainly of the unique, powerful and highly stable capsanthin and capsoroubin, together with β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin and violaxanthin. These carotenoids are present at diverse profile and varying levels, biosynthetically connected to the fruit maturity stages. This review describes the health-promoting functional attributes of the carotenoids that are mainly associated with their excellent role as lipophilic antioxidants. Capsicum as a great source of carotenoids is discussed in the aspects of main domesticated species, biosynthesis, pigment profile, antioxidant activity and safety. Findings from a number of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies provided appreciable evidence on the protective effects of pepper’s carotenoids against degenerative diseases. Hence, pepper with its functional carotenoids might be recommended in health-promoting and disease preventing strategies.

Zeaxanthin: Metabolism, Properties, and Antioxidant Protection of Eyes, Heart, Liver, and Skin

Zeaxanthin, a non-provitamin A carotenoid that belongs to the xanthophyll family, has been less studied than its isomer lutein. However, zeaxanthin has also been shown to have a number of beneficial effects for human health due to its ability to quench free radicals, exert antioxidant effects, as well as decrease inflammation. It is the purpose of this review to discuss the metabolism of zeaxanthin, including digestion, absorption, transport, and uptake by tissues, as well as the dietary or other factors which affect zeaxanthin bioavailability. In addition, this review also focuses on specific effects of this carotenoid on eye, skin, liver, and cardiovascular health. Data derived from human interventions, animal models of research, and in vitro and cell studies are discussed in this review.

Fruit-based juices: Focus on antioxidant properties-Study approach and update

This paper proposes a perspective literature review of the antioxidant properties in fruit-based juices. The total antioxidant properties due to compounds such as carotenoids, polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins as well as the assessment of interactions between natural active compounds and other food matrix components can be seen as the first step in the study of potential health benefits of fruit-based juices. A brief summary is given on the significance of antioxidant properties of fruit juices, the conventional methods for antioxidant activity evaluation, and on the newly emerged sample analysis and data interpretation strategies, that is, chemometric analysis based on spectroscopic data. The effect of fruit processing techniques and the addition of ingredients on the antioxidant properties of fruit-based juices are also discussed.

Citrus carotenoid isomerase gene characterization by complementation of the "Micro-Tom" tangerine mutant

Complementation of the "Micro-Tom" tomato tangerine mutant with a Citrus CRTISO allele restores the wild-type fruit carotenoid profile, indicating that the Citrus allele encodes an authentic functional carotenoid isomerase. Citrus fruits are rich in carotenoids; the genus offers a large diversity in composition, yet to be fully explored to improve fruit nutritional quality. As perennial tree species, Citrus lack the resources for functional genetic studies, requiring the use of model plant systems. Here, we used the "Micro-Tom" (MT) tomato carrying the tangerine mutation (t), deficient for the carotenoid isomerase (CRTISO) gene, to functionally characterize the homologous C. sinensis genes. We identified four putative loci in the C. sinensis genome, named CsCRTISO, CsCRTISO-Like 1, CsCRTISO-Like 2, and CsCRTISO-Like 2B, with the latter as a presumed duplication of CRTISO-Like 2. In general, all the Citrus paralogs showed less expression specialization than the tomato ones, with CsCRTISO being the most expressed gene in all tissues analyzed. MT-t plants were successfully complemented with the CsCRTISO, and fruits showed a carotenoid profile similar to the control, indicating that the Citrus allele indeed encodes an authentic functional carotenoid isomerase and that the signal peptide is functional in tomato. MT was silenced using an inverted repeat of a fragment from the Citrus CRTISO resulting in a stronger phenotype than MT-t. MT-t and MT silenced for CRTISO presented an overall decrease in transcript accumulation of all genes from the biosynthesis pathway. The expression of the Citrus CRTISO gene is able to restore the biosynthesis of carotenoids with the appropriate regulation in MT-t. The decrease in transcript accumulation in MT-t and MT-CRTISO-suppressed lines reinforces previous suggestions that transcriptional regulation of the carotenoid biosynthesis involves regulatory loops by intermediate products.

Effect of Natural Food Antioxidants against LDL and DNA Oxidative Changes

Radical oxygen species formed in human tissue cells by many endogenous and exogenous pathways cause extensive oxidative damage which has been linked to various human diseases. This review paper provides an overview of lipid peroxidation and focuses on the free radicals-initiated processes of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidative modification and DNA oxidative damage, which are widely associated with the initiation and development of atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis, respectively. The article subsequently provides an overview of the recent human trials or even in vitro investigations on the potential of natural antioxidant compounds (such as carotenoids; vitamins C and E) to monitor LDL and DNA oxidative changes.

Carotenoids: From Plants to Food and Feed Industries

In this review, carotenoids from plants are described, and their natural existence is addressed. Carotenoids are 40-carbon isoprenoid molecules that produce the red, yellow, and orange pigmentation found in nature. Various plants, microalgae, bacteria, and fungi are natural sources of carotenoids and are presented in detail. The chemistry of carotenoids and their classification is also described along with the effect of carotenoids on human health which is explained with focus on lutein-zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, capsanthin, and lycopene. Clinical studies suggest that carotenoid consumption is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and eye disease. Finally, another issue discussed is the role of carotenoids in animals and their feed with focus on birds, fish and crustaceans, livestock, and poultry.

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of a Novel Borneol-Based Polyester

Terpenes are a class of natural compounds that have recently moved into the focus as a bio-based resource for chemical production, owing to their abundance, their mostly cyclic structures, and the presence of olefin or single hydroxy groups. To apply this raw material in new industrial fields, a second hydroxy group is inserted into borneol by cytochrome P450cam (CYP101) enzymes in a whole-cell catalytic biotransformation with Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Next, a semi-continuous batch system was developed to produce 5-exo-hydroxyborneol with a final concentration of 0.54 g L^-1 . The bifunctional terpene was then used for the synthesis of a bio-based polyester by a solvent-free polycondensation reaction. The resulting polymer showed a glass transition temperature of around 70 °C and a molecular weight in the range of 2000-4000 g mol^-1 (M_w ). These results show that whole-cell catalytic biotransformation of terpenes could lead to bio-based, higher-functionalized monomers, which might be basic raw materials for different fields of application, such as biopolymers.

Citrus fruits freshness assessment using Raman spectroscopy

The freshness of citrus fruits commonly available in the market was non-destructively assessed by Raman spectroscopy. Intact clementine, mandarin and tangerine species were characterised concerning their carotenoids skin Raman signalling in a time course from the moment they were acquired as fresh stock, supplying the market, to the physical degradation, when they were no longer attractive to consumers. The freshness was found to strongly correlate to the peel Raman signal collected from the same area of the intact fruits in a time course of a maximum of 20days. We have shown that the intensity of the carotenoid Raman signal is indeed a good indicator of fruit freshness and introduced a Raman coefficient of freshness (C_Fresh), whose time course is linearly decreasing, with different slope for different citrus groups. Additionally, we demonstrated that the freshness assessment could be achieved using a portable Raman instrument. The results could have a strong impact for consumer satisfaction and the food industry.

Effect of Sea-Buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) Pulp Oil Consumption on Fatty Acids and Vitamin A and E Accumulation in Adipose Tissue and Liver of Rats

An in vivo experiment was conducted to determine the effect of sea-buckthorn pulp oil feeding on the fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue of Wistar rats and the liver accumulation of retinol, its esters and α-tocopherol. For a period of 28 days, rats were given a modified casein diet (AIN-93) in which sea-buckthorn pulp oil, soybean oil and pork lard were used as sources of fat. Compared to the other fat sources, sea-buckthorn pulp oil was the most abundant in C16 fatty acids, carotenoids (mainly β-carotene) and tocopherols (mainly α-tocopherol). Its consumption was reflected in an increased share of palmitoleic acid in adipose tissue and the liver and an increased level of retinol in liver tissues (this was not observed for its esters). Although the type of fat did not have a significant effect on the average content of α-tocopherol in the liver, the variation of saturation of this tissue with α-tocopherol was the lowest when rats were fed a diet containing sea-buckthorn oil. This experiment indicates the possibility of affecting adipose tissue and liver by a diet.

Natural Colorants: Historical, Processing and Sustainable Prospects

With the public's mature demand in recent times pressurized the textile industry for use of natural colorants, without any harmful effects on environment and aquatic ecosystem, and with more developed functionalities simultaneously. Advanced developments for the natural bio-resources and their sustainable use for multifunctional clothing are gaining pace now. Present review highlights historical overview of natural colorants, classification and predominantly processing of colorants from sources, application on textiles surfaces with the functionalities provided by them. Chemistry of natural colorants on textiles also discussed with relevance to adsorption isotherms and kinetic models for dyeing of textiles.

Ability of Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B for high added value carotenoids production

Currently, carotenoids are valuable bioactive molecules for several industries, such as chemical, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics, due to their multiple benefits as natural colorants, antioxidants and vitamin precursors.