In the Lower Grand Coulee, Washington, Diaptomus nevadensis in Soap Lake contains larger amounts of the carotenoid astaxanthin than in Lake Lenore. During winter, Diaptomus sicilis contains larger amounts of pigment in both lakes, but in summer individuals from Lake Lenore are much reduced in pigment while those from Soap Lake are unchanged. The amount of astaxanthin might be a reflection of th...

Carotenoids are valuable pigments of commercial interest for various health benefits. There is rising demand for natural carotenoids from microorganisms, although the majority of industrially produced carotenoids are currently chemically synthesized. Rhodosporidium toruloides is oleaginous red yeast, which can produce large amounts of carotenoids and lipids simultaneously. It is also able to as...

Carotenoids are pigments which play a major role in the protection of plants against photooxidative processes. They are efficient antioxidants scavenging singlet molecular oxygen and peroxyl radicals. In the human organism, carotenoids are part of the antioxidant defense system. They interact synergistically with other antioxidants; mixtures of carotenoids are more effective than single compoun...

There are two major dietary sources of vitamin A: easily absorbed retinyl palmitate in foods of animal origin, and poorly bioavailable carotenoids from plant foods. Plasma retinol is tightly controlled, probably by regulation of retinol-binding protein (RBP) formation in the liver, and only hormonal factors (e.g. oral contraceptives) and infection will alter the homeostasis. Delivery of retinol...

Vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient for humans, may be provided in the diet either as preformed vitamin A or as provitamin A carotenoids. The bioavailability of carotenoids in foods varies greatly, depending on many factors. Carotenoids are emulsified and then are solubilized in micellar form within the intestine with an absolute requirement for conjugated bile salts. Dietary carotenoids ...

A listing of carotenoids with heteroatoms (X = F, Cl, Br, I, Si, N, S, Se, Fe) directly attached to the carotenoid carbon skeleton has been compiled. The 178 listed carotenoids with C, H, X atoms demonstrate that the classical division of carotenoids into hydrocarbon carotenoids (C, H) and xanthophylls (C, H, O) has become obsolete.