In order to elucidate the regulation mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis in apricot fruit (Prunus armeniaca), carotenoid content and carotenogenic gene expression were analysed as a function of ethylene production in two colour-contrasted apricot varieties. Fruits from Goldrich (GO) were orange, while Moniqui (MO) fruits were white. Biochemical analysis showed that GO accumulated precursors o...

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term storage on the carotenoid pigments present in whole-grain flours prepared from durum wheat and tritordeum. As expected, higher storage temperatures showed a catabolic effect, which was very marked for free carotenoid pigments. Surprisingly, for both cereal genotypes, the thermal conditions favoured the synthesis of lutein esters, lead...

INTRODUCTION Antioxidants are health beneficial compounds that can protect cells and macromolecules from the damage of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aims of this study were to compare the total antioxidant and carotenoid production in R. Slooffiae and R. Mucilaginosa. METHODS To isolate the carotenoid pigment, cells were suspended in acetone and broken using a homogenizer, followed by ce...

The most striking feature of Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) is the red abdomen area during the mating season. This colouration is assumed to be related to the vitality, nutritional status, foraging ability and generally health of the fish – an important knowledge to fisheries and researchers. The colouration should be assessed numerically, and the amount of pigment (carotenoid) causing th...

Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.), babaçu (Orbignya phalerata Mart.), buriti (Mauritia flexuosa), and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) oils were studied to determine their antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, as well as their total phenol and carotenoid contents. The fatty acid contents were determined by GC-MS. The three types of passion fruit oils studied were refined, cold ...

Planococcus maritimus MKU009 is a Gram positive cocci and a moderate halophilic bacterium isolated from marine water of Pichavaram, South East Coast of India. Here we report the draft genome of Planococcus maritimus MKU009 with a total size of 3,251,644 bp with N50 value of 1681571 bp. The overall G+C content of the genome was 47.27%. The carotenoid producing crtN, crtB, crtP and crtI genes wer...

BACKGROUND Since carotenoids have physiological functions necessary for maintaining health, individuals should be selected to actively seek and develop a specific appetite for these compounds. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Great tits Parus major in a diet choice experiment, both in captivity and the field, preferred carotenoid-enriched diets to control diets. The food items did not differ in...

Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were pretreated with low-dose, oral beta carotene to determine whether the carotenoid content of plaque could be increased in vivo. Beta carotene-treated patients had a 50-fold increase in their plaque beta carotene level from 0.066 to 3.3 micrograms beta carotene/g plaque. Microscopy and microspectrophotometry demonstrated that plaque from beta carote...

Vitamin A deficiency is a serious global health problem that can be alleviated by improved nutrition. Development of cereal crops with increased provitamin A carotenoids can provide a sustainable solution to eliminating vitamin A deficiency worldwide. Maize is a model for cereals and a major staple carbohydrate source. Here, we discuss maize carotenogenesis with regard to pathway regulation, av...