Lycopene cyclases cyclize the open ends of acyclic lycopene (ψ,ψ-carotene) into β- or ε-ionone rings in the crucial bifurcation step of carotenoid biosynthesis. Among all carotenoid constituents, β-carotene (β,β-carotene) is found in all photosynthetic organisms, except for purple bacteria and heliobacteria, suggesting a ubiquitous distribution of lycopene β-cyclase activity in these organisms....

Soy isoflavones, genistein, daidzein and its metabolite equol, as well as β-carotene have been reported to be effective for maintaining bone health. However, it remains to be elucidated whether combining soy isoflavones with β-carotene is beneficial to bone formation. This study investigated the combined effect of soy isoflavones and β-carotene on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblastic...

Since the food matrix determines β-carotene availability for intestinal absorption, food matrix effects on the bioaccessibility of β-carotene from two diets were investigated in vitro and compared with in vivo data. The "mixed diet" consisted of β-carotene-rich vegetables, and the "oil diet" contained β-carotene-low vegetables with supplemental β-carotene. The application of extrinsically label...

ß -carotene is a human nutrient found in plants or animals. It is also can be synthesized chemically. It is lipid-soluble, and is yellow, orange or red in color. ß-Carotene can be cleaved into vitamin A in vivo. The most abundant form of ß-carotene in human serum is trans isomer; cis isomers such as 9-cis ß-carotene, 13-cis ß-carotene, and 15-cis ß-carotene are only present in trace amounts. ß-...

Animal studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary spice compounds, piperine, capsaicin and ginger, on the absorption of orally administered β-carotene and its conversion to vitamin A. In rats maintained on these spice-containing diets for 8 weeks, concentrations of β-carotene and retinol were determined in the serum, liver and intestine 4 h after a single oral administration of...

In the course of an investigation of oxidized flavor in milk, it was discovered that four cows were excreting in their feces more carotene ^ than they were consuming. The flavor of the milk from each of these cows was markedly and quickly improved by adding a carotene concentrate ^ to the ration. Since Atkeson and his coworkers (1),^ Fraps and Treichler (Í0), and Moore (18) had already shown th...

Beta-carotene is a terpenoid pigment that is highly valuable due to its nutritional benefit as a precursor of vitamin A and its antioxidant properties. A marine green alga Dunaliella salina is well known for high carotene, with above 95% β-carotene, under growth-limiting conditions. Carotene contents are different among D. salina strains and under different culture conditions. Selecting a Dunal...

Beta-carotene research has progressed rapidly in the past few years. New techniques have allowed accurate measurements of beta-carotene concentrations in plasma, tissues, and diet. New animal models, stable isotope techniques, and human depletion and repletion experiments are leading an explosion in the information about beta-carotene utilization in humans. These advances are leading to a bette...

Biosynthesis, Carotenoids, /?-Carotene, Photosynthesis Two /7-Carotene pools were obtained in the chloroplast. It is concluded that one pool is very small like a-carotene and responsible exclusively for the biosynthesis of /?-ionone-xanthophylls. The other ^-carotene pool is proposed to be the one, that is located close to photosystem I and is involved in photosynthesis as a light protecting ag...

Beta-carotene (ß-carotene) is one of many carotenoids found in nature. In the human nutrition field, evidence suggests that higher blood levels of ß-carotene as well as other carotenoids such as alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and ß-cryptoxanthin may be associated with lower risk of several chronic diseases. ß-carotene, a-carotene, and ß-cryptoxanthin have pro-vitamin A activity, ...