Xanthophylls (oxygenated carotenoids) are essential components of the plant photosynthetic apparatus, where they act in photosystem assembly, light harvesting and photoprotection. Nevertheless, the specific function of individual xanthophyll species awaits complete elucidation. In this work we analyze the photosynthetic phenotypes of two newly isolated Arabidopsis mutants in carotenoid biosynth...

Marine bacteria belonging to genera Paracoccus and Brevundimonas of the α-Proteobacteria class can produce C₄₀-type dicyclic carotenoids containing two β-end groups (β rings) that are modified with keto and hydroxyl groups. These bacteria produce astaxanthin, adonixanthin, and their derivatives, which are ketolated by carotenoid β-ring 4(4')-ketolase (4(4')-oxygenase; CrtW) and hydroxylated by ...

Dietary carotenoids, especially xanthophylls, have attracted significant attention because of their characteristic biological activities, including anti-allergic, anti-cancer, and anti-obese actions. Although no less than forty carotenoids are ingested under usual dietary habits, only six carotenoids and their metabolites have been found in human tissues, suggesting selectivity in the intestina...

Pigments were monitored in parsley leaves stored in air, air + 10 ppm GH.,, or 10% O2 + 10% CO2 controlled atmosphere (CA). Chlorophylls a and b, as determined with HPLC, decreased sharply in leaves held in air or air + 10 ppm GH4. The decrease was less in leaves held in 10% O2 and 10% CO2 CA. The oxidized product of chlorophyll a, lo-hydroxychlorophyll a, did not accumulate and chlorophyllide ...

An investigation on fatty acid, triacylglycerol, tocopherol, and xanthophyll contents thermal properties of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) kernel oils from two cultivars was carried out. The main acids were oleic followed by linoleic palmitic acids. predominant triacylglycerols OOL, OOO, OLL (where O stands for oleoyl L linoleoyl). Pecan oil is a rich source tocopherols, mainly γ-tocopherol. Two x...

PURPOSE Macular pigment (MP) is composed of the xanthophylls lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) and may help to prevent age-related macular degeneration or retard its progression. In this study the effects of L or Z supplementation on carotenoid levels was examined in serum, adipose tissue, and retina in rhesus monkeys with no previous intake of xanthophylls. METHODS From birth to 7 to 16 years of...

The xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin, are dietary carotenoids that selectively accumulate in the macula of the eye providing protection against age-related macular degeneration. To reach the macula, carotenoids cross the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Xanthophylls and β-carotene mostly associate with HDL and LDL, respectively. HDL binds to cells via a scavenger receptor class B1 (SR-B1)-d...

Carotenoid compositions of two freshwater Gammarus species (Crustacea: Amphipoda) and of their common acanthocephalan parasite Polymorphus minutus were characterized. The effect of carotenoid uptake by the parasite was addressed by comparing the carotenoid content of uninfected and infected female hosts. Using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), co-chromatography of reference pigments a...