Selected examples of novel types of carotenoids studied in the author's laboratory during the past three years are discussed; including structural elucidation, total synthesis and biosynthetic considerations. Carotenoids of photosynthetic bacteria, particularly the aryl ketone okenone and cross-conjugated carotenals of the rhodopinal series, C50carotenoids of non-photosynthetic bacteria like de...

Studies have demonstrated that phenolic compounds andcarotenoids are essential for prevention of diseases. On the other hand, endogenous ethylene enhances the ripening of fruits and stimulatesthe biosynthesis of carotenoids as well as chlorophylls destruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rootstocks on phenolic compounds andcarotenoids. The contents of individual phenolic...

The association between serum carotenoids and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains uncertain, and little is known about this relationship in the Chinese population. The present study examined the association between serum carotenoid concentrations and the MetS in Chinese adults. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in which 2148 subjects (1547 women and 601 men) aged 50-75 year...

This study determined the effect of light intensity and photoperiod on the dry cell weight and total amount of carotenoids in four isolates of purple non-sulfur bacteria obtained from shaded and exposed microhabitats of a mangrove ecosystem in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The initial isolation of the bacteria was carried out using synthetic 112 medium under anaerobic conditions (2.5 klx) at ...

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rootstocks on fruit sugars, organic acids, and carotenoids. The contents of sugars and organic acids in fruits were determined by HPLC. Total acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and pH value of the juice were also evaluated. Total carotenoids and chlorophylls contents were measured using a spectrophotometer. The content of ethylene in fruits was ...

Carotenoids are biologically active pigments, which are important for animals due to their dual role in health maintenance and ornamental signalling. In adult birds, immunostimulatory properties of carotenoids have been repeatedly demonstrated while much less is known about the importance of carotenoids as antioxidants. We studied the relationships between plasma carotenoid levels, as well as t...

Diets high in fruits and vegetables are generally believed protective against several chronic diseases. One suggested mechanism is a reduction in oxidative stress. The carotenoids, nutrients found in colored fruits and vegetables, possess antioxidant properties in vitro, but their role in humans is less well documented. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationships betw...

Brassica napus (canola) plants were genetically manipulated to increase the amount and composition of carotenoids in seeds by using seven key enzyme genes involved in ketocarotenoid formation, which originated from a soil bacterium Pantoea ananatis (formerly called Erwinia uredovora 20D3), and marine bacteria Brevundimonas sp. strain SD212 and Paracoccus sp. strain N81106 (formerly called Agrob...