Several antioxidant nutrients have been described to inversely correlate with asthma. In order to quantify the intake of these substances, it is possible to measure skin levels by Raman spectroscopy, a novel non-invasive technique that can also be used in children. This cross-sectional school-based study involved 423 children from a rural area of Thailand. Asthmatic children were diagnosed acco...

Carotenoids cannot be synthesised by vertebrates and must be derived from the diet. A growing amount of research has focussed on the role of carotenoids in immune function, as well as the signalling function of carotenoids in the colour of the integument (skin, bill and legs) and feathers. We used an experimental approach to examine the effects of experimental reduction and supplementation of d...

Recently isolated spore-forming pigmented marine bacteria Bacillus indicus HU36 are sources of oxygenated carotenoids with original structures (about fifteen distinct yellow and orange pigments with acylated d-glucosyl groups). In this study, we evaluated the stability (sensitivity to iron-induced autoxidation) and antioxidant activity (inhibition of iron-induced lipid peroxidation) of combinat...

The production of pigments by halophilic archaea has been analysed during the last half a century. The main reasons that sustains this research are: (i) many haloarchaeal species possess high carotenoids production availability; (ii) downstream processes related to carotenoid isolation from haloarchaea is relatively quick, easy and cheap; (iii) carotenoids production by haloarchaea can be impro...

Carotenoids produce the brilliant red, orange, and yellow colors of many animals. However, melanin pigments can also confer some of these same hues. Because carotenoid and melanin colors are produced in different ways and may serve different signaling functions, either within or between species, it is important to establish whether one or both types of pigment are responsible for coloration. We...

Carotenoids and retinoids are groups of nutritionally-relevant compounds present in many foods of plant origin (carotenoids) and animal origin (mainly retinoids). Their levels in human subjects vary depending on the diversity and amount of the individual’s nutrient intake. Some carotenoids and retinoids have been investigated for their effects on the immune system both in vitro and in vivo. It ...

Vitamin A, or retinol, is an essential nutrient for man and all mammalian species since it cannot be synthesised within the body. Deficiency of the vitamin results in adverse effects on growth, reproduction and resistance to infection. The most important manifestation of severe vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is xerophthalmia, and irreversible blindness may eventually occur in one or both eyes. VAD ...

Carotenoids are one of the main classes of natural pigments and are found in a large number of fruits and vegetables (oranges, tomatoes, carrots) and in leaves where their presence is masked by chlorophylls until autumn. They are also found in some animal products (eggs, milk) and seafoods. Typically, carotenoids contain eight isoprenoid units bonded such that the units are reversed at the cent...

Carotenoids are purported to provide widespread function in the biology and health of humans and other mammalian species. Provitamin A carotenoids, such as b-carotene, are valued in the diet of many mammals for their contribution as precursors of vitamin A and retinoids. Carotenoids may also function in the prevention of some chronic diseases by improving intercellular communication. enhancing ...