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Plants produce chemicals as part of their normal metabolic activities. These include primary metabolites found in all plants, such as sugars and fats, as well as secondary metabolites, which can have therapeutic effects in humans and be refined to produce drugs. Plants synthesize a bewildering variety of phytochemicals, but most are derivatives of a few biochemical motifs. Numerous herbal-derived substances have been evaluated for their therapeutic potential. These include alkaloids, coumarins, saponins, plant pigments and flavonoids. Flavonoids, carotenoids and anthocyanins are probably the best known of these substances due to their antioxidant properties. Carotenoids: Structure and Function in the Human Body presents comprehensive coverage of carotenoids. The text covers the scientific literature and clinical significance of this organic pigment, with an emphasis on its therapeutic potential. The authors approach carotenoids from arange of perspectives, from their structural and physicochemical properties to their distribution in nature, interaction with the human metabolism, and use as a coloring agent in various products. The intake, metabolism and secretion of anthocyanins in the human body are covered in-depth, as are the biosynthetic pathways through which these compounds are synthesized in the natural system. Factors affecting stability and extraction are listed, and health-related uses and biological activities are covered in great detail. Present and future trends in carotenoid research are also presented. This book provides a solid background in carotenoids for researchers and professionals in food science, food technology, nutrition, biology, chemistry and medical sciences.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of carotenoid biosynthesis by different organisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, arthropods, and plants. Carotenoids are thought to provide health benefits in areas such as cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, NAFLD, NASH, obesity, age-related functional decline, and as a result, they have received an increasing amount of attention.With contributions from leading experts in biology, biotechnology, and chemistry of carotenoid research, this volume discusses the biological functions of carotenoids such as astaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and fucoxanthin, in addition to paprika carotenoids, capsanthin, and capsorubin. It also reveals the technologies behind the commercial production of some functional carotenoids.The book is targeted for academic and industrial readers in biology, biotechnology, nutrient physiology and related fields.

Carotenoids: Properties, Processing, and Applications fills the gap of transfer knowledge between academia and industry, covering integral information in three critical dimensions: properties, recovery and applications. At the moment, carotenoid research is directed at particular applications, including colorants, antioxidants and recovery from plant processing by-products. These trends take into account the health, nutrition and functions of carotenoids, the new recovery efforts from underutilized sources, the extraction procedures using green solvents and technologies, and their sustainability aspects. Written by a team of experts in the field of food chemistry, food science and technology, as well as bioresource technologists mainly from academia, the book covers the most recent advances in the field of carotenoids, while also analyzing the potential of already commercialized processes and products. - Covers carotenoids'properties in view of alternative sources (plant by-products, microalgae, etc.), recovery technologies and applications - Thoroughly explores mechanistic aspects, dietary intake and recommendations surrounding the health-promoting effects of carotenoids - Discusses the effect of processing and storage conditions in carotenoid levels and bioavailability - Presents applications and case studies in the food industry

Carotenoids were first studied as natural pigments, then as precursors of vitamin A, and then as bioactive compounds against chronic diseases. These compounds have been and continue to be the subject of intense research worldwide, now with an expanded scope. Food Carotenoids: Chemistry, Biology and Technology gathers all the important information about these major compounds which impact both food quality and human health. It integrates in one volume various aspects of food carotenoids, such as: Structures and physicochemical properties Biosynthetic pathways and metabolism Analysis and composition of foods Stability and reactions during processing Commercial production as food colorants and precursors of aroma compounds Bioavailability and health benefits Having worked with carotenoids in various aspects for 44 years, Delia Rodriguez-Amaya is uniquely placed to pass on her wealth of knowledge in this field. This book will serve as solid background information for professionals in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry and Medical Sciences, whether in the academe, industry, governmental and non-governmental agencies.

This comprehensive, edited book explores carotenoids and their important functional roles in yeast, bacteria and plants and a profound exposition on the structures of carotenoid molecules, focusing in the first of three parts on the biosynthesis of carotenoids. The regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis in photosynthesis as well as in plant, fruits, storage roots and algae is central to the second part, and discoveries about the function of carotenoids in human health feature in the third and final part. Many helpful illustrations, explanations, overviews and examples help to bring readers up to date on relevant themes including carotenogenic genes, carotenoids in fruits and metabolic engineering. The book explores where carotenoids are synthesized in nature, including in carrots and algae. Contributing expert authors examine enzyme functions and plant models, and analyze the structure of carotenoid molecules. The function of carotenoids in photosynthesis and in photosynthetic organs as well as during fruit ripening are then explored. A whole chapter is dedicated to the latest research on apocarotenoids and further chapters cover interesting and novel themes on plastid development and the epigenetic regulation that affects carotenoid synthesis in plants. The metabolic engineering of carotenoids that has been done in fruits, plants, and seeds is another area that readers can explore, along with evidences on the function of carotenoids in human nutrition, as antioxidants, as in the control of lipid metabolism and in the absorption of carotenoids. This is a highly informative and wide-ranging work which will update researchers in the field, as well as supporting students of plant physiology and biotechnology, as supplementary reading.

Carotenoids are an essential component of the human diet. Bioactive by nature, they are rich in antioxidants, promote vitamin A activity and lower the development of chronic illnesses. As such they are an area of growing interest to researchers and scientists who are working to design, develop and launch new functional food products, dietary supplements and other nutritional solutions. Carotenoids: Nutrition, Analysis and Technology is an up-to-date overview of the key areas of carotenoids in nutrition, therapy and technology. In the first section, the authors present a functional food perspective, outlining the therapeutic applications of the bioactive pigments. The second part is dedicated to the spectroscopic analysis of carotenoids, providing in-depth scientific methods and real research findings. In the final section, various technological applications of carotenoids are considered, including biotechnology and future prospects. Written by international experts in the field, this comprehensive book will be of interest to food scientists and researchers, nutritionists and health food companies. It will be of particular use to anyone involved in the spectroscopic analysis of carotenoids and other related bioactives.

Vitamin A has an important role to play in vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell division, and cell differentiation. With the focus on Vitamin A and Carotenoids, this book includes the latest research in these areas and starts with an overview putting the compounds in context with other vitamins, supplementation and discussing the importance of beta-carotene. Details of the chemistry, structure and biochemistry of the compounds begins with nomenclature followed by information on encapsulation, thermal degradation and occurrence. Developments in analytical and bioanalytical techniques concerning these compounds in plant, milk and human tissue systems are covered in detail. Finally, the book covers the extensive functions and effects of Vitamin A on eg developmental growth, immune function, cancer risk, the brain and lungs as well as vision. Delivering high quality information, this book will be of benefit to anyone researching this area of health and nutritional science. It will bridge scientific disciplines so that the information is more meaningful and applicable to health in general. Part of a series of books, it is specifically designed for chemists, analytical scientists, forensic scientists, food scientists, dieticians and health care workers, nutritionists, toxicologists and research academics. Due to its interdisciplinary nature it could also be suitable for lecturers and teachers in food and nutritional sciences and as a college or university library reference guide.

Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals: Chemistry, Nutritional Value and Stability provides scientists in the areas of food technology and nutrition with accessible and up-to-date information about the chemical nature, classification and analysis of the main phytochemicals present in fruits and vegetables – polyphenols and carotenoids. Special care is taken to analyze the health benefits of these compounds, their interaction with fiber, antioxidant and other biological activities, as well as the degradation processes that occur after harvest and minimal processing.

More than twenty years after the idea of this Carotenoids book series was first discussed, we finally reach the end of the project with Volume 5, which covers the functions and actions of carotenoids in human nutrition and health. In 1971, in Isler's book Carotenoids, functions of carotenoids and vitamin A were covered in just two chapters. Now, thanks to technical developments and multidisciplinary approaches that make it possible to study functional processes in great detail, this subject is the most rapidly expanding area of carotenoid research, and occupies two full volumes, Volumes 4: Natural Functions and 5: Nutrition and Health. Although Volume 5 can be used as a single stand-alone volume, the two were planned as companion volumes to be used together. To understand the mechanisms of functions and actions of carotenoids, including how carotenoids may be involved in maintaining human health, requires understanding of the underlying principles, which are presented in the first part of Volume 4. The general philosophy and strategy of the series, to have expert authors review and analyse critically a particular topic and present information and give guidance on practical strategies and procedures is maintained in Volumes 4 and 5. It is also the aim that these publications should be useful for both experienced carotenoid researchers and newcomers to the field.