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Carotenoids are vital organic pigments that determine the color of flowers, roots, and fruits in plants, imparting them yellow, orange, and red hues. This study comprehensively analyzes carotenoid accumulation in different tissues of the Brassica rapa mutant "YB1", which exhibits altered flower and root colors. Integrating physiological and biochemical assessments, transcriptome profiling, and quantitative metabolomics, we examined carotenoid accumulation in the flowers, roots, stems, and seeds of YB1 throughout its growth and development. The results indicated that carotenoids continued to accumulate in the roots and stems of YBI, especially in its cortex, throughout plant growth and development; however, the carotenoid levels in the petals decreased with progression of the flowering stage. In total, 54 carotenoid compounds were identified across tissues, with 30 being unique metabolites. Their levels correlated with the expression pattern of 22 differentially expressed genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis and degradation. Tissue-specific genes, including CCD8 and NCED in flowers and ZEP in the roots and stems, were identified as key regulators of color variations in different plant parts. Additionally, we identified genes in the seeds that regulated the conversion of carotenoids to abscisic acid. In conclusion, this study offers valuable insights into the regulation of carotenoid metabolism in B. rapa, which can guide the selection and breeding of carotenoid-rich varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lutein is a macular biopigment that can protect the retina from oxidative stress induced by chronic exposure to light and oxidants. The peel of gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis) contains high levels of lutein, but the extraction optimisation parameters are complex, requiring saponification, and the effects on ocular bioactivity are not well understood. This study is aimed at optimising parameters for lutein extraction validated using HPLC from gac peel to determine their protective effects on oxidatively stressed retinal cells. The factors investigated for optimisation were KOH concentration, time, and temperature using (1) single factor, (2) multiple factor response surface methodology, and (3) predictive modelling. The optimum conditions for lutein extraction using single factors were 9% KOH for 3 h at 60°C, multiple factors were 9% KOH for 3 h at 45°C, and predictive modelling was 18% KOH for 1.9 h at 39.9°C, with the maximum extraction of lutein at 12.37, 15.64, and 17.4 mg/g DW, respectively. The extracted lutein purity and chemical composition were compared using HPLC and FTIR and indicated high purity and similarities in all extracts including the commercially purified lutein. Lutein extracted exhibited benefits on oxidatively stressed retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells that reversed damage to baseline unstressed levels exceeding 80% viability, similar to purified lutein standards. The feasibility of gac lutein and extraction optimisation were discussed for commercial translational opportunities as a medicinal bioproduct with a focus on eye benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf pigment content can reflect the nutrient content of the cultivation medium indirectly. To rapidly and accurately predict the pigment content of tomato leaves, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll and carotenoid were extracted from the leaves of tomato seedlings cultured at different nitrogen concentrations. The visible/near-infrared hyperspectral imaging non-destructive measurement technology, 430-900 nm and 950-1650 nm, with total variables of 794, was used to obtain the reflection spectra of leaves. An improved strategy of the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) based on logistic chaotic mapping was proposed, and it optimized the back propagation neural network to predict the pigment content of leaves. Different pretreatment methods were used to effectively improve the prediction accuracy of the model. The results showed that when the nitrogen concentration in the nutrient solution was 302.84 mg·L-1, the pigment content of the leaves reached its maximum. Meanwhile, the inhibition effect of high concentrations was much stronger than that of low concentrations. To address the problem that the SSA is prone to premature convergence due to the reduction of population diversity at the end of the iteration, the initialization of the SSA population by logistic chaotic mapping improves the initial solution quality, convergence speed, and search capacity. The root mean squared error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2) and relative percent deviation (RPD) of chlorophyll a were 0.77, 0.77, and 2.08, respectively. The RMSE, R2 and RPD of chlorophyll b were 0.30, 0.66, and 1.71, respectively. The RMSE, R2 and RPD of chlorophyll were 0.88, 0.81, and 2.28, respectively. The RMSE, R2 and RPD of carotenoid were 0.14, 0.75, and 2.00, respectively. Hyperspectral imaging technology combined with machine learning algorithms can achieve rapid and accurate prediction of crop physiological information, providing data support for the precise management of fertilization in facility agriculture, which is conducive to improving the quality and output of tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-altitude pre-Andean region of the Atacama Desert is characterized by its stark volcanic rock formations and unique hydrothermal gypsum outcrops (gypcrete) that it hosts. This study delves into the biomolecular composition of the endolithic phototrophic microbes that thrive within these gypcretes. Using advanced Raman spectroscopy techniques, including Raman imaging (complemented by microscopic and 3D microscopic observations), herein we unveil new insights into the adaptive strategies of these gypsum-inhabiting algae. Our Raman imaging results provide a detailed chemical map of carotenoids associated with microbial colonization. This map reveals a significant gradient in pigment content, highlighting a critical survival mechanism for algae and cyanobacteria in this polyextreme environment. Intriguingly, we detected signals for carotenoids not only in the algae-colonized layer, but also deeper within the gypsum matrix - indicating pigment migration following cell disruption. In addition, we conducted an in-depth analysis of individual algal cells from the Trebouxiaceae family, noting their color variations from green to orange, plus describing the spectral differences in detail. This investigation identified in-vivo pigments (carotenoids, chlorophyll) and lipids at the cellular level, offering a comprehensive view of the molecular adaptations enabling life in one of the Earth's most extreme habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this work was to extract bioactive compounds from different cultivars of blackberry pomace using conventional Soxhlet and supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extraction methods. For Soxhlet extraction, two different solvents, ethanol and n-hexane, were used. Qualitative and quantitative composition of fatty acids was determined by GC, carotenoids and chlorophylls by HPLC, and volatile organic compounds were identified with an e-nose based on GC. The yield of the extract was influenced by the extraction, while the qualitative content of the extracts was also dependent on the cultivar. While there were no differences in the types of fatty acids extracted, their content varied significantly depending on the cultivar, extraction method, and their interaction. The results showed that linoleic acid (C18:2), oleic acid (C18:1), and α-linolenic acid (C18:3) were the most prevalent in all cultivars of blackberry pomace extracts. The linoleic acid content varied from 33.33 to 64.77% depending on the variety, and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 varied from 3.17% to 5.71%. Significantly higher quantities of carotenoids and chlorophylls were obtained in Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane in all extracts. The major carotenoid in the 'Orkan' and 'Polar' extracts was lutein, while in the 'Brzezina' extract, it was β-carotene. The extraction method has a significant impact on the flavor profile of the extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an ancient fruit crop that has been cultivated worldwide and is known for its attractive appearance and functional metabolites. Fruit color is an important index of fruit quality, but the color formation pattern in the peel of evergreen pomegranate and the relevant molecular mechanism is still unknown. In this study, the contents of pigments including anthocyanins, carotenoids, and chlorophyll in the peel of 'Danruo No. 1' pomegranate fruit during three developmental stages were measured, and RNA-seq was conducted to screen key genes regulating fruit color formation. The results show that pomegranate fruit turned from green to red during development, with a dramatic increase in a* value, indicating redness and anthocyanins concentration, and a decrease of chlorophyll content. Moreover, carotenoids exhibited a decrease–increase accumulation pattern. Through RNA-seq, totals of 30, 18, and 17 structural genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis, carotenoid biosynthesis and chlorophyll metabolism were identified from differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Transcription factors (TFs) such as MYB, bHLH, WRKY and AP2/ERF were identified as key candidates regulating pigment metabolism by K-means analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The results provide an insight into the theory of peel color formation in evergreen pomegranate fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haloarchaeal cultures were isolated from solar salterns of Goa and Tamil Nadu and designated as BS2, BBK2 and E3. These isolates grew with a characteristic bright orange to pink pigmentation and were capable of growing in media containing upto 25% (w/vol) NaCl. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the three haloarchaeal strains BS2, BBK2 and E3 indicated an assembled genomic size of 4.1 Mb, 3.8 Mb and 4 Mb with G + C content of 61.8, 65.6 and 59.8% respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the archaeal isolates belong to Haloarcula, Haloferax and Halogeometricum genera. Haloarcula rubripromontorii BS2 was predicted to have 4292 genes with 4242 CDS regions, 46 tRNAs, 6 rRNAs and 3 misc_RNAs. In case of Haloferaxlucentense BBK2, 3840 genes with 3780 CDS regions were detected along with 52 tRNAs, 5 rRNAs and 3 misc_RNAs. Halogeometricumborinquense E3 contained 4101 genes, 4043 CDS regions, 52 tRNAs, 4 rRNAs, and 2 misc_RNAs. The functional annotation and curation of the haloarchaeal genome, revealed C50 carotenoid biosynthetic genes like phytoene desaturase/carotenoid 3′ -4′ desaturase (crtI), lycopene elongase (ubiA/lyeJ) and carotenoid biosynthesis membrane protein (cruF) in the three isolates. Whereas crtD (C-3′,4′ desaturase), crtY (lycopene cyclase) and brp/blh (β-carotene dioxygenase) genes were identified only in BS2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most noticeable environmental discontinuities in mountains is the transition that exists in vegetation below and above the treeline. In the North Patagonian Andean lakes (between 900 and 1950 m a.s.l.), we analyzed the bacterial community composition of lakes in relation to surrounding vegetation (erected trees, krummholz belt, and bare rocks), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and total dissolved nutrients (nitrogen, TDN and phosphorus, TDP). We observed a decrease in DOC, TDP, and TDN concentrations with altitude, reflecting shifts in the source inputs entering the lakes by runoff. Cluster analysis based on bacterial community composition showed a segregation of the lakes below treeline, from those located above. This first cluster was characterized by the cyanobacteria Cyanobium PCC-6307, while in the krummholz belt and bare rocks, bacterial communities were dominated by Actinobacteria hgcl-clade and Proteobacteria (Sandarakinorhabdus and Rhodovarius), with the presence of pigments such as actinorhodopsin, carotenoids, and bacteriochlorophyll a. The net relatedness index (NRI), which considers the community phylogenetic dispersion, showed that lakes located on bare rocks were structured by environmental filtering, while communities of lakes below treeline were structured by species interactions such as competition. Beta-diversity was higher among lakes below than among lakes located above the treeline. The contribution of species turnover was more important than nestedness. Our study brings light on how bacterial communities may respond to changes in the surrounding vegetation, highlighting the importance of evaluating different aspects of community structure to understand metacommunity organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to optimize the production of carotenoid pigments from Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 9341) through the statistical screening of media components and the characterization of antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytogenetic and cytotoxic activities. A BOX-Behnken design was used to assess the effects of whey concentration, inoculum size, pH, temperature, and agitation speed on carotenoid yield. The optimum combination increased production to 2.19 g/L, with a productivity of 0.045 g L-1 h−1 and a productivity yield of 0.644 g/g, as confirmed by an observed carotene production of 2.19 g/L. The final response surface model fitting the data had an R2 of 0.9461. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified 12 carotenoid pigment compounds produced by M. luteus. The extracts displayed moderate antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), and E. faecalis (ATCC 19433), with inhibition zone diameters (IZD) of 29.0, 14.0, and 37.0 mm, respectively, at 1000 μg/mL. However, its effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria is limited. In comparison, tetracycline exhibited greater antimicrobial potency. The IC50 value of carotenoids was used to indicate the antioxidant activity. IC50 value from the DPPH assay was 152.80 mg/100mL. An IC50 cytotoxicity value greater than 300 μg/mL was found against normal mouse liver cells, with over 68% cell viability even at 300 μg/mL, indicating low toxicity. Histological structure studies revealed normal myocardial muscle tissue, lung tissue, and kidney tissue sections, whereas liver tissue sections revealed ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes and disorganization of hepatic cords. Cytogenetic parameters revealed that the carotene treatment group had a mitotic index (70%) lower than that of the control but higher than that of the positive control, mitomycin, and did not substantially increase numerical (1.2%) or structural aberrations compared with those of the control, suggesting a lack of genotoxic effects under the experimental conditions. In conclusion, optimized culture conditions enhanced carotenoid yields from M. luteus, and the extracts displayed promising bioactivity as moderate antibiotics against certain gram-positive bacteria and as antioxidants. The high IC50 values demonstrate biosafety. Overall, this bioprocess for enhanced carotenoid production coupled with bioactivity profiling and low cytotoxicity support the application of M. luteus carotenoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Vibrio cholerae O1 or non O1/non O139 is found in water ecosystems where it colonizes phytoplankton and has different lifestyle. This study aimed to investigate the impact of some algae extracts on the survival/growth of both V. cholerae strains. Materials and Methods: Algae extracts consisting of three fractions, F1 containing chlorophyll-a, F2 containing chlorophyll-b, and F3 containing carotenoids, and raw extract (RAE) were obtained from the algal bloom collected in the Kaliao stream (Maroua, Cameroon). The survival and growth of V. cholerae O1 and V. cholerae non O1/non O139, in microcosms consisting of sterile saline with these extracts and peptone (PEP) respectively added at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/L, and 50/50 mixtures F1+F2, F2+F3, and F2+PEP at a concentration 0.05 mg/L, were compared during a 24h experiment. Results: The microcosms F2 and RAE did not support the growth of O1 strain; V. cholerae non O1/non O139 count in all algae extract microcosms ranging from 3.97 log (CFU/mL) to 5.2 log (CFU/mL). In all PEP microcosms, the counts of both strains reached an uncountable value. Microcosms F1+F2 and F2+F3 supported the growth of V. cholerae O1 and V. cholerae non-O1/nonO139 strains. Conclusion: The algae compounds showed strain-specific effect on the growth of V. cholerae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility and biostability of carotenoids, vitamin E isomers, and individual polyphenolic compounds after the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of two types of berries (raspberry and blackberry fruits). The results of the polyphenols analysis showed that raspberry fruits contained higher concentrations of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, and flavonols compared to blackberry fruits, but exhibited the lowest bioaccessibility values for all the studied polyphenol classes. Ellagic acid represented 13.63% and 2.65% of the hydroxybenzoic acids in raspberry and blackberry fruits. The hydroxybenzoic acids exhibited the highest bioaccessibility index in the intestinal phase of both types of berries, and gallic acid emerged as one of the most bioaccessible phenolic compounds. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids ranged between 15.7 and 17.30% for lutein, 5.52 and 7.56% for astaxanthin, and 7.85 and 9.93% for canthaxanthin, with elevated values being observed in raspberry fruits. Although vitamin E and carotenoids follow a similar path for absorption, the bioaccessibility of vitamin E isomers was higher than that of carotenoids, with γ-tocopherol being the most bioaccessible isomer in both raspberries and blackberries. Knowing the bioaccessibility of food constituents during digestion is crucial, as the potential effectiveness of bioactives for human health largely depends on the bioavailability of these molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of culture medium salinity (5–50 PSU) on the growth and maximum photochemical yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and the composition of carotenoids, fatty acids, and bioactive substances in three marine microalgae (Chrysochromulina rotalis, Amphidinium carterae, and Heterosigma akashiwo). The microalgae were photoautotrophically cultured in discontinuous mode in a single stage (S1) and a two-stage culture with salt shock (S2). A growth model was developed to link biomass productivity with salinity for each species. C. rotalis achieved a maximum biomass productivity (Pmax) of 15.85 ± 0.32 mg·L−1·day−1 in S1 and 16.12 ± 0.13 mg·L−1·day−1 in S2. The salt shock in S2 notably enhanced carotenoid production, particularly in C. rotalis and H. akashiwo, where fucoxanthin was the main carotenoid, while peridinin dominated in A. carterae. H. akashiwo also exhibited increased fatty acid productivity in S2. Salinity changes affected the proportions of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in all three species. Additionally, hyposaline conditions boosted the production of haemolytic substances in A. carterae and C. rotalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of pumpkin breeding programs is to develop cultivars that meet the production, commercial quality, and nutritional value, considering several attributes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to select pumpkin genotypes with high fruit quality for future use in genetic breeding programs. Two production cycles were carried out. The evaluations included the determination of genetic parameters (the additive genetic variance, environmental variance between residual variances and individual phenotypic variance, accuracy of progeny selection, restricted heritability, coefficient of individual additive genetic variation, coefficient of genotypic variation between progenies, coefficient of residual variation, coefficient of relative variation, variance of the prediction error of the genotypic values of the progeny), the prediction of genetic gains, and the selection of genotypes with fruits of better physical and chemical quality attributes. The carotenoid and β-carotene contents of the pulp were distinguished by high values of additive genetic variance, residual variance and individual variance. Additionally, genetic gains were achieved for the main carotenoid compounds, as xanthophyll (68%), lycopene (58%) and β-carotene (49%). In the second production cycle, using the technique of Mulamba and Mock, a new ranking method was used to select the best genotypes. These genetic parameters, especially restricted heritability, indicate the potential for advancing new selection stages to develop pumpkin cultivars with superior qualities, including fruit length (0.976), skin thickness (0.951) and orange pigments, particularly β-carotene (0.894). Additionally, firmer fruits with high ascorbic acid content and a pulp hue angle representing an orange color were ranked among the best genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic storage conditions can have a significant impact on the composition of phytochemicals and sugars in stone fruits. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two domestic storage temperatures (4 and 23 °C) on the physicochemical properties, phytochemical composition, and sugars of 'Rubycot' (RC) plumcot, a novel stone fruit variety, and 'Queen Garnet' (QG) plum. Initially, RC had a lower total anthocyanin concentration (TAC) than QG, but TAC in RC increased significantly (p < 0.05) during storage, peaking at +95% after 7 days at 23 °C, while QG reached +60% after 14 days. At 4 °C, TAC increased for both varieties (RC +30%, QG +27%). RC had a higher initial total phenolic content (TPC), which also increased for both fruits. QG had a significantly higher initial total quercetin concentration (TQC), increasing by 40% (p < 0.05) at 23 °C. The initial total carotenoid concentration in QG was higher than that in RC, but after 10 days at 23 °C, RC had a higher carotenoid concentration than QG. Both varieties showed similar sugar profiles, with QG starting higher but decreasing over time at both storage temperatures. Results from this study showed that ambient storage significantly increases total anthocyanins, total quercetins, and TPC in RC and QG. However, it is important to evaluate the textural and sensory properties of stored RC and QG in terms of consumer acceptability of the stored fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are tetraterpene compounds acting as precursors to vitamin A, with functions that include protecting eyesight, enhancing immunity, promoting cell growth and differentiation, and providing antioxidative benefits. Lycopene, β-carotene, and astaxanthin are particularly critical for health and have diverse applications in food, health products, and medicine. However, natural carotenoids are encased within cell structures, necessitating mechanical methods to disrupt the cell wall for their extraction and purification—a process often influenced by environmental conditions. Thus, improving the efficiency of carotenoid extraction from natural resources is of great interest. This review delves into the research progress made on the extraction processes, structures, and biological functions of carotenoids, focusing on lycopene, β-carotene, and astaxanthin. Traditional extraction methods primarily involve organic solvent-assisted mechanical crushing. With deeper research and technological advancements, more environmentally friendly solvents, advanced machinery, and suitable methods are being employed to enhance the extraction and purification of carotenoids. These improvements have significantly increased extraction efficiency, reduced preparation time, and lowered production costs, laying the groundwork for new carotenoid product developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pumpkin is a highly nutritious plant, rich in valuable nutrients that benefit human health. Due to the high perishability of this fruit, the production of pumpkin juice is a practical way to use it effectively. Recently, fermented vegetable juices have been used as a dairy alternative due to their nutritional and potential probiotic properties. This study investigated the fermentation of pumpkin juice using different strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), with and without heat treatment. The effects of fermentation on microbial growth, pH, acidity, extract, sugars, carotenoids, polyphenols, and antioxidant properties were analyzed. The heat-treatment process did not greatly impact the dry matter content, pH, acidity, extract, or sugar content. However, it led to a reduction in carotenoid and polyphenol levels. During fermentation, there was a consistent decrease in pH and an increase in total acidity, with no noticeable differences between bacterial strains regarding their influence on these parameters. The study revealed that there were no distinctions between LAB strains in their effects on pH, acidity, and carotenoid content in fermented pumpkin juice. Nonetheless, both L. sakei and L. plantarum proved to be effective in the fermentation process, with L. sakei demonstrating greater adaptability. The expected pH, acidity, and sugar content changes were consistently observed throughout the fermentation process. Overall, results confirm the efficacy of the used Lactobacillus strains in fermenting pumpkin juice and highlight the potential impact of heat treatment on the nutritional composition of the juice. The purpose of thermal processing of pumpkin juice, which is conducted with lactic acid fermentation, is crucial for the food industry. It extends the product's shelf life, improves its nutritional and taste profiles, and guarantees its microbiological safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The color of coffee fruits is influenced by several factors, including cultivar, ripening stage, and metabolite composition. However, the metabolic accumulation of pigments and the molecular mechanisms underlying peel coloration during the ripening process of Coffea arabica L. remain relatively understudied. In this study, UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based transcriptomics were integrated to investigate the accumulation of anthocyanins and carotenoids in the peel of Coffea arabica at different ripening stages: green peel (GP), green-yellow peel (GYRP), red peel (RP), and red-purple peel (RPP). This integration aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with these changes. A total of ten anthocyanins, six carotenoids, and thirty-five xanthophylls were identified throughout the ripening process. The results demonstrated a gradual decrease in the total carotenoid content in the peel with fruit maturation, while anthocyanin content increased significantly. Notably, the accumulation of specific anthocyanins was closely associated with the transition of peel colors from green to red. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses identified the GYRP stage as critical for this color transition. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that enzyme-coding genes such as 3AT, BZ1, and lcyE, along with transcription factors including MYB, NAC, and bHLH, which interact with PHD and SET TR, may regulate the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and carotenoids, thereby influencing peel pigmentation. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the accumulation of anthocyanins and carotenoids in Coffea arabica peel during fruit maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downstream costs represent one of the main obstacles to enabling microalgae to become widespread. The development of an economical, easily scaled-up strategy could reduce the overall process costs. Here, different flocculants were tested on different microalgae strains and a cyanobacterium. The results indicate that flocculation could be an alternative to centrifugation, as CaCl2 induced a complete flocculation of green and red marine strains (96 ± 4% and 87.0 ± 0.5%, respectively), whereas Chitosan was the only agent able to induce flocculation on the cyanobacterium (46 ± 1%). As for the thermoacidophilic red microalga, 100% flocculation was achieved only by increasing the pH. Carotenoids were extracted from the flocculated biomass, and the strategy improved with the use of the wet biomass. The results indicate that flocculation does not affect carotenoid yield, which is at least the same than that obtained upon centrifugation and extraction from the wet biomass. Then, for the first time, the biological activity of the extracts obtained from the flocculated biomasses was evaluated. The results indicate that only the green microalga extract shows increased antioxidant activity. In conclusion, this work highlights that a general downstream procedure cannot be developed for microalgae strains but should be rationally tailored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the effects and related potential mechanism of H2O2 on pigment metabolism in postharvest broccoli, an integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome was performed. Results suggested that 65 differentially expressed genes and 26 differentially accumulated metabolites involved in chlorophyll, carotenoid, and flavonoid metabolism were identified. H2O2 treatment delayed the decrease of chlorophyll content by upregulating the expressions of chlorophyll synthetic genes, thylakoid synthetic genes, and 15 light‐harvesting complex genes compared with the control and diphenylene iodonium treatments. H2O2 treatment decreased the accumulation of 11 flavonoids and 5 flavonols by downregulating the flavonoid synthetic genes. In addition, H2O2 treatment promoted carotenoid biosynthesis to eliminate reactive oxygen species in thylakoids, thereby protecting chlorophyll molecules from degradation. The inhibition of flavonoids and flavonols accumulation and chlorophyll decrease was the crucial reason for the delayed yellowing in H2O2 treatment. This study provides a new method and theoretical support for delaying the yellowing process in postharvest broccoli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Co‐digestion of cantaloupe (C) melon fresh cuts (FC) coated with probiotics [Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 75/xanthan gum with Natal plum (NP)] or beetroot leaves (BL) was evaluated to determine their bioaccessibility of individual anthocyanins (cyanidin‐3‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐sambubioside) and carotenoids (lutein, trans‐β‐carotene and cis‐β‐carotene). Co‐digestion of probiotic‐coated C‐melon‐FC with NP increased the percentage (%) bioaccessibility of cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (11.18%) and cyanidin‐3‐O‐sambubioside (8.89%) compared to single digestion of Natal plum. Bioaccessibility of lutein (18.2%), trans‐β‐carotene (36.92%) and cis‐β‐carotene (16.74%) increased when co‐digestion of probiotic‐coated C‐melon‐FC with BL compared to the single digestion of uncoated C‐melon. Co‐digestion of C‐melon‐FC‐L75 with BL showed the highest antioxidant activity. L. plantarum had the highest LAB survival at the intestinal phase (6.01–6.26 Log CFU mL−1) during single and co‐digestion showing probiotic potential. C‐melon‐FC‐L75, Natal plum and beetroot leaves could be recommended as functional ingredients in meal preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Melatonin (MT), a natural signalling compound derived from tryptophan, has gained significant attention for delaying postharvest ripening and senescence in various fruits and vegetables. In the present study, the effect of MT treatment was evaluated on the postharvest shelf‐life of bell pepper. Fruits were dipped in various MT concentrations (70, 120, 170, 220 μmol L−1) for 20 min and stored at 10 ± 1 °C for 20 days. The bell pepper treated with 120 μmol L−1 MT significantly suppressed respiration, weight loss and delayed chlorophyll degradation. Additionally, MT (120 μmol L−1) treatment reduced loss of firmness, titratable acidity and retained total phenol, flavonoid and ascorbic acid content. It hindered malondialdehyde accumulation by enhanced DPPH radical scavenging and antioxidant enzyme activity like superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase, over the control. Conclusively, 120 μmol L−1 MT prolongs the postharvest shelf‐life of bell pepper by 20 days with superior sensory quality, surpassing the control by 10 days. Therefore, MT treatment is a commercially useful technology for maintaining quality and prolonging the postharvest shelf‐life of bell pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study investigated the impact of heating temperatures (70 °C to 90 °C for up to 14 h) on lycopene and β‐carotene degradation kinetics in gac aril paste. Carotenoids extracted via low‐volume hexane‐assisted ultrasonic extraction revealed a first‐order degradation pattern with high correlation coefficients (0.96–0.97). Lycopene degraded faster at 90 °C (k = 12.05 × 102 h−1) than at 70 °C (5.41 × 102 h−1), while β‐carotene displayed relatively slower degradation. Corresponding half‐life (t1/2) values for lycopene ranged from 5.75 to 12.81 h, while β‐carotene displayed values of 9.48–20.2 h. β‐carotene showed superior thermal stability compared to lycopene across all temperatures. Additionally, colour changes indicated decreased brightness with increasing temperature. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP values decreased during gac fruit heating. Overall, this study emphasises temperature‐induced declines in lycopene and β‐carotene levels in gac aril paste and offers insights into their degradation kinetics under thermal processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) (blue, green, red, and white) on carotenoid and lipid production by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa CCT 7688. Results showed that LED at 50 µmol m−2 s−1 enhanced carotenoid production in all colors under study, by comparison with the control (1794.21 µg L−1). However, both green (3473.00 µg L−1) and red (3497.76 µg L−1) stood out in the production since there was increase of 93.5 and 94.9%, respectively. β-Carotene and astaxanthin were found to be the major carotenoids. However, at intensity of 100 µmol m−2 s−1, there was decrease (green 1377.0 µg L−1; red 826.86 µg L−1). In lipid production, there was no significant change when 50 µmol m−2 s−1 was used. The yeast exhibited distinct behavior towards the LED; i.e., carotenogenic production was notably more accentuated, a fact that shows that adequate illumination is an effective strategy to increase carotenoid production. In this sense, it is concluded that the intensity of light and colors applied to microbial cultivation is extremely important, as it affects the metabolism of yeasts, leading to an increase in the production of carotenoids and causing a significant change in the profile of fatty acids produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus species have capability to produce pigments such as carotenoids, melanin and staphloxanthin which can be used in the applications of industries such as food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Hence, the objective of this paper was to isolate, optimize, characterize and identify of pigment-producing bacterial from soil, water, food around Ogwa, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. The microbial load of the bacterial isolates ranges from 2.20x104 cfu/ml to 7.0x104 cfu/ml. All the isolates produced a yellow-colored pigment. During optimization studies, maximum pigment production was observed at pH range of 5 to 7, the temperature of 30, 37 and 42 °C, inoculum size up to 1% with NaCl concentration of 0.5%, OD at 540 nm respectively. It was observed that peptone worked best for enhancement of pigment production. This findings showed that the bacterial isolates were able to produce pigments under the influence of different nutrition and environmental variability implementing that the bacteria are potential sources for the synthesis of pigments in industries. Hence, the objective of this paper is to isolation, optimization, characterization and identification of pigment-producing bacterial from soil, water, food around Ogwa, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Mutation at A126 in lycopene-β-cyclase of Crocus (CstLcyB2a) sterically hinders its binding of δ-carotene without affecting lycopene binding, thereby diverting metabolic flux towards β-carotene and apocarotenoid biosynthesis. Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron, has emerged as an important crop for research because of its ability to synthesize unique apocarotenoids such as crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. Metabolic engineering of the carotenoid pathway can prove a beneficial strategy for enhancing the quality of saffron and making it resilient to changing climatic conditions. Here, we demonstrate that introducing a novel mutation at A126 in stigma-specific lycopene-β-cyclase of Crocus (CstLcyB2a) sterically hinders its binding of δ-carotene, but does not affect lycopene binding, thereby diverting metabolic flux towards β-carotene formation. Thus, A126L-CstLcyB2a expression in lycopene-accumulating bacterial strains resulted in enhanced production of β-carotene. Transient expression of A126L-CstLcyB2a in C. sativus stigmas enhanced biosynthesis of crocin. Its stable expression in Nicotiana tabacum enhanced β-branch carotenoids and phyto-hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acids (GA’s). N. tabacum transgenic lines showed better growth performance and photosynthetic parameters including maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and light-saturated capacity of linear electron transport. Exogenous application of hormones and their inhibitors demonstrated that a higher ratio of GA4/ABA has positive effects on biomass of wild-type and transgenic plants. Thus, these findings provide a platform for the development of new-generation crops with improved productivity, quality and stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Carotenoids are important precursors of various aroma components in tobacco and play an important role in the sensory quality of tobacco. Phaffia rhodozyma is a species of Xanthophyllomyces capable of synthesizing a highly valuable carotenoid-astaxanthin, but has not yet been used in improving tobacco quality. Methods: The dynamic changes of microbial community and metabolites during tobacco fermentation were analyzed in combination with microbiome and metabolome, and the quality of tobacco after fermentation was evaluated by sensory scores. Results: P. rhodozyma could grow and produce carotenoids in tobacco extract, with a maximum biomass of 6.50 g/L and a maximum carotenoid production of 36.13 mg/L at 100 g/L tobacco extract. Meanwhile, the correlation analysis combined with microbiome and metabolomics showed that P. rhodozyma was significantly positively correlated with 11 metabolites such as 6-hydroxyluteolin and quercetin. Furthermore, the contents of alcohols, ketones and esters, which were important aromatic components in fermented tobacco, reached 77.57 μg/g, 58.28 μg/g and 73.51 μg/g, increasing 37.39%, 265.39% and 266.27% compared to the control group, respectively. Therefore, the aroma and flavor, and taste scores of fermented tobacco increased by 0.5 and 1.0 points respectively. Discussion: This study confirmed that P. rhodozyma fermentation could effectively improve the sensory evaluation of tobacco, and provided a novel microbial fermentation method to improve tobacco quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary metabolites are bioactive compounds believed to contribute to the pharmacological properties of plants. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules involved in post-transcriptional regulation and are thought to play an important role in regulating secondary metabolism biosynthesis. Nevertheless, the extent of miRNA involvement in secondary metabolism remains minimal. Nigella sativa (black cumin/black seed) is a popular medicinal and culinary plant known for its pharmaceutical properties; however, its genomic information is scarce. In this study, next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology was employed to obtain the miRNA profile of N. sativa, and their involvement in secondary metabolite biosynthesis was explored. A total of 25,139,003 unique reads ranging from 16 to 40 nucleotides were attained, out of which 240 conserved and 34 novel miRNAs were identified. Moreover, 6083 potential target genes were recognized in this study. Several conserved and novel black cumin miRNAs were found to target enzymes involved in the terpenoid, diterpenoid, phenylpropanoid, carotenoid, flavonoid, steroid, and ubiquinone biosynthetic pathways, among others, for example, beta-carotene 3-hydroxylase, gibberellin 3 beta-dioxygenase, trimethyltridecatetraene synthase, carboxylic ester hydrolases, acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase, isoprene synthase, peroxidase, shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, etc. Furthermore, sequencing data were validated through qPCR by checking the relative expression of eleven randomly selected conserved and novel miRNAs (nsa-miR164d, nsa-miR166a, nsa-miR167b, nsa-miR171a, nsa-miR390b, nsa-miR396, nsa-miR159a, nsa-miRN1, nsa-miRN29, nsa-miRN32, and nsa-miRN34) and their expression patterns were found to be corroborated with the sequencing data. We anticipate that this work will assist in clarifying the implications of miRNAs in plant secondary metabolism and aid in the generation of artificial miRNA-based strategies to overproduce highly valuable secondary metabolites from N. sativa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spirulina (Arthospira platensis) is known for its rich content of natural compounds like phycocyanin, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and high protein levels, making it a nutrient-dense food. Over the past decade, research has aimed to optimize the extraction, separation, and purification of these valuable metabolites, focusing on technologies such as high-pressure processing, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction as well as enzymatic treatments, chromatographic precipitation, and membrane separation. In this study, various extraction methods (conventional vs. ultrasound-assisted), solvents (water vs. phosphate buffer), solvent-to-biomass ratios (1:5 vs. 1:10), and ultrafiltration (PES membrane of MWCO 3 kDa, 2 bar) were evaluated. The quantities of total protein, phycocyanin (PC), chlorophyll a (Cla), and total carotenoids (TCC) were measured. The results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with phosphate buffer at a 1:10 ratio yielded a metabolite-rich retentate (MRR) with 37.0 ± 1.9 mg/g of PC, 617 ± 15 mg/g of protein, 0.4 ± 0.2 mg/g of Cla, and 0.15 ± 0.14 mg/g of TCC. Water extraction in the concentration process achieved the highest concentrations in MRR, with approximately 76% PC, 92% total protein, 62% Cla, and 41% TCC. These findings highlight the effective extraction and concentration processes to obtain a metabolite-rich retentate from Spirulina biomass, reducing the volume tenfold and showing potential as a functional ingredient for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium wallichii is famous for its reddish-purple flowers, which can be utilized as cut flowers and garden landscaping. Flower color is mainly determined by flavonoids, betalains, carotenoids, as well as other pigments. However, there is no research on the color formation mechanism in A. wallichii, which restricts its genetic improvement and development of superior varieties. The flower of A. wallichii was collected for full-length transcriptome sequencing and metabolome analysis using PacBio SMART and UPLC-MS, respectively. A total of 45 anthocyanins were detected in its flower, and 75,778 transcripts of 107,208 non-redundant transcripts were annotated. Then, two AwDFRs were cloned and characterized using bioinformatics tools. Enzyme activity assays revealed that both AwDFR1 and AwDFR2 possessed DFR activity in vitro that only accepted DHQ and DHM as substrates, except for DHK. Finally, physiological results showed that AwDFR1 and AwDFR2 could restore the lacking phenotypes of Arabidopsis tt3 mutant and increase the content of anthoycanin in tobacco petals. The anthocyanins and transcriptome in A. wallichii were firstly reported, and AwDFR1 and AwDFR2 are key enzymes participating in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins. This research provides important guidance for future key gene mining, color improvement, and horticultural breeding in A. wallichii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macauba is a Brazilian native palm whose fruits have a great economic potential, due to the presence of oil in the pulp and kernel, which can be used by biofuel, cosmetic and food companies. The study of its genetic variability paves the way for the pre-breeding of the palm tree. In this context, the present work aimed to evaluate the genetic variability in macauba genotypes from different Brazilian locations. For such, 50 accessions were evaluated for pulp oil attributes and productivity traits in three populations (Pop1, Pop2, Pop3). The pulp oil attributes were the fatty acid composition, pulp oil color and carotenoid content. The productivity traits were the fruit diameter and the dry mass of the fruit weight, husk, pulp, endosperm and kernel; as well as pulp oil content. The results revealed that Pop1 presented the smallest fruits and the highest content of carotenoids, while Pop2 and Pop3 presented the largest fruits and lowest carotenoid content. The highest oil content was observed in Pop3. Fatty acid analyses revealed the presence of oleic (C18:1), palmitic (C16:0), linoleic (C18:2), palmitoleic (C16:1), stearic (C18:0), and linolenic (C18:3) acids in macauba pulp oil. The carotenoid content ranged from 27.09 to 2682.87 µg/g. The color of the macauba pulp oil was diverse among the different genotypes, ranging from red to green. Their genetic diversity demonstrated that the accessions clustered according to their geographic origin. Our results revealed that macauba had high variability for the traits evaluated and potential to be genetically improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron deficiency is a prevalent challenge for plant nutrition supply in many alkaline/calcareous soils. The current research aimed to examine the effects of boron supply to bell pepper plants through fertigation and foliar application. The experiment had seven treatments, comprising a control group, boric acid as fertigation (0.5, 1, and 2 g L-1), and foliar application (0.5, 1, and 2 g L-1) with three replications in controlled greenhouse conditions. The treatments were applied on Lorca bell peppers in a completely randomized design. The results showed that fertigation and foliar application increased all measured characteristics compared to the control group. Increasing the boric acid concentration in foliar application caused a decrease in fruit count per plant, fruit fresh weight, fruit yield per plant, and fruit width. Both fertigation and foliar boric acid applications at a low level (0.5 g L-1) and as separate treatments caused the highest fruit weight, length, width, and fruit count per plant. Higher boric acid concentrations increased chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, leaf carotenoid content, soluble sugars, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenols, and fruit ascorbic acid content. The highest chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, leaf carotenoid content, and fruit ascorbic acid were observed in response to the high concentration of boric acid foliar application (2 g L-1). Overall, the boron supplement as a foliar application (0.5 to 1 g L-1) or fertigation (0.5 to 1 g L-1) improved quantitative and qualitative performance in bell peppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are one of the most studied groups of biologically active compounds. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and coloring properties and are particularly interesting for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, feed, cosmetic, and textile industries. Rapidly growing consumer demand for natural products has led to a significant increase in research and development of opportunities for their production from natural sources. Among the sources of carotenoids of natural origin, various microorganisms are of greater interest. This mini-review briefly summarizes the information published mainly during the last decade about carotenoid-producing microorganisms, the physiological importance of carotenoids for microbial cells, and the possibilities to improve their biosynthesis. This review also describes some new approaches/directions to make biotechnological production of microbial carotenoids more efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freeze concentration of liquid foods generates a by-product that has few academic studies and no industrial application: the ice fraction of each concentration stage. Sugar-free carbonated beverages were produced from the addition of 20% residual ice fraction (stage 1—I120 and stage 2—I220) of the gravitational block freeze concentration process, and the result was compared with a control beverage produced with 20% guabiroba juice (J20). The physicochemical properties, carotenoid content, total phenolic content (TPC), vitamin C, and antioxidant activity were analyzed for all samples. There was no significant difference between J20 and I220 for the total solid content and total soluble solids. For the total phenolic compounds (TPC), the I220 content was 151.3% higher than that of the original juice J20 and, for antioxidant activity, 295.8% higher for ABTS and 130.2% higher for DPPH. The I220 beverage presented 159% more vitamin C content than the beverage containing juice (J20). The same behavior was observed for each carotenoid content, with 168% more for the I220 sample. The total color difference revealed no difference visible to the naked eye for the three formulated beverages (∆E < 3.0; p < 0.05). The promising results of the bioactive compounds from guabiroba juice retained in the ice fraction can add value to this process waste in the formulation of new products due to the remaining functional appeal of the original fruit matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the stability of photosynthetic pigments is crucial for developing crop cultivars with high productivity and resilience to the environmental stresses. This study leveraged GGE biplot, WAASB, and MTSI indices to assess the stability of content and composition of photosynthetic pigments in leaves and siliques of 286 Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. genotypes across three environments. The GGE biplot analysis identified NRCQR-9901 as the best genotype in terms of chlorophyll 'a' under conditions of high irradiance and long days (E1). For chlorophyll 'b' and total chlorophyll, NC-533728 performed the best. AJ-2 and NPJ-208 had the maximum total carotenoids levels in leaves. RLC-2 was characterized by maximum values for chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll in the siliques. The low irradiance, short days, and moderate to high temperatures (E2) seemed perfect for the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. NPJ-182 shows the maximum concentrations of chlorophyll 'a', total chlorophyll, and total carotenoids in leaves. Conversely, IC-597869, RE-389, and IC-597894 exhibited the highest concentrations of chlorophyll 'b' under an environment characterized by low light intensity, shorter daylights, and low temperatures (E3) during flowering and siliqua formation stages. The combined analysis found NPJ-182, NC-533728, CN-105233, RLC-2, CN-101846, JA-96, PBR-357, JM-3, and DTM-34 as top performers with high stability. Comparative transcriptome analysis with two stable and high-performing genotypes (PBR-357 and DTM-34) and two average performers revealed upregulation of critical photosynthesis-related genes (ELIP1, CAB3.1, ELIP1.5, and LHCB5) in top performers. This study identified promising trait donors for use in breeding programs aimed at improving the mustard crop's photosynthetic efficiency, productivity, and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study provides an overview of the composition of the raw root flesh of a panel of 22 sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivars, with a focus on bioactive compounds. The large diversity of the proximate and phytochemical compositions observed between cultivars and within and between different flesh colors pointed out the importance of composition analysis and not only color choice for the design of foods with nutritional benefits. Methods: The nutritional composition (starch, protein, total dietary fibers) and bioactive compound composition of 22 cultivars from Reunion Island, maintained in the Vatel Biological Resource Center, were investigated. Results: Orange and purple cultivars stood out from white and yellow cultivars for their higher nutritional composition. Purple sweet potatoes were notable for their high contents of anthocyanins (55.7 to 143.4 mg/g dry weight (DW)) and phenolic compounds, in particular chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid, contributing to antioxidant activities, as well as their fiber content (14.1 ± 2.1% DW). Orange cultivars were rich in β-carotene (47.2 ± 0.7 mg/100 g DW) and to a lesser extent α-carotene (4.8 ± 1.2 mg/100 g DW). In contrast, certain white cultivars demonstrated suboptimal nutritional properties, rendering them less relevant even for applications where the lack of coloration in food is desired. Conclusions: Those characteristics enable the selection of sweet potato varieties to design food products ensuring optimal nutritional benefits and culinary versatility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to enrich soybean oil (SBO) with carotenoids from Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.) powder using ohmic heating-assisted ultrasound extraction (OH-AU). The oxidative stability during the 28-day storage period was also evaluated. The moisture content of the powder Gac powder samples was adjusted by adding deionized water to achieve a 30% wet basis, and then they were ohmically heated at two levels of electric field strength (E) (E = 100 and 200 V/cm) or microwave-heated at 300 and 600 Watts before ultrasonic extraction using SBO as a solvent. Commercial SBO and ultrasound extractions were used as controls. Maximum concentrations of β-carotene (46.27 µg/g) and lycopene (35.47 µg/g) were observed in the enriched oil from OH-AU (E = 200 V/cm), while the oil extracted by ultrasound without OH had the lowest concentration. The enriched oils from OH-AU at E = 100 and 200 V/cm showed lower L* and higher b* values. The antioxidant activity of OH-AU-enriched oil evaluated by DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP was also stronger than enriched oils without OH and SBO. The enriched oils from OH-AU showed higher oxidative stability with a lower peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) over 28 days of storage. The FFA concentrations of enriched oils were less than 5% by the end of the storage period. This suggests that applying OH could assist the ultrasound extraction in enriching Gac carotenoids in vegetable oil. It was an effective alternative technique for preparing a functional oil with high oxidative stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The samples of Asian water meal (Wolffia globosa) grown in an outdoor earthen pond (0.06 ha) in northeastern India was subjected to three different drying methods namely oven drying (OD), sun drying (SD), and freeze drying (FD) to evaluate their influence on proximate composition, qualitative as well as quantitative compositions. We characterized phenolic compounds and evaluated proximate composition, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content, total tannin content, total carotenoids content (TCC), Vit C, in vitro antioxidant, and in vitro antidiabetic potentials in W. globosa. Crude protein (29.79%), crude fiber (9.8%), TPC (8.43 mg GAE g−1), TCC (766.32 µg g−1), and Vit C (560.12 mg/100 g) were significantly high (p < 0.05) in FD. Among antioxidant activities, DPPH (39.87%) and ABTS (12.86%) were significantly highest in FD wolffia while superoxide alkaline DMSO (138%) was the highest in OD samples. Drying methods as well as glucose concentrations had significant individual as well as interaction impacts on glucose uptake rates of wolffia at all concentrations of wolffia sample evaluated (1–5 mg L−1). Further, the adsorption capacity of the samples was significantly increased with increasing glucose molar concentrations. The LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS identified and characterized 33, 21 and 12 compounds in FD, SD, and OD respectively. FD wolffia also had the most greenish color (significantly higher negative a* value). We expect that our results will be of considerable value to the food, pharmaceuticals and nutraceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn present study, Spanish cherry pulp (SCP) was dried using refractance window (RW) dryer at varying temperatures (50 to 90 °C) to investigate the impacts on drying kinetics and physicochemical properties and compared with freeze-dried samples. An increasing RW drying temperature from 50 to 90 °C reduced drying time from 320 to 80 min. The water and oil absorption capacity showed no significant (p < 0.05) changes in RW-dried SCP samples. Noticeable changes in color values, ascorbic acid, β-carotenoid, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity were observed on increasing RW drying temperature. As per results, compared to control, RW drying at 50 °C retained most of the nutrients. From nutrient retention perspective, RW drying at 80 and 90 °C may not be suitable SCP samples. From multivariance analysis, RW drying of SCP samples can be performed at 60 °C instead of 70 °C for better nutrient contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids produced by bacteria, yeasts, algae and plants inactivate Free Radicals (FR). However, FR may inactivate carotenoids and even turn them into free radicals. Oxidative metabolism is a source of the highly motile Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). To evaluate carotenoid interactions with ROS, the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was grown in dextrose (YPD), a fermentative substrate where low rates of oxygen consumption and low carotenoid expression were observed, or in lactate (YPLac), a mitochondrial oxidative-phosphorylation (OxPhos) substrate, which supports high respiratory activity and carotenoid production. ROS were high in YPLac-grown cells and these were unmasked by the carotenoid production-inhibitor diphenylamine (DPA). In contrast, in YPDgrown cells ROS were almost absent. It is proposed that YPLac cells are under oxidative stress. In addition, YPLac-grown cells were more sensitive than YPDgrown cells to menadione (MD), a FR-releasing agent. To test whether carotenoids from cells grown in YPLac had been modified by ROS, carotenoids from each, YPD- and YPLac-grown cells were isolated and added back to cells, evaluating protection from MD. Remarkably, carotenoids extracted from cells grown in YPLac medium inhibited growth, while in contrast extracts from YPDgrown cells were innocuous or mildly protective. Results suggest that carotenoid-synthesis in YPLac-cells is a response to OxPhos-produced ROS. However, upon reacting with FR, carotenoids themselves may be inactivated or even become prooxidant themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Biofortification of green leafy vegetables with pro‐vitamin A carotenoids, such as β‐carotene, has remained challenging to date. Here, we combined two strategies to achieve this goal. One of them involves producing β‐carotene in the cytosol of leaf cells to avoid the negative impacts on photosynthesis derived from changing the balance of carotenoids and chlorophylls in chloroplasts. The second approach involves the conversion of chloroplasts into non‐photosynthetic, carotenoid‐overaccumulating chromoplasts in leaves agroinfiltrated or infected with constructs encoding the bacterial phytoene synthase crtB, leaving other non‐engineered leaves of the plant to sustain normal growth. A combination of these two strategies, referred to as strategy C (for cytosolic production) and strategy P (for plastid conversion mediated by crtB), resulted in a 5‐fold increase in the amount of β‐carotene in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Following several attempts to further improve β‐carotene leaf contents by metabolic engineering, hormone treatments and genetic screenings, it was found that promoting the proliferation of plastoglobules with increased light‐intensity treatments not only improved β‐carotene accumulation but it also resulted in a much higher bioaccessibility. The combination of strategies C and P together with a more intense light treatment increased the levels of accessible β‐carotene 30‐fold compared to controls. We further demonstrated that stimulating plastoglobule proliferation with strategy P, but also with a higher‐light treatment alone, also improved β‐carotene contents and bioaccessibility in edible lettuce (Lactuca sativa) leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are important natural pigments that are responsible for the fruit and flower colors of many plants. The composition and content of carotenoid can greatly influence the color phenotype of plants. However, the regulatory mechanism underling the divergent behaviors of carotenoid accumulation, especially in flower, remains unclear. In this study, a new cultivar Osmanthus fragrans 'Yanzhi Hong' was used to study the regulation of carotenoid pigmentation in flower. Liquid chromatograph–mass spectrometer (LC-MS) analysis showed that β-carotene, phytoene, lycopene, γ-carotene, and lutein were the top five pigments enriched in the petals of 'Yanzhi Hong'. Through transcriptome analysis, we found that the expression of the structural genes in carotenoid pathway was imbalanced: most of the structural genes responsible for lycopene biosynthesis were highly expressed throughout the flower developmental stages, while those for lycopene metabolism kept at a relatively lower level. The downregulation of LYCE, especially at the late developmental stages, suppressed the conversion from lycopene to α-carotene but promoted the accumulation of β-carotene, which had great effect on the carotenoid composition of 'Yanzhi Hong'. Ethylene response factor (ERF), WRKY, basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog (MYB), N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), auxin response factor (ARF), and other transcription factors (TFs) have participated in the flower color regulation of 'Yanzhi Hong', which formed co-expression networks with the structural genes and functioned in multiple links of the carotenoid pathway. The results suggested that the cyclization of lycopene is a key link in determining flower color. The modification of the related TFs will break the expression balance between the upstream and downstream genes and greatly influence the carotenoid profile in flowers, which can be further used for creating colorful plant germplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by impaired insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling in the hippocampus. Zeaxanthin and lutein, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, have been reported to protect against brain damage and cognitive decline. However, their mechanisms related to insulin signaling in AD remain unclear. This study investigated the efficacy and mechanisms of zeaxanthin, lutein, and resveratrol in modulating an AD-like pathology in an amyloid-β rat model. Rats were administered hippocampal infusions of 3.6 nmol/day amyloid-β (Aβ)(25-35) for 14 days to induce AD-like memory deficits (AD-CON). Normal control rats received Aβ(35-25) (Normal-CON). All rats had a high-fat diet. Daily, AD rats consumed 200 mg/kg body weight of zeaxanthin (AD-ZXT), lutein (AD-LTN), and resveratrol (AD-RVT; positive-control) or resistant dextrin as a placebo (AD-CON) for eight weeks. The AD-CON rats exhibited a higher Aβ deposition, attenuated hippocampal insulin signaling (reduced phosphorylation of protein kinase B [pAkt] and glycogen synthase kinase-3β [pGSK-3β]), increased neuroinflammation, elevated acetylcholinesterase activity, and memory deficits compared to the Normal-CON group. They also showed systemic insulin resistance and high hepatic glucose output. Zeaxanthin and lutein prevented memory impairment more effectively than the positive-control resveratrol by suppressing acetylcholinesterase activity, lipid peroxidation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β). They also potentiated hippocampal insulin signaling and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CTNF) mRNA expression to levels comparable to the Normal-CON rats. Additionally, zeaxanthin and lutein improved glucose disposal, reduced hepatic glucose output, and normalized insulin secretion patterns. In conclusion, zeaxanthin and lutein supplementation at doses equivalent to 1.5–2.0 g daily in humans may have practical implications for preventing or slowing human AD progression by reducing neuroinflammation and maintaining systemic and central glucose homeostasis, showing promise even when compared to the established neuroprotective compound resveratrol. However, further clinical trials are needed to evaluate their efficacy and safety in human populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated carotenoid content and fruit color variation in 306 pepper accessions from diverse Capsicum species. Red-fruited accessions were predominant (245 accessions), followed by orange (35) and yellow (20). Carotenoid profiles varied significantly across accessions, with capsanthin showing the highest mean concentration (239.12 μg/g), followed by β-cryptoxanthin (63.70 μg/g) and zeaxanthin (63.25 μg/g). Total carotenoid content ranged from 7.09 to 2566.67 μg/g, emphasizing the diversity within the dataset. Correlation analysis revealed complex relationships between carotenoids, with strong positive correlations observed between total carotenoids and capsanthin (r = 0.94 ***), β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.87 ***), and zeaxanthin (r = 0.84 ***). Principal component analysis (PCA) identified two distinct carotenoid groups, accounting for 67.6% of the total variance. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 91 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with fruit color (15 SNPs) and carotenoid content (76 SNPs). These SNPs were distributed across all chromosomes, with varying numbers on each. Among individual carotenoids, α-carotene was associated with 28 SNPs, while other carotenoids showed different numbers of associated SNPs. Candidate genes encoding diverse proteins were identified near significant SNPs, potentially contributing to fruit color variation and carotenoid accumulation. These included pentatricopeptide repeat-containing proteins, mitochondrial proton/calcium exchangers, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase SINAT2, histone–lysine N-methyltransferase, sucrose synthase, and various enzymes involved in metabolic processes. Seven SNPs exhibited pleiotropic effects on multiple carotenoids, particularly β-cryptoxanthin and capsanthin. The findings of this study provide insights into the genetic architecture of carotenoid biosynthesis and fruit color in peppers, offering valuable resources for targeted breeding programs aimed at enhancing the nutritional and sensory attributes of pepper varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of combined stress factors involving light intensity and salinity (NaCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, and their combinations) on the two-stage cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris for simultaneous production of biomass and high-value products, were investigated. The two-stage strategies comprised a 25-day vegetative stage in BG11 medium, followed by a 15-day combined stress stage. During salt stress conditions, the addition of 15 g L−1 CaCl2 or 7.5 g L−1 MgCl2 / 7.5 g L−1 CaCl2 mixture with 140 µmol m−2 s−1 light intensity significantly promoted the growth of C. vulgaris achieving maximum biomass productivity of 50.50 ± 0.50 and 50.25 ± 3.25 mg L−1 d−1, respectively. Cultivation of C. vulgaris in a medium containing 7.5 g L−1 NaCl/ 7.5 g L−1 CaCl2 had remarkably increased the lipid content (31.15 ± 1.18%) and lipid productivity (14.55 ± 1.48 mg L−1 d−1). The saturated fatty acids (SFAs) at 39.52–59.29%, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) at 27.16–35.47%, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) at 7.18–29.97%, were obtained with palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1), stearic (C18:0), and linolenic (C18:3) acids as predominant fatty acids. Cultures supplemented with 5 g L−1 NaCl / 5 g L−1 MgCl2 / 5 g L−1 CaCl2 and high light intensity exposure attained consistently high carbohydrate content (52.71 ± 2.50%). The combination of 7.5 g L−1 NaCl / 7.5 g L−1 MgCl2 also resulted in a marked increase in the protein content (35.32 ± 2.20%) and total carotenoids (0.31 ± 0.03 μg mL−1) as compared to the Controls. The highest antioxidant activity (86.16%) was achieved with a 7.5 g L−1 NaCl / 7.5 g L−1 CaCl2 combination in the growth stage. The antioxidant activities were attributed to the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins due to the stressed conditions. One of the key benefits of using a combined stress strategy in this study is that if one factor has a low impact on enhancing target metabolites, other factors can compensate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crude palm oil (CPO) is the most produced vegetable oil globally, with Brazil contributing only 0.74% of global production. Pará and Bahia account for more than 82% of Brazil's output. Despite its widespread use in the food industry after refining, there is little research on CPO consumption and perception in Brazil, particularly regarding its nutritional aspects. This study, conducted between March and July 2022, explored Brazilians' perceptions and the potential for CPO consumption. The results show that most participants are unfamiliar with CPO but view its nutrients favorably. Less than half regularly purchase CPO. Refined palm oil (RPO) is even less known, with many unaware that refining CPO can produce carcinogenic substances. The respondents showed little concern about RPO in their foods, rarely noticing its presence on labels. Despite limited knowledge, participants understand that refining reduces CPO's health benefits, leading to a greater preference for crude oil over refined oil. This study highlights the need for better dissemination of information about CPO in Brazil, emphasizing its nutritional benefits and the importance of adhering to daily lipid intake limits. Adding CPO at the end of cooking or consuming it raw to preserve thermosensitive compounds is also recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoene is an uncommon linear carotene within the carotenoid group as it is colorless due to its short chromophore. Recent research constitutes a relatively new area which has emerged from phytoene's importance as a major dietary carotenoid promoting health and appearance. Its resources point to the potential of biotechnological production systems. Our work has been designed to study the efficacy of two colored carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, diphenylamine and 2-methyl imidazole, and one sterol biosynthesis inhibitor, terbinafine, to modify the metabolic flux in mated cultures of Blakeslea trispora to achieve maximum phytoene production. Bioprocess kinetics optimized by response surface methodology and monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed maximum phytoene content (5.02 mg/g dry biomass) and yield (203.91 mg/L culture medium) comparable or even higher than those reported for other potent phytoene microbial producers. The in vivo antioxidant activity of phytoene-rich carotenoid extract from fungal cells was also considered and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around 20–30% of the horned melon's weight is peel. This peel is often discarded or underutilized despite containing valuable bioactive compounds. Conventional methods for extracting polyphenols and carotenoids from horned melon peel are typically inefficient, environmentally harmful, or require significant time and energy. The potential of green cloud point extraction (CPE) or green surfactant-based extraction for recovering bioactives with different polarities from this kind of by-product has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study focused on optimizing CPE process parameters using a one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) approach. Optimal CPE demonstrated superior yields compared to conventional, ultrasound, microwave, ultrasound-assisted CPE, and microwave-assisted CPE methods. Further, a Plackett–Burman design identified key factors influencing optimal CPE conditions, while artificial neural network (ANN) analysis assessed each input variable's impact on outcomes. Maximum extraction efficiency for total phenolics (352.49 mg GAE/100 g), total carotenoids (16.59 mg β-carotene/100 g), and antioxidant activity (989.02 μmol TE/100 g) was achieved under conditions of: surfactant type = Tween 80, surfactant concentration = 2%; solid:liquid ratio = 1:100; pH = 6612; equilibration temperature = 35 °C; equilibration time = 60 min; salt type = NaCl; salt concentration = 16.4%; centrifugation speed = 7906× g ; centrifugation time = 13.358 min; and No. of CPE steps = Step 1. This comprehensive approach aimed to enhance the understanding and optimization of CPE for maximizing the recovery of bioactives from the horned melon peel, addressing the inefficiencies of traditional extraction methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using natural plant extracts as food additives is a promising approach for improving food products' quality, nutritional value, and safety, offering advantages for both consumers and the environment. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to develop a sustainable method for extracting polyphenols and carotenoids from horned melon peel using the cloud point extraction (CPE) technique, intending to utilize it as a natural food additive. CPE is novel promising extraction method for separation and pre-concentration of different compounds while being simple, inexpensive, and low-toxic. Three parameters within the CPE approach, i.e., pH, equilibrium temperature, and equilibrium time, were investigated as independent variables through the implementation of Box–Behnken design and statistical analyses. The optimized conditions for the maximum recovery of both polyphenols and carotenoids, reaching 236.14 mg GAE/100 g and 13.80 mg β carotene/100 g, respectively, were a pH value of 7.32, an equilibrium temperature of 55 °C, and an equilibrium time of 43.03 min. The obtained bioactives' recovery values under the optimized conditions corresponded to the predicted ones, indicating the suitability of the employed RSM model. These results highlight the effectiveness of CPE in extracting bioactive compounds with varying polarities from agricultural by-products, underscoring its potential for enhancing the value of food waste and advancing sustainable practices in food processing. According to microbiological food safety parameters, the optimal CPE extract is suitable for food applications, while its storage under refrigerated and dark conditions is particularly beneficial. The CPE extract's enhanced stability under these conditions makes it a more viable option for long-term storage, preserving both safety and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histidine kinases (HKs) are important sensor proteins in fungi and play an essential role in environmental adaptation. However, the mechanisms by which fungi sense and respond to fungivores attack via HKs are not fully understood. In this study, we utilized Neurospora crassa to investigate the involvement of HKs in responding to fungivores attack. We found that the 11 HKs in N. crassa not only affected the growth and development, but also led to fluctuations in antioxidant production. Ten mutants in the genes encoding HKs (except ∆phy1) showed increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially upon Sinella curviseta attack. The ROS burst triggered changes in conidia and perithecial beaks formation, as well as accumulation of β-glucan, ergothioneine, ergosterol, and carotenoids. β-glucan was increased in ∆hk9, ∆os1, ∆hcp1, ∆nik2, ∆sln1, ∆phy1 and ∆phy2 mutants compared to the wild-type strain. In parallel, ergothioneine accumulation was improved in ∆phy1 and ∆hk16 mutants and further increased upon attack, except in ∆os1 and ∆hk16 mutants. Additionally, fungivores attack stimulated ergosterol and dehydroergosterol production in ∆hk9 and ∆os1 mutants. Furthermore, deletion of these genes altered carotenoid accumulation, with wild-type strain, ∆hk9, ∆os1, ∆hcp1, ∆sln1, ∆phy2, and ∆dcc1mutants showing an increase in carotenoids upon attack. Taken together, HKs are involved in regulating the production of conidia and antioxidants. Thus, HKs may act as sensors of fungivores attack and effectively improve the adaptive capacity of fungi to environmental stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the foliar antioxidant activity in nine Hevea brasiliensis genotypes from the ECC-1 (Élite Caquetá Colombia) selection and IAN 873 cultivar (control) in trees in the growth stage in two large-scale clonal trials in response to different climatic (semi-humid warm and humid warm sites) and seasonal (dry and rainy periods) conditions in the Colombian Amazon. The results indicated that Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production increased under conditions of lower water availability (dry period), leading to lipid peroxidation, high defense of photosynthetic pigments, and development of better osmotic adjustment capacity in the ECC 64, IAN 873, ECC 90, and ECC 35 genotypes due to high concentrations of carotenoids (0.40 mg g-1), reducing sugars (65.83 μg mg-1), and malondialdehyde (MDA) (2.44 nmol ml-1). In contrast, during the rainy period, a post-stress action was observed due to high contents of proline and total sugars (39.43 μg g-1 and 173.03 μg g-1, respectively). At the site level, with high Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) values (1143 moles photons m-2 s-1), temperature (32.11°C), and lower precipitation (135 mm), higher antioxidant activity (chlorophylls a, b and total, carotenoids, and proline) was recorded at the humid warm site, demonstrating that the ECC 90, ECC 64, and ECC 66 genotypes are tolerant to water deficit compared to IAN 873. The ECC 64 genotype, independent of seasonal changes and site conditions, presented the highest contents in Chl a, total Chl, reducing sugars, total sugars, and MDA, showing a tendency to adapt to fluctuating conditions. This study showed that water fluctuations do not cause the same metabolic responses, these vary within the same species, depending on their developmental stage and the climatic and seasonal variations characteristic of the Colombian Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]