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Mutants lacking functional HYD2 homoeologs showed improved seedling growth, but comparable or increased susceptibility to salt stress in tillering plants, suggesting a developmentally restricted role of HYD2 in salt response. Salinity stress threatens global food security by reducing the yield of staple crops such as wheat (Triticum ssp.). Understanding how wheat responds to salinity stress is crucial for developing climate resilient varieties. In this study, we examined the interplay between carotenoid metabolism and the response to salt (NaCl) stress, a specific form of salinity stress, in tetraploid wheat plants with mutations in carotenoid β-hydroxylase 1 (HYD1) and HYD2. Our investigation encompassed both the vulnerable seedling stage and the more developed tillering stage of wheat plant growth. Mutant combinations lacking functional HYD2 homoeologs, including hyd-A2 hyd-B2, hyd-A1 hyd-A2 hyd-B2, hyd-B1 hyd-A2 hyd-B2, and hyd-A1 hyd-B1 hyd-A2 hyd-B2, had longer first true leaves and slightly enhanced root growth during germination under salt stress compared to the segregate wild-type (control) plants. Interestingly, these mutant seedlings also showed decreased levels of neoxanthin and violaxanthin (xanthophylls derived from β-carotene) and an increase in β-carotene in roots. However, tillering hyd mutant and segregate wild-type plants generally did not differ in their height, tiller count, and biomass production under acute or prolonged salt stress, except for decreases in these parameters observed in the hyd-A1 hyd-B1 hyd-A2 hyd-B2 mutant that indicate its heightened susceptibility to salt stress. Taken together, these findings suggest a significant, yet developmentally restricted role of HYD2 homoeologs in salt-stress response in tetraploid wheat. They also show that hyd-A2 hyd-B2 mutant plants, previously demonstrated for possessing enriched nutritional (β-carotene) content, maintain an unimpaired ability to withstand salt stress.

Maize is the mainstay of food and animal feed globally. Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, accounts for a significant global loss of stored maize annually. Twenty-one maize genotypes were evaluated for their reaction to attack by maize weevil during storage and the influence of nutritional contents on their response to the weevil attack. Fifty grams of whole grains of each genotype were infested in three replications with 20 unsexed weevils in a 250 ml test tube and kept under ambient conditions for 36 days. The nutritional attributes of the maize genotypes were determined. Genotype TZB-SR-A had the thickest (7.32 mm) grains, while TZEE-WSTR had the thinnest grains (3.46 mm). Crude protein ranged from 8.43 to 12.78% for NG/SA/07/029 and TZB-SR-B, respectively. Beta-carotene ranged from 38.91 to 51.22% for Igbogbo Local and EVDT-Y2000-STR, respectively. Genotypes TZM-212, TZM-1296, TZB-SR-B, and TZM-1311 showed no appreciable loss in grain weight, while EVDT-Y2000-STR, which had the highest beta-carotene content, showed the highest weight loss of 2 g. These indicate sufficient differences among the maize genotypes for improvement for weevil resistance. Furthermore, the findings of the present study suggest a potential role of beta-carotene in influencing the feeding preference of S. zeamais on maize grains. Genotypes TB87/97/15, TZB-SR-A, TZB-SR-B, TZM-1311, and TZM-144 should be targeted for future improvement of the trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This in vivo study performed in rat adjuvant arthritis aims to advance the understanding of astaxanthin's therapeutic properties for the possible treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in monotherapy and along with the standard RA treatment, methotrexate (MTX), in combination therapy. The main goal was to elucidate astaxanthin's full therapeutic potential, evaluate its dose dependency, and compare its effects in monotherapy with other carotenoids such as β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin (KXAN). Moreover, potential differences in therapeutic activity caused by using different sources of astaxanthin, synthetic (ASYN) versus isolated from Blakeslea trispora (ASTAP), were evaluated using one-way ANOVA (Tukey-Kramer post hoc test). KXAN was the most effective in reducing plasma MMP-9 levels in monotherapy, significantly better than MTX, and in reducing hind paw swelling. The differences in the action of ASTAP and ASYN have been observed across various biometric, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative parameters. In combined therapy with MTX, the ASYN + MTX combination proved to be better. These findings, especially the significant anti-arthritic effect of KXAN and ASYN + MTX, could be the basis for further preclinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previous studies have indicated a controversy regarding the association between dietary micronutrient concentrations and the risk of allergic diseases. In this study, we employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using data from two samples to investigate the causal relationship between circulating micronutrient concentrations and three allergic diseases. Methods: In this study, we considered 16 circulating micronutrients as exposure variables (beta carotene, calcium, copper, folate, iron, lycopene, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin A1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc); and three common allergic diseases (allergic asthma [AA], atopic dermatitis [AD], and allergic rhinitis [AR]) as outcomes. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was primarily applied for MR analysis, supplemented by MR-Egger and weighted-median methods to corroborate the IVW results; and sensitivity analysis was conducted to ensure the robustness of the MR assumptions. Results: Our results revealed that an increase in serum phosphorus and zinc concentrations may diminish the risk of AA, while for AD an increase in serum zinc concentration may reduce the risk, but an increase in serum vitamin C concentration may elevate the risk. As for AR, an increase in serum phosphorus and selenium concentrations appeared to be associated with a reduced risk. We did not find evidence for an association between other micronutrients and the risk of allergic diseases. Conclusion: Our study indicates that an increase in serum phosphorus and zinc concentrations may reduce the risk of AA, while an increase in serum zinc concentration may reduce the risk of AD, but an increase in serum vitamin C concentration may elevate the risk of AD. An increase in serum phosphorus and selenium concentrations is associated with a reduced risk of AR. This provides additional support for research on the effects of micronutrients on allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we sought to validate the use of Euphorbia calyptrata (L.), a Saharan and Mediterranean medicinal plant, in traditional pharmacopeia. GC‐MS/MS identified volatile compounds of potential therapeutic interest. Antioxidant tests were performed using β‐carotene decolorization, DPPH radical scavenging, FRAP, beta‐carotene bleaching, and TAC. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated on solid and liquid media for bacterial and fungal strains to determine the zone of inhibition and the minimum growth concentration (MIC) of the microbes tested. The hemolytic activity of these essential oils was assessed on red blood cells isolated from rat blood. Phytochemical characterization of the terpenic compounds by GC‐MS/MS revealed 31 compounds, with alpha‐Pinene dominating (35.96 %). The antioxidant power of the essential oils tested revealed an IC50 of 67.28 μg/mL (DPPH), EC50 of 80.25.08±1.42 μg/mL (FRAP), 94.83±2.11 μg/mL (beta carotene) and 985.07±0.70 μg/mL (TAC). Evaluating solid media's antibacterial and antifungal properties revealed a zone of inhibition between 10.28 mm and 25.80 mm and 31.48 and 34.21 mm, respectively. On liquid media, the MIC ranged from 10.27 μg/mL to 24.91 μg/mL for bacterial strains and from 9.32 μg/mL to 19.08 μg/mL for fungal strains. In molecular docking analysis, the compounds naphthalene, shogunal, and manol oxide showed the greatest activity against NADPH oxidase, with Glide G scores of −5.294, −5.218 and −5.161 kcal/mol, respectively. For antibacterial activity against E. coli beta‐ketoacyl‐[acyl carrier protein] synthase, the most potent molecules were cis‐Calamenene, alpha.‐Muurolene and Terpineol, with Glide G‐scores of −6.804, −6.424 and −6.313 kcal/mol, respectively. Hemolytic activity revealed a final inhibition of 9.42±0.33 % for a 100 μg/mL concentration. The essential oils tested have good antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hemolytic properties thanks to their rich phytochemical composition, and molecular docking analysis confirmed their biological potency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a critical step in advancing the simulation of photosynthetic complexes, we present the Martini 3 coarse-grained (CG) models of key cofactors associated with light harvesting (LHCII) proteins and the photosystem II (PSII) core complex. Our work focuses on the parametrization of beta-carotene, plastoquinone/quinol, violaxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, and heme. We derived the CG parameters to match the all-atom reference simulations, while structural and thermodynamic properties of the cofactors were compared to experimental values when available. To further assess the reliability of the parameterization, we tested the behavior of these cofactors within their physiological environments, specifically in a lipid bilayer and bound to photosynthetic complexes. The results demonstrate that our CG models maintain the essential features required for realistic simulations. This work lays the groundwork for detailed simulations of the PSII-LHCII super-complex, providing a robust parameter set for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the changes in total sugar, ascorbic acid, α- tocopherol and β-carotene content of fresh fruits of rosehip species during ripening, for three years. Fruits of selected genotypes belonging to Rosa dumalis, R.canina and R.villosa were used. Fruits were harvested in six different times based on hyphantium color change or flesh softening. The total sugars of R.dumalis, R.canina, and R.villosa fruits ranged between 11.22-16.68, 9.28-13.90, and 9.28-16.31%, respectively. Also, ascorbic acids varied between 767.1-1324.9, 168.7-481.5 and 241.2-574.2 mg 100 g-1, respectively; α-tocopherols ranged between 5.87-10.25, 5.29-10.04 and 2.74-11.65 mg 100 g-1, and β-carotenes varied between 0.18-2.03, 0.34-2.42 and 0.49-3.62 mg 100 g-1, respectively. Total sugar, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol and β-carotene content linearly increased depending on ripening time. Relationships between total sugar and vitamins were significant. It was concluded that harvest should be delayed as much as possible in order to obtain fruits with high content of total sugar and the main components of vitamins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beta-carotene is an antioxidant compound that benefits health by boosting immunity and preventing chronic diseases. However, beta-carotene has low solubility (practically insoluble in water) and bioavailability, so it will produce a poor beneficial effect. An alternative candidate that may overcome this problem is a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS). SNEDDS can enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble active compounds by increasing the solubility and stability of active compounds in oil droplets. This study aims to develop beta-carotene SNEDDS by determining the optimum composition of SNEDDS. The low-energy method and simplex lattice design (SLD) were combined to determine the optimum formula. Based on the results, the solubility of beta-carotene in sesame oil, polysorbate 80, and PEG 400 as components of SNEEDS were 0.455 mg/mL, 1.538 mg/mL, and 0.667 mg/mL, respectively. The optimum formula of beta-carotene SNEDDS had a mixing ratio of sesame oil and surfactant mixture in 1:15.2 (v/v), emulsification time of 38.48 ± 0.70 seconds, the droplet size of 13.13 ± 0.50 nm, and size distribution (PdI) of 0.133 ± 0.06. The optimum formula of beta-carotene SNEDDS had good stability in the artificial gastric fluid after 4 hours of incubation. Moreover, the optimum beta-carotene SNEDDS formula had high stability during storage at room temperature and 40oC ± 2oC/75%RH±5%RH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Reducing cigarettes per day may lower the risk of lung cancer compared with continuing to smoke at the same intensity. Other changes in smoking behaviors, such as increasing cigarette consumption or quitting for a period and relapsing, may also affect lung cancer risk. Methods We examined changes in smoking status and cigarettes per day among 24 613 Finnish male smokers aged 50-69 years who participated in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study. Longitudinal data on smoking were collected during study follow-up visits 3 times a year (approximately every 4 months) between 1985 and 1993. Incident lung cancer patients through 2012 were identified by the Finnish Cancer Registry. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Compared with smoking 20 cigarettes per day continuously across the intervention period, reducing an average of 5 cigarettes per day per year while smoking was associated with a 20% lower risk of lung cancer (95% CI = 0.71 to 0.90). A substantially lower risk of lung cancer was also observed when participants smoked at 50% (RR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.90) and 10% (RR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.36 to 0.83) of study visits, relative to smoked at 100% of study visits. Conclusions Smokers may lower their risk of lung cancer by reducing smoking intensity (cigarettes per day while smoking) and the time they smoke. However, quitting smoking completely is the most effective way for smokers to reduce their risk of lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the association between serum carotenoids and cancer-related death. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001–2006 and 2017–2018), the study encompasses 10,277 participants older than age 20 years, with recorded baseline characteristics and serum carotenoid concentrations (including α-carotene, trans -β-carotene, cis -β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans -lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin). We hypothesized that serum carotenoid concentrations were negatively associated with cancer-related death. The weighted chi-square analyses indicate significant negative correlations between higher serum concentrations of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans -lycopene, and total carotenoids, and the risk of cancer-related deaths. Using weighted Cox regression analysis, this study confirms that α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans -lycopene, and total carotenoids, as continuous or categorical variables, are inversely related to cancer mortality (P <.0001). Furthermore, considering competitive risk events, lower concentrations of serum β-cryptoxanthin (Fine-Gray P = 1.12e-04), trans -lycopene (P = 5.68e-14), and total carotenoids (P =.03) are associated with an increased risk of cancer-related deaths. The research reveals a crucial inverse relationship between serum carotenoid concentrations and cancer-related death. • Higher α-carotene concentration links to lower cancer death risk. • Higher β-cryptoxanthin concentration links to lower cancer death risk. • Higher trans-lycopene concentration links to lower cancer death risk. • Higher total carotenoids concentration links to lower cancer death risk. • Study used data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The present study encompasses 10,277 participants older than age 20 years, with recorded baseline characteristics and serum carotenoid concentration (including α-carotene, trans -β-carotene, cis -β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans -lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin). The research reveals an inverse relationship between serum total carotenoids concentrations and cancer-related death. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a significant collection of plastic introduced by human activities, provides an ideal environment to study bacterial lifestyles on plastic substrates. We proposed that bacteria colonizing the floating plastic debris would develop strategies to deal with the ultraviolet‐exposed substrate, such as the production of antioxidant pigments. We observed a variety of pigmentation in 67 strains that were directly cultivated from plastic pieces sampled from the Garbage Patch. The genomic analysis of four representative strains, each distinct in taxonomy, revealed multiple pathways for carotenoid production. These pathways include those that produce less common carotenoids and a cluster of photosynthetic genes. This cluster appears to originate from a potentially new species of the Rhodobacteraceae family. This represents the first report of an aerobic anoxygenic photoheterotrophic bacterium from plastic biofilms. Spectral analysis showed that the bacteria actively produce carotenoids, such as beta‐carotene and beta‐cryptoxanthin, and bacteriochlorophyll a. Furthermore, we discovered that the genetic ability to synthesize carotenoids is more common in plastic biofilms than in the surrounding water communities. Our findings suggest that plastic biofilms could be an overlooked source of bacteria‐produced carotenoids, including rare forms. It also suggests that photoreactive molecules might play a crucial role in bacterial biofilm communities in surface water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we introduce a new model with positive support. This model is an extension of the truncated Gumbel distribution, where a shape parameter is incorporated that provides greater flexibility to the new model. The model is parameterized in terms of the p-th quantile of the distribution to perform quantile regression in this model. An extensive simulation study demonstrates the good performance of the maximum likelihood estimators in finite samples. Finally, two applications to real datasets related to the level of beta-carotene and body mass index are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic farming, which essentially excludes the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, is becoming popular worldwide. The covid-19 pandemic has positively impacted on the market due to growing awareness towards the healthy and nutritional diets. As a result, demand for organic fruits and vegetables has increased over the world. Organic fruits and vegetables are in higher demand than ever before, owing to lower production and rising global consumption. However, due to the high cost of production, organic fruit and vegetable supply is limited in comparison to demand. Several experiments were conducted for comparing the organic and conventional fruits and vegetables quality. The results obtained from the studies showed Vitamins like ascorbic acid and beta carotene, Total polyphenols, dry matter accumulation, fiber content and Total Soluble Solids were higher in organic fruits and vegetables than conventional farming. Other mineral nutrient contents like Ca, Mg, K, Cu, Fe, Zn, PO4, SO4 were found similar both in organic and conventional farm produce. Cooking of organic vegetables at high temperatures is not preferable because it shows higher polyphenols losses during cooking than conventional produces. Heavy metals contamination, pesticide residues, ammonium and nitrate contents were lower in organic produce than conventional crops. Organic foods are better for the environment and more nutritious. It can be concluded that organic crops have a lower amount of contaminants, but a higher quality compared to conventional crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of beta‐carotene on cattle fertility has been investigated in various studies; however, consensus on this issue has not been reached. In the present study, we systematically reviewed and meta‐analysed 29 publications conducted between 1984 and 2022, focusing on seven fertility measures, clinical mastitis and milk yield in cows. We did not find statistically significant results in 8 out of 11 parameters (p >.05). Statistically significant results were observed for milk yield (MD: 216.25 kg in 305 days, p =.01, CI: 50.73–381.77), pregnancy at first service (OR: 1.38 CI: 1.08–1.76, p =.01) and clinical mastitis (OR: 0.59, CI: 0.44–0.80, p =.006) in favour of beta‐carotene supplementation. The meta‐regression revealed significant effects of 'plasma beta‐carotene levels' on 'service to per pregnancy' and dose on 'milk yield' (p =.04 and p = 0). In binary outcomes, 'dose × day' and 'plasma beta‐carotene concentration in the control group' positively influenced pregnancy at first service (p =.02 and.03). In conclusion, given the positive point direction observed for some variables and insignificant results for others, there is a need for more studies. We note the very high heterogeneity of outcomes and suggest caution in interpreting results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does the receipt of a cash transfer impact consumption of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in households? To answer this question, we use a randomized controlled trial dataset from Hunger Safety Net Program (HSNP) with 9,246 households spread across the four districts (Turkana, Marsabit, Wajir, and Mandera) of Kenya. In the experiment, HSNP treated households received a bi‐monthly cash transfer of about United States of America Dollar (USD) 20 relative to households in control sub‐locations. Using difference in‐difference specification, we find that HSNP poor beneficiary households in treated households increased (by approximately 96%, 50%, and 61%) the consumption of vitamins A, C, and beta carotene, respectively compared to those in control sub‐locations. Moreover, HSNP non‐poor, non‐beneficiary households residing in treated sub‐locations increased (by about 70% and 46%) the consumption of vitamin A and Beta carotene, respectively compared to those in control sub‐locations. In addition, HSNP‐poor beneficiary households in treated sub‐locations sourced most of their nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from the market. We rule out alternative pathways that could potentially increase consumption and conclude that a rise in consumption amongst HSNP non‐poor, non‐beneficiary households is due to sharing of HSNP transfer amongst social network members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides details on the annual climbing plant Benincasa hispida, a natural herb from the cucurbitaceae family.. The fruit is also called as winter gourd, ash gourd and kushmanda fruit. It is the most wellliked herb that is readily available to communities for medicinal and nutritional purposes. The phytochemical review indicates the presence of pentacyclic triterpene, flavonoids, volatile oils, bryonolic acid, alnusenol, multiflorenol, isomultiflorenol, lupeol, β-sitosterol etc. Benincasa hispida fruit is one of incredible fruit which can improve health, treat a variety of illnesses and prevent many more. Pharmacological studies have revealed that the Benincasa hispida plant is useful in the treatment of several nerve diseases, including peptic ulcer, diabetic mellitus, internal organ hemorrhages, jaundice, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease.. The review mainly focuses on the effect of the fruit Benincasa hispida's potential to treat alzheimer's disease.This article covers all relevant information regarding Benincasa hispida with both historical and contemporary examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ficus carica is a Moraceae family well-known healthy and extremely nutritious metabolites in leaf and seed which, breed on Indian tropic and subtropic regions. Fig leaves is more perceptive, high energy and rich in nutraceuticals. Leaf and Dried leaves have bitter, low sweet and fibrous in taste. Fig Carica leaves was possessing an herbal metabolic divergence in sustenance of phytochemicals. Ficus carica leaves are supports to sustainable blood pressure and lipids especially total cholesterol due to the presence of minerals, Poly unsaturated fatty acids and sugars. Ficus carica leaf is extracted by means of methanolchloroform using Soxhlet method followed by hydro distillation method. Furthermore, the present study is to conceive the phyto metabolic substrate raise predominately on glutamine, total phenols, flavonoid content, fatty acids, cholesterol and in amino acids, carotene beta, free fatty acids, alkaloids are decrease in phyotomic analysis. To conclude, the leaves of fig and dried part of cell, which have anti-inflammatory action, less insulin which leads to maintain blood sugar level, chemo preventive action against dementia and to improve Cardiac vascular diseases (CVD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are important bioactive substances in breast milk, the profile of which is seldom studied. This study aimed to explore the profile of carotenoids in breast milk and maternal/cord plasma of healthy mother–neonate pairs in Shanghai, China, and their correlation with dietary intake. Maternal blood, umbilical cord blood and breast milk samples from five lactation stages (colostrum, transitional milk and early-, mid- and late-term mature milk) were collected. Carotenoid levels were analysed by HPLC. Carotenoid levels in breast milk changed as lactation progressed (P < 0·001). β -Carotene was the primary carotenoid in colostrum. Lutein accounted for approximately 50 % of total carotenoids in transitional milk, mature milk and cord blood. Positive correlations were observed between five carotenoids in umbilical cord blood and maternal blood (P all < 0·001). β -Carotene levels were also correlated between maternal plasma and three stages of breast milk (r = 0·605, P < 0·001; r = 0·456, P = 0·011, r = 0·446; P = 0·013, respectively). Dietary carotenoid intakes of lactating mothers also differed across lactation stages, although no correlation with breast milk concentrations was found. These findings suggest the importance of exploring the transport mechanism of carotenoids between mothers and infants and help guide the development of formulas for Chinese infants as well as the nutritional diets of lactating mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to determine the effect of enzymatic pre-digestion of fermented palm kernel cake in the laying hen's diet on the performance production, nutrient digestibility, egg quality, and egg chemical content. Palm kernel cake (PKC) was added with 3% ammonium sulfate and then fermented by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 5 days (FPKC). The FPKC was hydrolyzed with mannanase to produce enzymatic pre-digestion of FPKC (EPFPKC). The study used a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 6 replications. The EPFPKC-containing diets were fed to 240 Lohmann Brown laying hens aged 19 weeks old for 3 months. The diets were D-1 (without EPFPKC), D-2 (5% EPFPKC), D-3 (10% EPFPKC), D-4 (15% EPFPKC), and D-5 (20% EPFPKC). Feed and drinking water were available at all times. Total fecal discharges were collected for three consecutive days to measure feed digestibility. The variables measured were feed digestibility, production performance, egg quality, lauric acid, cholesterol, and beta-carotene content of eggs. Data were analyzed with the variance analysis. The results showed that fermentation could increase the protein content of PKC and decrease the crude fiber content. The addition of EPFPKC in the diets increased dry matter, protein, and crude fiber digestibility and improved the quality of albumen and yolk during 28 days of storage at room temperature. Adding EPFPKC also increased the concentration of lauric acid and beta-carotene in eggs. In conclusion, the addition of 15% of enzymatic pre-digestion of fermented palm kernel cake (D-4) in the diet improves the quality of eggs stored for 28 days, and increases the concentration of lauric acid and beta carotene in eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato [Solanum lycopersicum L.] fruits are frequently picked at various growth stages from mature green towards red ripe stages, mainly based on the widely used visual grading schemes. Which in many cases are inaccurate, time intensive and do not support high-tech agriculture, which needs accurate classification of tomato fruit development and ripening. The present study was conducted to identify the diverse developmental stages of tomato fruits using biophysical and biochemical parameters combined with multivariate techniques. Results showed that among the genotypes considered, the biophysical parameters like length, width, biomass and firmness was in the range of 23.65–62.28 mm, 24.99–80.47 mm, 2.11–4.85 g/fruit, 1.67–4.43 kg/cm2, respectively. The biochemical parameters like total soluble solids, titratable acidity, beta carotene, ascorbic acid and lycopene content was in the range of 3.99–6.5°Brix, 0.38–0.59%, 1.83–12.06 ppm, 83.12–339 mg/100 g and 4.11–76.77 mg/100 g, respectively. Multivariate techniques like principal component analysis (PCA), Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), and discriminant analysis (DA) were used to develop a new index called Tomato Fruit Stage Index (TFSI), which could group the tomato fruits from different growth developmental stages into categories like immature green, mature green and ripening stages. The range of TFSI was found to be 0 to 1. TFSI was < 0.3 for immature green, 0.3–0.42 for mature green and > 0.42 for red ripe fruit stages. The validation of TFSI showed that it was effective (R2 = 0.985**) in identifying the fruit developmental stages and could be useful in future for routine categorisation and determination of the fruit developmental stages in tomato genotypes by the processing industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canthaxanthin is an important antioxidant with wide application prospects, and β-carotene ketolase is the key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of canthaxanthin. However, the challenge for the soluble expression of β-carotene ketolase is that it hinders the large-scale production of carotenoids such as canthaxanthin and astaxanthin. Hence, this study employed several strategies aiming to improve the soluble expression of β-carotene ketolase and its activity, including selecting optimal expression vectors, screening induction temperatures, adding soluble expression tags, and adding a molecular chaperone. Results showed that all these strategies can improve the soluble expression and activity of β-carotene ketolase in Escherichia coli. In particular, the production of soluble β-carotene ketolase was increased 8 times, with a commercial molecular chaperon of pG-KJE8, leading to a 1.16-fold enhancement in the canthaxanthin production from β-carotene. Interestingly, pG-KJE8 could also enhance the soluble expression of β-carotene ketolase derived from eukaryotic microalgae. Further research showed that the production of canthaxanthin and echinenone was significantly improved by as many as 30.77 times when the pG-KJE8 was added, indicating the molecular chaperone performed differently among different β-carotene ketolase. This study not only laid a foundation for further research on the improvement of β-carotene ketolase activity but also provided new ideas for the improvement of carotenoid production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer is characterized by high invasiveness, heterogeneity, and late diagnosis, leading to high incidence and mortality rates. It is a significant public health concern globally. Early prevention is crucial in reducing the occurrence of gastric cancer, and dietary prevention, particularly focusing on carotenoids, has been considered a convenient and effective approach. However, the association between carotenoid intake and gastric cancer incidence remains controversial. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases from inception to January 5, 2023. Two reviewers independently screened search results, extracted relevant data, and evaluated study quality. Statistical analysis was performed using the "metan" command in STATA 16 software. Random-effects or fixed-effects models were chosen based on the magnitude of heterogeneity among studies. Results: This study included a total of 35 publications, consisting of 23 case–control studies and 12 cohort studies. Meta-analysis of case–control studies showed that alpha-carotene (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55–0.92), beta-carotene (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.53–0.72), and lutein (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.69–0.97) significantly reduced the risk of gastric cancer, while beta-cryptoxanthin (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.75–1.04) and lycopene (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.73–1.00) showed no significant correlation. Meta-analysis of cohort studies indicated no significant associations between any of the five carotenoids and gastric cancer incidence (alpha-carotene: RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.54–1.23; beta-carotene: RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.64–1.16; beta-cryptoxanthin: RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.64–1.16; lutein: RR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.69–1.29; lycopene: RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.69–1.14). Conclusions: The relationship between carotenoids and gastric cancer incidence may vary depending on the type of study conducted. Considering that evidence from cohort studies is generally considered stronger than evidence from case–control studies, and high-quality randomized controlled trials show no significant association between carotenoids and gastric cancer incidence, current evidence does not support the supplementation of carotenoids for gastric cancer prevention. Further targeted research is needed to explore the association between the two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By maintaining a large number of local pepper genotypes, it is possible to preserve a large number of desirable genes that can be used in different pepper selection programs. The aim of this study was to classify a part of the collection of 15 genotypes (11 populations and 4 varieties originating from autochthonous populations) of peppers originating from Republic of Serbia. Morphological characteristics (weight, length, width, pericarp thickness, color before fruit ripening, shape and number of fruit chambers) and 10 phytochemical parameters of the fruit (carbohydrates, essential oils, ash, cellulose, beta carotene, potassium, iron, vitamin C, total phenols, antioxidant activity) were studied. Using statistical multivariate techniques (PCA and Cluster analysis), the degree of variation between local populations was assessed and diversity was determined based on the morphological and nutritional characteristics of pepper fruits. Morphological traits were determined using two main components that accounted for 70.3% of the variability. These components accounted for 49.8% of the variation in nutritional traits. The 'Čokotanka' population would be suitable for individual selection and reduced divergence within the population, since it has 6 tested traits that resulted in high diversity index. Populations 'Stojankina kletva', 'Lalić' and 'Strižanka' would be suitable for recombination of genes to improve the properties of individual selection programs for this vegetable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin (40, 80, and 120 µg/mL), β-carotene (5, 10, and 20 µg/mL), and TBHQ (200 µg/mL) were used to test how well they protected corn oil from oxidation under accelerated oxidation conditions. Linoleic acid has the highest amount (51.1 %), while linolenic acid has the lowest content (1.3%). Corn oil supplemented with 200 µg/mL TBHQ was shown to have the longest induction time (12.9 h) of the oils studied, followed by corn oil supplemented with 20 µg/mL β-carotene (11.78 h) and 40 µg/mL curcumin (11.53 h). Curcumin, and β-carotene showed greater antioxidant potential in all tested samples compared to the control in the accelerated storage experiment. Curcumin and β-carotene can potentially improve the shelf life of corn oil compared with TBHQ-200 µg/mL. It can be concluded that curcumin, and β-carotene were found to be effective antioxidants activity at 40, 80, and 120 µg/mL for curcumin and 5, 10, and 20 µg/mL for β-carotene, so TBHQ was not required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the yield and some quality characteristics of 20 beef tomato lines at the F6 stage. As a result, the total yield, average fruit weight, fruit length, and fruit width of the lines varied between 6.60-14.93 t/da, 200.80-384.00 g, 53.68-75.05 mm, and 71.95-98.29 mm respectively. Furthermore, it was found that the fruit flesh firmness values of the tomato lines used in the study varied between 0.41-1.32 kg/cm²; brix values between 6.10-9.60%; vitamin C values between 20.03-25.57 mg/100 g; total phenolic contents between 13.28-30.72 mg/100 g; lycopene contents between 4.69-9.68 mg/100 g and beta-carotene contents between 0.83-2.17 mg/100 g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The preparation of healthy foods and maintaining a standard body weight and shape may be challenging for people with low vision and blindness (i.e., visual impairments) without the assistance of a sighted person. The purpose of this study was to compare the nutrition-related characteristics of individuals with and without visual impairments. Methods: This study employed four public datasets provided by the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted between 2013 and 2016 at 1-year intervals. The selected datasets included a set of questions to assess the health and nutritional status, and 115 items from a food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment. A total of 260 respondents visual impairments and their counterparts (n = 260) were included in this study. Results: The mean age of individuals with visual impairments was 32.58 years (SD = 9.56) and 67.8% were women. They consumed excessive sodium and insufficient vitamin A, beta-carotene, and calcium, based on the recommendations for Korean adults' nutrition intake. In k -means clustering, two dietary patterns were identified among the respondents with visual impairments: Cluster 1 (n = 33) showed higher consumption of kimchi (t = 2.05, p =.046), beverages (t = 8.78, p <.001), sweets (t = 10.02, p <.001), and oil and nuts (t = 10.20, p <.001) than Cluster 2 (n = 227). Discussion: Robust quantitative research is required to establish the baseline nutrition profile of this marginalized population. The findings of this study support the need for interventions to address the unmet food and nutrition needs of individuals with visual disabilities. Implications for Practitioners: The information and education about healthy eating and balanced nutrient intake should be provided in an accessible format for people with visual impairments in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its high protein, fat, and mineral contents, fish contains trace amounts of carbohydrates and vitamins, notably vitamin A. The perishable nature of fresh fish makes it challenging to store for a prolonged time, necessitating the use of additives to enhance its shelf life, nutritional, and other quality aspects. Sweet potatoes are the preferred option to blend with fish due to their cost and abundance. This study aims to prepare fortified fish powder and make food products (chapatti) using it. Fish powder and sweet potato powder were prepared by drying them in an oven at 60°C and 45°C, respectively. The two dried samples were then ground and mixed in various ratios, followed by analyzing their nutritional and other parameters using standard methods. Vitamin A and beta‐carotene levels were analyzed using HPLC and UV–Vis spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The findings indicated that the outcomes displayed enhanced nutrition and extended storage capacity. The amount of beta‐carotene (876.12 ± 14.76 to 3182.4 ± 123.1 μg/100 g) and carbohydrates (4.49 ± 1.02 to 52.31 ± 0.21) increased. The packed fortified flour is safe for human consumption for up to 90 days, as per the International Commission for Microbiological Specifications for Foods. The chapatti made from fortified flour was also deemed acceptable by the panelists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant progressive decline in beta-carotene (βC) levels in the brain is associated with cognitive impairment and a higher prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we investigated whether the administration of 9-cis beta-carotene (9CBC)-rich powder of the alga Dunaliella bardawil , the best-known source of βC in nature, inhibits the development of AD-like neuropathology and cognitive deficits. We demonstrated that in 3 AD mouse models, Tg2576, 5xFAD, and apoE4, 9CBC treatment improved long- and short-term memory, decreased neuroinflammation, and reduced the prevalence of β-amyloid plaques and tau hyperphosphorylation. These findings suggest that 9CBC has the potential to be an effective preventive and symptomatic AD therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hypobetalipoproteinemia disorders are characterized by lipid malabsorption. • There is no guidance about carotenoid supplementation in hypobetalipoproteinemias. • Carotenoid absorption is impaired in cells mimicking patient enterocytes. • Carotenoid plasma levels are dramatically low in patients compared to controls. • Evaluation of patient carotenoid status may help guide treatment. Familial hypobetalipoproteinemias (FHBL) are rare genetic diseases characterized by lipid malabsorption. We focused on abetalipoproteinemia (FHBL-SD1) and chylomicron retention disease (FHBL-SD3), caused by mutations in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) and SAR1B genes, respectively. Treatments include a low-fat diet and high-dose fat-soluble vitamin supplementations. However, patients are not supplemented in carotenoids, a group of lipid-soluble pigments essential for eye health. Our aim was to evaluate carotenoid absorption and status in the context of hypobetalipoproteinemia. We first used knock-out Caco-2/TC7 cell models of FHBL-SD1 and FHBL-SD3 to evaluate carotenoid absorption. We then characterized FHBL-SD1 and FHBL-SD3 patient status in the main dietary carotenoids and compared it to that of control subjects. In vitro results showed a significant decrease in basolateral secretion of α- and β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin (-88.8 ± 2.2 % to -95.3 ± 5.8 %, -79.2 ± 4.4 % to -96.1 ± 2.6 %, -91.0 ± 4.5 % to -96.7 ± 0.3 % and -65.4 ± 3.6 % to -96.6 ± 1.9 %, respectively). Carotenoids plasma levels in patients confirmed significant deficiencies, with decreases ranging from –89 % for zeaxanthin to -98 % for α-carotene, compared to control subjects. Given the continuous loss in visual function despite fat-soluble vitamin treatment in some patients, carotenoid supplementation may be of clinical utility. Future studies should assess the correlation between carotenoid status and visual function in aging patients and investigate whether carotenoid supplementation could prevent their visual impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin A deficiency is a global health problem that disproportionately affects people in developing nations. It can cause serious health issues, such as immune system weakness and eyesight impairment. Transgenic technology has emerged as a possible way to address this issue by increasing the beta-carotene content of staple crops like rice, maize, and potatoes. Rice, maize, and potatoes are significant staple crops globally but are deficient in essential nutrients like vitamin A. Because of this, scientists have successfully inserted the genes needed to enhance beta-carotene into these crops using various genetic engineering techniques like CRISPR-Cas gene editing, biolistic transformation, and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, thereby providing a solution to vitamin A deficiency and malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to determine beta-carotene retention and acceptability of selected products made from two provitamin-A maize varieties grown in Malawi, namely, MH43A and MH44A. Beta-carotene retention in the provitamin-A maize products was determined by using a "completely randomised block design" (CRBD) whereby the maize varieties (replicates) were treated as fixed blocks, and similar treatments (analytical tests) were applied in each block. Acceptability of the provitamin-A maize products was determined in 6 to 23-month-old children and their caregivers using a cross-sectional design. Results showed that in three maize products, namely, porridge, maize meal, and fermented maize beverage, there was an increase in beta-carotene, with apparent retentions of 111.13%, 170.27%, and 138.22% for MH43A and 156.50%, 207.13%, and 126.17% for MH44A varieties, respectively. Results on pregerminated maize flour produced from MH43A and MH44A maize varieties showed lower beta-carotene apparent retention values of 63.3% and 84.7%, respectively. Results on acceptability showed that most of the caregivers (47.1%) preferred porridge prepared from MH43A flour compared to porridge prepared from MH44A (30.6%) and the control variety (MH26-white maize) (22.4%). For roasted maize, roasted white maize grains (49.6%) were more preferred compared to the two provitamin-A varieties. Results on acceptability with respect to children showed that most children (63.5% and 53.7%) who tested MH43A and MH44A porridge, respectively, consumed all the porridge. Results from this study have shown that there is a high acceptability of provitamin-A maize porridges amongst children prepared from MH43A (55.5%) and MH44A (51.9%) maize varieties. The study therefore recommends that provitamin-A maize varieties should be promoted through appropriate preparation methods that ensure high beta-carotene retention to address vitamin-A deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Newborns are susceptible to infectious disease, and early life represents a critical developmental window of the immune system, which is important for preventing and fighting disease. There is evidence that nucleotides, oligosaccharides and vitamins can positively influence immune function; however, the evidence that is specifically applicable to cats is limited. This current study fed domestic short hair kittens either a dry format control diet or a test diet fortified with nucleotides, short-chain fructooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides, β-carotene and vitamin E until the kittens reached 28 weeks of age. The kittens followed a routine preventative medication schedule for vaccination and a suite of health, metabolism and immune parameters were measured at regular intervals throughout the study. All kittens remained healthy and did not display any clinically relevant signs of adverse health. Antibodies are produced following infection or vaccination. The level of antibody, the proportion of kittens who demonstrated an acceptable response to vaccination and the proportion of kittens who reached the recognised protective level of antibody were greater in kittens fed the test diet. The test diet group demonstrated a stronger antibody-mediated response to vaccination. Antibodies play a role in preventing disease; thus, this suggests that the test diet supports immune defence against immune challenges. Nucleotides, short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS), β-carotene and vitamin E are reported to enhance immune function; however, the evidence of this in cats is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the immunomodulatory effects of these ingredients in kittens. Forty domestic short hair kittens were designated in litters to control or test diet for 28 weeks. Test diet was fortified with 0.33 g nucleotides, 0.45 g scFOS, 0.3 g XOS, 0.7 mg β-carotene and 66.5 mg vitamin E per 100 g diet. Kittens were vaccinated against feline parvovirus (FPV) and herpesvirus (FHV) at 10, 14 and 18 weeks. Kittens remained healthy, with no measured evidence of adverse health. Serum FPV and FHV antibody titres were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the test diet group at week 23 and 27, respectively. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion of test diet group kittens demonstrated an adequate response (four-fold titre increase) to FHV vaccination and a significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion reached a protective antibody titre for FHV. Serum IgM was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the test diet group. The test diet group demonstrated a stronger humoral immune response to vaccination, suggesting the diet supports immune defence, enabling a greater response to immune challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Modern sows have an elevated metabolic rate, which can result in oxidative stress and impair reproductive performance. From this study, it is clear that dietary supplementation of beta-carotene can mitigate oxidative damage during lactation and increase piglet weight at weaning. When used from the beginning of gestation, beta-carotene supplementation also results in a greater number of weaned piglets and higher weaning weight. The rapid fetal development and the increased demand for milk result in a catabolic state and oxidative stress in hyperprolific sows. Despite animal defense mechanisms, the dietary supplementation of antioxidants is being evaluated to reduce the impacts of excess free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of beta-carotene supplementation for sows on the reproductive response and performance of suckling piglets. A total of 120 sows were distributed in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement of three supplementation levels (B0–no supplementation, B200–200 mg beta-carotene/day and B400–400 mg beta-carotene/day) and four groups of parity order (1st, 2nd, 3rd, above 4th). Beta-carotene supplementation during lactation resulted in a higher litter weight at weaning. A higher average weight of piglets and litter weight at birth were observed, as well as a greater number of piglets weaned and litter weight at weaning in sows supplemented with 400 mg of beta-carotene during gestation and lactation periods. Supplementation with 200 and 400 mg of beta-carotene resulted in a greater weight at weaning and daily weight gain in piglets. Daily supplementation with 400 mg of beta-carotene in the prepartum and lactation phases provides a greater litter weight at weaning and, when supplemented in the pre-gestation and gestation periods, results in a greater litter weight at birth and at weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Despite the availability of various treatment options, FM remains a challenging condition to manage. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of formulated nanodispersions of lutein and beta-carotene in treating FM-related symptoms induced by reserpine in female Wistar rats. Several techniques have been implemented to assess this efficacy at various levels, including biochemical, bioelectrical, and behavioral. Namely, oxidative stress markers, monoamine levels, electrocorticography, pain threshold test, and open field test were conducted on control, FM-induced, and FM-treated groups of animals. Our results provided compelling evidence for the efficacy of carotenoid nanodispersions in treating FM-related symptoms. Specifically, we found that the dual action of the nanodispersion, as both antioxidant and antidepressant, accounted for their beneficial effects in treating FM. With further investigation, nano-carotenoids and particularly nano-lutein could potentially become an effective alternative treatment for patients with FM who do not respond to current treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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β-carotene is a powerful antioxidant and dietary precursor of vitamin A whose role in maintaining mental health and cognitive performance, either alone or in combination with other dietary compounds, has been a topic of recent research. However, its effectiveness is still unclear. This systematic review, conducted according to the PRISMA guideline and assisted by the MySLR platform, addressed this issue. A total of 16 eligible original research articles were identified. Dietary intake or β-carotene serum levels were associated with improved measures of cognitive function in 7 out of 10 epidemiological studies included. In intervention studies, β-carotene consumption alone did not promote better cognitive function in the short term, but only in a long-term intervention with a mean duration of 18 years. However, all but one intervention study suggested the beneficial effects of β-carotene supplementation at doses ranging from 6 mg to 50 mg per day in combination with a multicomplex such as vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc, or selenium for a period of 16 weeks to 20 years. Despite the current limitations, the available evidence suggests a potential association between β-carotene dietary/supplementary intake and the maintenance of cognitive function. The β-carotene most probably does not act alone but in synergy with other micronutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed the potential protective effects of curcumin (CUR) and beta-carotene (BC) against cisplatin (CIS)-induced ovarian damage using histological and immunohistochemical methods. Materials and Methods: We used 56 female Wistar albino rats, divided randomly into seven groups. Control rats did not receive any treatment; the sham group was administered 1 ml/kg sesame oil by gavage; the CIS group 5 mg/kg CIS; the CUR group 200 mg/kg CUR; the BC group 100 mg/kg BC; the CUR + CIS group, CIS after administration of CUR; the BC + CIS group was pretreated with BC, then administered CIS. The ovaries of all groups were excised five days after the last application. We assessed histopathology and counted and classified follicles. Expression of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was detected immunohistochemically. Apoptosis was evaluated using the TUNEL method. Results: CUR and BC are protective against decreased numbers of primordial, primary, preantral, secondary, and tertiary follicles caused by CIS. Both Cur and BC reduced ovarian NF-κB levels in comparison to the control group, and AMH immunoreactivity was almost identical for the control and CUR + CIS groups. Apoptotic cell counts indicated that CUR exerts a stronger anti-apoptotic effect than BC. Conclusion: CUR has a protective effect against ovarian damage brought on by CIS and greater antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties than BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]