The influence of powdery mildew infection on photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid content of three woody plant species

The effect of powdery mildew development on photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations on three woody plants frequently planted in urban environments was studied. Rates of photosynthetic CO2 fixation were rapidly reduced in two of the three genotypes tested prior to visible signs of infection. Effects on chlorophyll fluorescence (Fo, Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm), leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid content were not manifest until >25 per cent of the leaf area was observed to be covered by mycelial growth indicating reduced photo-synthetic rates during the early stages of infection were not due to degradation of the leaf chloroplast structure. Observation of the fluorescence transient (OJIP curves) showed powdery mildew infection impairs photosynthetic electron transport system by reducing the size but not heterogeneity of the plastoquninone pool, effecting both the acceptor and donor side of photosystem II. Impairment of the photosynthetic electron transport system was reflected by reduced values of a performance index used in this investigation as a measure of photochemical events within photosystem II electron transport. In addition interpretation of the fluorescence data indicated powdery mildew infection may impair the photo-protective process that facilitates the dissipation of excess energy within leaf tissue.

Carotenoid production by Rhodotorula rubra cultivated in sugarcane juice, molasses, and syrup

A produção de biomassa e de carotenoides por Rhodotorula rubra foi estudada em meios à base de caldo, melaço e xarope de cana. Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação dos meios com nitrogênio na forma de ureia ou do nutriente comercial Nitrofos KL. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, no esquema fatorial 3 × 3, sendo um dos fatores o substrato (caldo, melaço e xarope) e o outro a suplementação (controle, ureia e Nitrofos KL). Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. As maiores produções de massa seca de levedura foram obtidas no meio à base de melaço suplementado com ureia ou Nitrofos KL (15,09 e 14,87 g/L, respectivamente). A produção de carotenoides intracelular foi elevada em todos os meios estudados sem suplementação (0,329 mg/g). Para a produção volumétrica, o melhor meio foi o melaço (2,74 mg/L), enquanto a suplementação com ureia e com Nitrofos KL produziu 2,55 e 2,32 mg/L, respectivamente. Os principais carotenoides produzidos foram toruleno, torularrodina e β-caroteno. No meio à base de caldo de cana sem suplementação, houve o menor consumo de carboidratos, enquanto que o meio com suplementação à base de ureia obteve o maior consumo.

Effect of thermal pasteurization and concentration on carotenoid composition of Brazilian Valencia orange juice

Changes in carotenoid pigment content of Brazilian Valencia orange juices due to thermal pasteurization and concentration were studied. Total carotenoid pigment content loss was not significant after thermal pasteurization and concentration. However, thermal effects on carotenoid pigment contents, especially violaxanthin and lutein, were clearly observed and significant (P < 0.05). Pasteurization reduced the content of violaxanthin by 38% and lutein by 20%. The concentration process resulted in loss of lutein (17%). With the loss of lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin became the major carotenoid in the pasteurized and concentrated juices. The provitarnin A content of the juice (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin) and the amount of zeaxanthin, which are considered to be active against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, did not significantly decrease after pasteurization and concentration. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Major carotenoid composition of Brazilian Valencia orange juice: Identification and quantification by HPLC

The carotenoid composition of Brazilian Valencia orange juice was determined by open column chromatography (OCC) and high-performance liquid chromatography. Carotenoid pigments were extracted using acetone and saponified using 10% methanolic potassium hydroxide. Sixteen pigments were isolated by OCC and identified as alpha-carotene, zeta-carotene, beta-carotene, alpha-cryptoxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein-5,6-epoxide, violaxanthin, lutein, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, luteoxanthin A, luteoxanthin B, mutatoxanthin A, mutatoxanthin B, auroxanthin B and trollichrome B. Thirteen carotenoid pigments were separated using a ternary gradient (acetonitrile-methanol-ethyl acetate) elution on a C-18 reversed-phase column. Among these, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene were quantified. The total carotenoid content was 12 +/- 6.7 mg/1, and the major carotenoids were lutein (23%), beta-cryptoxanthin (21%), and zeaxanthin (20%). 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Updated Brazilian database on food carotenoids: Factors affecting carotenoid composition

This article updates the Brazilian database on food carotenoids. Emphasis is on carotenoids that have been demonstrated important to human health: alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. The sampling and sample preparation strategies and the analytical methodology are presented. Possible sources of analytical errors, as well as the measures taken to avoid them, are discussed. Compositional variation due to such factors as variety/cultivar, stage of maturity, part of the plant utilized, climate or season and production technique are demonstrated. The effects of post-harvest handling, preparation, processing and storage of food on the carotenoid composition are also discussed. The importance of biodiversity is manifested by the variety of carotenoid sources and the higher levels of carotenoids in native, uncultivated or semi-cultivated fruits and vegetables in comparison to commercially produced crops. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Total and individual carotenoid profiles in Solanum phureja of cultivated potatoes: I. Concentrations and relationships as determined by spectrophotometry and HPLC

Total and individual carotenoid concentrations were determined by spectro photometry and HPLC, in raw tubers of a sample of 23 accessions of Solanum phureja potatoes taken at random from the world germplasm collection following its stratification on tuber flesh color. Lutein, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and beta-carotene were detected in all accessions and three distinct patterns of carotenoid accumulation were evidenced by cluster analysis. Accessions in group 1 showed the highest concentrations of total carotenoids (1258-1840 mu g 100 g(-1) FW) comprised largely of zeaxanthin (658-1290 mu g 100 g(-1) FW) with very low or no presence of beta-carotene (below 5.4 mu g 100 g(-1) FW). Accessions in group 2 presented moderate total carotenoid concentrations with violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin as the major carotenoids. Accessions in group 3 showed low concentrations of total carotenoids (97-262 mu g 100 g(-1) FW) and very low or no zeaxanthin, with lutein and violaxanthin as the predominant carotenoids and relatively high concentrations of beta-carotene(up to 27 mu g 100 g(-1) FW). Five accessions with significant concentrations of zeaxanthin were identified with the accession 703566 showing the highest concentration (1290 p g 100 g(-1) FW). This value is to our knowledge higher than any value previously reported for potatoes, including those achieved through genetic modification. For the 23 S. phureja accessions, total carotenoid concentration was positively and significantly correlated with antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin concentrations, and negatively and significantly correlated with beta-carotene concentration. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Site-specific concentrations of carotenoids in adipose tissue: relations with dietary and serum carotenoid concentrations in healthy adults

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Correlation between carotenoid concentrations in serum and normal breast adipose tissue of women with benign breast tumor or breast cancer

To evaluate the relationship between carotenoid concentrations in serum and breast tissue, we measured serum carotenoid concentrations and endogenous carotenoid levels in breast adipose tissue of women with benign breast tumor (n = 46) or breast cancer (n = 44). Before extraction, serum was digested with lipase and cholesterol esterase, and breast adipose tissue was saponified. Serum and tissue carotenoids were extracted with ether/hexane and measured by using HPLC with a C30 column. Serum retinoic acid was extracted with chloroform/methanol and measured using HPLC with a C18 column. There were no significant differences in serum carotenoids [lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin (both α- and β-), α-carotene, all-trans β-carotene, 13-cis β-carotene and lycopene], retinoids (retinol, all-trans and 13-cis retinoic acids), and α- and -γ- tocopherol concentrations between benign breast tumor patients and breast cancer patients. A substantial amount of 9-cis β- carotene was present in adipose tissue and was the only carotenoid that had a significantly lower level in benign breast tumor patients than in breast cancer patients. Correlations between carotenoid concentrations in serum and in breast adipose tissue were determined by combining the data of the two groups. Concentrations of the major serum carotenoids except cryptoxanthin showed significant correlations with breast adipose tissue carotenoid levels. When the concentrations of serum carotenoids were adjusted for serum triglycerides or LDL, correlations between serum carotenoid concentrations and breast adipose tissue carotenoid levels markedly increased, including that of cryptoxanthin (P <0.001). The strong correlation between serum carotenoid concentrations and endogenous breast adipose tissue carotenoid levels indicate that dietary intake influences adipose tissue carotenoid levels as well as serum concentrations, and that adipose tissue is a dynamic reservoir of fat-soluble nutrients.

Postprandial plasma carotenoid responses following consumption of strawberries, red wine, vitamin C or spinach by elderly women

This study investigated the postprandial plasma responses of carotenoids for 24 h after feeding five specific breakfast beverages; four of which had low or no carotenoid content. In seven fasting healthy elderly female subjects a blood sample (baseline) was obtained, after which they were given a breakfast beverage, containing one of the following: 1) strawberries (240 g); 2) ascorbic acid (1250 mg); 3) spinach (294 g); 4) red wine (300 mL); and 5) control (breakfast beverage only). Blood samples were collected at 0.5, 1, 4, 7, 11, 15 and 24 h. Plasma carotenoids were measured using HPLC. No significant differences were found in the levels of the plasma carotenoids measured among the various treatments at baseline. In the spinach treatment, plasma lutein, zeaxanthin and β-carotene levels at 7, 11, 15 and 24 h were significantly higher than those at baseline, as expected. All of the carotenoids measured in the control and vitamin C treatments, at subsequent sampling times were not significantly different from those at baseline. However, for most carotenoids, strawberry and red wine feeding resulted in significantly lower carotenoids values from baseline at 11 and 15 h. Subjects who received a diet with low levels of carotenoids, but whose postprandial plasma levels of carotenoids remain steady, might be explained by a mechanism that promotes secretion of carotenoids into the circulation. Assuming that plasma carotenoids are being used over time, we hypothesize that strawberries and red wine contain some substances that interfere with the secretion of carotenoids into the circulation.

Endogenous carotenoid concentrations in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues of gastric cancer patients in Korea

Carotenoid concentrations were measured in serum and in both non-cancerous and cancerous gastric mucosal tissues of Korean patients with gastric cancer (n = 18). Carotenoids in serum and gastric tissue were extracted with chloroform/methanol (2:1), and measured using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with a C30 column. Cryptoxanthin and β-carotene were the major carotenoids in the Korean blood and they had a median ratio of non-cancerous tissue/serum levels which was less than 1.0. No significant differences of Cryptoxanthin and β-carotene levels were found between non-cancerous and cancerous tissues. After incubation of β-carotene with gastric tissue, significantly higher levels of β-carotene breakdown products were produced in the homogenates of cancerous tissue when compared with non-cancerous tissue. Lutein, zeaxanthin and α-carotene were the minor carotenoid constituents in the blood and their median ratio of non-cancerous tissue/serum levels was greater than 1.0. Cancerous tissue had significantly lower levels of lutein, zeaxanthin and α-carotene than did non-cancerous tissue. It appears that the increased breakdown of β-carotene and cryptoxanthin in cancerous tissue can be compensated for by an increased uptake of circulating carotenoids by cancerous tissue, whereas lutein, zeaxanthin and α-carotene levels in cancerous tissue are not able to be maintained.

Carotenoid composition of hydroponic leafy vegetables

Because hydroponic production of vegetables is becoming more common, the carotenoid composition of hydroponic leafy vegetables commercialized in Campinas, Brazil, was determined. All samples were collected and analyzed in winter. Lactucaxanthin was quantified for the first time and was found to have concentrations similar to that of neoxanthin in the four types of lettuce analyzed. Lutein predominated in cress, chicory, and roquette (75.4 ± 10.2, 57.0 ± 10.3, and 52.2 ± 12.6 μg/g, respectively). In the lactucaxanthin-containing lettuces, β-carotene and lutein were the principal carotenoids (ranging from 9.9 ± 1.5 to 24.6 ± 3.1 μg/g and from 10.2 ± 1.0 to 22.9 ± 2.6 μg/g, respectively). Comparison of hydroponic and field-produced curly lettuce, taken from neighboring farms, showed that the hydroponic lettuce had significantly lower lutein, β-carotene, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin contents than the conventionally produced lettuce. Because the hydroponic farm had a polyethylene covering, less exposure to sunlight and lower temperatures may have decreased carotenogenesis.

Carotenoid composition of Brazilian fruits and vegetables

Brazil has a wide diversity of food sources of carotenoids. The updated Brazilian database consists of more than 270 items of fruits, vegetables and their prepared and processed products. The database demonstrates variations due to variety, maturity, production technique, climate and processing. Many of these foods are not found in the US and European databases. Good to rich sources (>20 μg/g) of β-carotene are: acerola, bocaiúva, mango 'Extreme' and tucumã. Sources of both α-carotene and β-carotene are buriti, carrot, Cucurbita moschata 'Menina Brasileira', 'Baianinha' and 'Goianinha', and red palm oil. Commercially produced and uncultivated or semi-cultivated leafy vegetables, C. maxima 'Jerimum Caboclo' and the hybrid Tetsukabuto, cooked broccoli are sources of lutein and β-carotene. The edible Tropaeolum majus flower is especially rich in lutein. Although many fruits have β-cryptoxanthin as principal carotenoid (e.g. caja, nectarine, peach, orange-fleshed papaya, tree tomato), the levels are below 20 μg/g. Good to rich sources of lycopene are guava and guava products, papaya, pitanga and pitanga juice, tomato and tomato products, and watermelon. Sources of zeaxanthin are rare; although the principal carotenoid of piqui, the amount is low, lower than that found in buriti.

Chronic alcohol intake upregulates hepatic expression of carotenoid cleavage enzymes and PPAR in rats

Excessive and chronic alcohol intake leads to a lower hepatic vitamin A status by interfering with vitamin A metabolism. Dietary provitamin A carotenoids can be converted into vitamin A mainly by carotenoid 15,15′-monooxygenase 1 (CMO1) and, to a lesser degree, carotenoid 9′10′-monooxygenase 2 (CMO2). CMO1 has been shown to be regulated by several transcription factors, such as the PPAR, retinoid X receptor, and thyroid receptor (TR). The regulation of CMO2 has yet to be identified. The impact of chronic alcohol intake on hepatic expressions of CMO1 and CMO2 and their related transcription factors are unknown. In this study, Fischer 344 rats were pair-fed either a liquid ethanol Lieber-DeCarli diet (n = 10) or a control diet (n = 10) for 11 wk. Hepatic retinoid concentration and expressions of CMO1, CMO2, PPARγ, PPARα, and TRβ as well as plasma thyroid hormones levels were analyzed. We observed that administering alcohol decreased hepatic retinoid levels but increased mRNA concentrations of CMO1, CMO2, PPARγ, PPARα, and TRβ and upregulated protein levels of CMO2, PPARγ, and PPARα. There was a positive correlation of PPARγ with CMO1(r = 0.89; P<0.0001) and both PPARγ and PPARα with CMO2 (r = 0.72, P< 0.001 and r = 0.62, P< 0.01, respectively). Plasma thyroid hormone concentrations did not differ between the control rats and alcohol-fed rats. This study suggests that chronic alcohol intake significantly upregulates hepatic expression of CMO1 and, to a much lesser extent, CMO2. This process may be due to alcohol-induced PPARγ expression and lower vitamin A status in the liver. © 2010 American Society for Nutrition.