Applicability of in Vitro Models in Predicting the in Vivo Bioavailability of Lycopene and β-Carotene from Differently Processed Soups

Presently, there is no clear consensus on the best approach to estimate carotenoid bioavailability. The best alternative would be to use human studies, but they are labour-intensive and expensive and can only be used to investigate a limited number of samples. Hence, a number of in vitro: models have been developed to study pre-absorptive processes and factors affecting bioavailability. The question is, however, how well the results obtained by the various methods correlate to each other and to the in vivo situation. In the present paper, we have compared in vivo data from two human studies on differently processed soups containing carrots, tomato and broccoli, with results obtained by in vitro characterisation of the same soups. In vitro bioaccessibility was estimated by a static in vitro digestion investigating matrix release and micellarization of carotenoids and by uptake studies in a human intestinal cell line (Caco-2). In vivo data was obtained from clinical studies measuring total plasma carotenoid concentrations in human subjects after 4 weeks daily consumption of the soups. Comparison of the in vitro and in vivo results indicate that the combination of a two-step in vitro digestion and Caco-2 cells seems to be a useful tool for estimation of β-carotene bioaccessibility and screening of factors governing the release of β-carotene from this type of food. For lycopene the in vitro and in vivo results were less consistent, suggesting that reliable prediction of lycopene bioavailability might be more problematic.

Selection of Parents for Breeding Edible Varieties of Sweetpotato with High Carotene Content

Sweetpotato varieties with high carotene content have high value for human health. This work aims to improve the breeding efficiency of special varieties with high carotene content by combining molecular markers and agronomic traits to evaluate and screen the parents. The cluster analysis was carried out to identify and screen promising parents by utilizing phenotypic results of the agronomic and characteristic traits, and RAPD and ISSR markers of 15 parents and their offspring by group crossing. Among different parental materials, greater variations were observed in two important traits, the carotene content and the storage root yield. Negative correlation was found between the carotene content and both fresh and dried root yields. The most significant positive correlation was between the carotene content of parents and that of their offspring, with the coefficient of correlation value of 0.7932＊＊. The relationship based on the agronomic characters of the trial materials was not in agreement with the known genealogy, while that based on the molecular marker data showed better result. Each primer amplified 13.8 bands oflSSR markers on average, in which the rate of polymorphic loci was 89.6%. 9.4 bands of RAPD markers were arnplified per primer, in which the rate of polymorphic bands was 74.46%. Large genetic variation of carotene content was found among the parents. For analyzing the genetic diversity of sweetpotato, the molecular marker methods were better than morphological traits; ISSR markers were more efficient than RAPD markers. The combination of molecular markers and agronomic trait analysis may provide valuable theoretic basis for selection of parents to breed new varieties with high carotene content.

AN INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERACTION MECHANISM OF β-CAROTENE WITH HALOGEN ATOM PRODUCED IN HALOBENZENE BY UV IRRADIATION

ESR measurements using spin trapping technique were carried out for β-carotene-halobenzene system under UV light irradiation.The ESR spectra observed in the presence and in the absence of β-carotene are markedly different.The possible scheme of β-carotene interacting with halogen atom was proposed.

Consumption Pattern of Carotene Rich Foods and Development of a Year Calendar

Consumption pattern of beta carotene rich foods from 500 households of Coimbatore district was elicited. Through market surveys in four seasons namely: summer, south-west monsoon, north-east monsoon and winter, a year calendar of beta carotene rich foods was developed. The total and beta carotene contents of five commonly consumed beta carotene rich foods both in raw and cooked states were determined. Results indicated that greens were mainly purchased from market and consumed 2-3 times per week. Cooking loss was maximum in boiling and minimum in shallow fat frying. Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii),amaranth tender (Amaranthus gangeticus), agathi (Sesbania grandopra), and ponnanganni (Alternanthera sessilis) were the carotene rich foods available round the year. Cost of most greens was highest in summer and lowest in north-east monsoon. Within a cost of 13-14 ps in summer, 4-10 ps in south-west monsoon and north-west monsoon and 4-12 ps in winter season, the entire day's requirement of beta carotene (2400μg) could be obtained in the form of agathi/amaranth throughout the year: in the form of drumstick leaves and mint in south-west monsoon; as curry leaves and coriander leaves in winter and as agathi,paruppukeerai and amaranth in summer. From this year calendar, according to seasonal availability and cost, low-cost high carotene foods can be selected and used for increasing the beta carotene intake in the intervention programmes and in the community

Genotype x Environment Interaction of Carotene Content of Yellow-Fleshed Cassava Genotypes in Nigeria

Cassava is an important starchy root crop and a major staple for more than 70 million people in Nigeria. New yellow-fleshed genotypes are being developed to combat vitamin A deficiency. Trials of 18 yellow-fleshed genotypes and two officially released white-fleshed clones, used as checks for 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons in five major cassava growing agroecological zones of Nigeria. The trial locations were Ikenne （humid forest）, Ibadan （forest-savanna transition）, Ubiaja （subhumid forest）, Mokwa （southern Guinea savanna） and Zaria （northern Guinea savanna）. At each location, the trial was established in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The objective of the study was to assess genotype performance and genotype ~ environment interaction for total carotene concentration （TCC）, total carotene content per root （TC-R）, and total carotene content per plant （TC-P）. Significant differences （P 〈 0.001） among genotypes, environments and genotype x environment interaction for all the traits evaluated were observed. For TCC, TC-R and TC-P, the best genotypes across the 10 environments were TMS I051601, TMS 1050311, and TMS 1050998. Variation among genotypes accounted for most of the Total Sum of Squares for TCC （67.9%）, TC-R （39.0%） and TC-P （35.9%）. These characteristics of total carotene were also highly correlated. This study revealed that cassava with total carotene concentration can be assessed using either the TCC, or the TC-R, or the TC-P.

The P450-type carotene hydroxylase PuCHY1 from Porphyra suggests the evolution of carotenoid metabolism in red algae

Carotene hydroxylases catalyze the hydroxylation of a- and β-carotene hydrocarbons into xanthophylls.In red algae,β-carotene is a ubiquitously distributed carotenoid,and hydroxylated carotenoids such as zeaxanthin and lutein are also found.However,no enzyme with carotene hydroxylase activity had been previously identified in red algae.Here,we report the isolation of a gene encoding a cytochrome P450-type carotene hydroxylase（PuCHY1） from Porphyra umbilicalis,a red alga with an ancient origin.Sequence comparisons found PuCHY1 belongs to the CYP97 B subfamily,which has members from different photosynthetic organisms ranging from red algae to land plants.Functional complementation in Escherichia coli suggested that PuCHY1 catalyzed the conversion from β-carotene to zeaxanthin.When we overexpressed PuCHYi in the Arabidopsis thaliana chy2 mutant,pigment analysis showed a significant accumulation of hydroxylated carotenoids,including neoxanthin,violaxanthin,and lutein in the leaves of transgenic plants.These results confirmed a β-hydroxylation activity of PuCHY1,and also suggested a possible ε-hydroxylation function.The pigment profile and gene expression analyses of the algal thallus under high-light stress suggested that P.umbilicalis is unlikely to operate a partial xanthophyll cycle for photoprotection.

Resonance Raman Spectra of Purified PS Ⅱ Core Antenna Complexes CP43 and CP47

PSⅡ core antenna complexes, CP43 and CP47, were purified from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) by DEAE Fractogel TSK 650S anion exchange chromatography. Their normal temperature (298 K) resonance Raman spectra were measured. The results suggest that all β carotenoids bound to CP43 and CP47 are in all trans configuration and likely in twisted conformations.

Interaction of genotype and environment effects on important traits of cassava(Manihot esculenta Crantz)

General and specific environmental adaptation of genotypes is the main goal of breeders.However, genotype-by-environment(G x E) interaction complicates the identification of genotypes for release. This study aimed at analyzing the effects of G x E interaction on the expression of important cassava traits using two multivariate analyses: additive main effects and multiplicative interaction(AMMI) and genotype stability index(GSI). Total carotene content(TCC), postharvest physiological deterioration(PPD), and reaction to viral diseases were significantly affected by G x E interaction effects. The low percent(%)variation due to genotype for cassava brown streak disease(GBSD) explained the influence of environment on CBSD expression. The % variation due to genotype for TCC was higher(96%) than variation due to environment(1.7%) and G x E interaction(2.4%) indicating a low interaction effect of environment on TCC accumulation. The % variation due to genotype was higher than % variation due to environment for all traits but CBSD root necrosis and CBSD on stems, indicating the influence of environment on the severity of the viral diseases. These findings indicate that screening for disease resistance requires multi-environment trials, whereas a single-environment trial suffices to screen for total carotene content.

EFFECT OF NH4-NON THE PIGMENT CONTENT OF LAMINARIA JAPONICA

Experiments with Lamnaria japonica were conducted in Meidao Bay and Pier Bay,Qingdao,China,Nitrogen-starved plants were fertilized intermittently with 7.1 mM NH4-N solution for 1 hour at 3 day intervals, after which chlorophyll a, fucoxanthin, chlorophyll c and B-carotene contents were analyzed. Photosynthetic and growth rates of plants and nitrogen content of seawater were determined. Photosynthetic and growth rates of the nitrogen-enriched plants were higher than those of the controls, and their contents of chlorophyll a, fucoxanthin, chlorophyll c and B-carotene were 1.65,0.67,0.33 and 0.06 mg . dm-2 respectively, or 2.46,2.03,1.86 and 1.81 times those of the controls. The ratio of fiicoxanthin to chlorophyll a in nitrogen-enriched plants was lower than that of the controls. Normal growth rate of the plants (2 cm.day-1 in length)were reached when the chlorophyll a content exceeded 0.1 mg.g-1 fresh wt., indicating that chlorophyll a content can serve as an indicator of normal growth.Experimental

Post-Infectional Biochemical Changes in <i>Cymbopogon martinii</i>(Roxb.) Wats and <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>(DC) Stapf. Due to Leaf Rust Disease

Post-infectional changes in sugars, ascorbic acid, protein, phenols, chlorophyll and carotene of two Cymbopogons viz., Cymbopogon martinii and Cymbopogon citratus due to leaf rust caused by Puccinia nakanishikii (Diet) were investigated. All the biochemical constituents decreased in plants infected by the fungal pathogen.

Comparison of Antioxidant Activity and Antioxidant Components in Lettuce, Onion and Tomato Obtained with Different Levels and Forms of Nitrogen Fertilization

The effect of N levels and sources on the antioxidant components in vegetable is not completely understood. Therefore, greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the changes in antioxidant capacity diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH） and ferric reducing antioxidant power （FRAP）, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, total carotene and lycopene contents in edible portions of lettuce, onion and tomato due to different nitrogen levels and sources. The experiment included three N levels （20, 40 and 60 kg/ha for lettuce trial and 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha for either onion or tomato） and four nitrogen sources （calcium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and urea）. The antioxidant capacity and phenolic contents in lettuce was enhanced under low nitrogen level, while the antioxidant capacities, phenolics, carotenoids and lycopene in tomato fruits were not significantly affected by the nitrogen dose applied. Application of calcium nitrate caused 50% increase in DPPH and 20% in FRAP of lettuce compared to other nitrogen forms. Tomato treated with calcium nitrate or ammonium sulphate had higher phenolic and ascorbic acid contents than treated plants with ammonium nitrate or urea. Antioxidant tested parameters of onion were not significantly affected by the nitrogen treatments. Nitrogen concentration in tomato fruits significantly correlated with FRAP antioxidant capacity, phenolics, ascorbic acid, carotene and lycopene contents.

Carrot Juice

The bottled carrot juice produced by the Kuming Hongda Foodstuffs Corporation is a quality natural drink that uses the best quality, carotene-rich carrots as the main ingredient and advanced high temperature and instantaneously sterilizing technology. The nutrition, taste and colour of carrots are preserved in the juice as

Variability in total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant leaf pigments and foliage yield of vegetable amaranth

Twenty vegetable amaranth genotypes were evaluated for total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant leaf pigments, vitamins, and selection of suitable genotypes for extraction of juice in a randomized complete block design（RCBD） with three replications. Vegetable amaranth was rich in chlorophyll, β-cyanins, β-xanthins, betalains, carotene, ascorbic acid and total antioxidant. The genotypes VA14, VA16, VA18, VA15, and VA20 could be selected as amaranth vegtable varieties with high yields and abundance antioxidant leaf pigments and vitamins to produce juice. The genotypes VA13 and VA19 had above-average foliage yield and high antioxidant profiles while the genotypes VA2, VA3, VA9, VA11, VA12, and VA17 had a high antioxidant profiles and below-average foliage yield. These genotypes could be used as a donor parent for integration of potential high antioxidant profiles genes into other genotypes. The correlation study revealed a strong positive association among all the antioxidant leaf pigments, total antioxidant capacity and foliage yield. Selection based on total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant leaf pigments could economically viable to improve the yield potential of vegetable amaranth genotypes. Total carotene and ascorbic acid exhibited insignificant genotypic correlation with all the traits except total antioxidant capacity. This indicates that selection for antioxidant vitamins might be possible without compromising yield loss.

Color of Corn Grains and Carotenoid Profile of Importance for Human Health

The increasing on the levels of carotenoids in staple foods of broad human consumption is one of the strategies of food biofortification programs, mainly due to the importance of these compounds to human health on the prevention of vitamin A deficiency. Maize is a major staple food due to its high consumption in regions where problems of Vitamin A deficiency are of great relevance. Maize biofortification programs have made progress in determining the amounts of carotenoids in grain of thousands of accesses. This work aimed at studying the influence of the color of the grains in the profile of carotenoids in four different Brazilian genotypes. The selection of ears within the same genotype was based on a color scale, considering the lighter (lightest yellow) in one group and the most colorful (darkest orange) in another group. Significant interactions (p 0.05) between the color of the grains and the genotypes for all the variables were detected in addition to genetic variability for both groups (lightest yellow and darkest orange). The colored ears of corn showed a high level of total carotenoids (TC) and fractions in RS 535 and RS 445, and the colorful ears of genotype RS 535 showed 300% more α + β carotenes (μg·g-1) in relation to lighter of this same material. The results of this study showed the influence of genotype on the grain color and content of carotenoids, indicating that breeders have the flexibility to make selection of some genotypes based on grain color, reducing cost and time compared to laboratory methods used for the screening of genetic materials.

Interspecific differences in plasma carotenoid profiles in nestlings of three sympatric vulture species

Carotenoids are diet-based micronutrients important in health and coloration signaling.Related species with similar diets can differ in the kinds and levels of circulating carotenoids,which suggests specific physiological mechanisms to efficiently utilize these micronutrients,regardless of their availability.We explored whether diet and parental provisioning of unusual sources of carotenoids(fresh vegetal matter and vertebrate feces)can explain the occurrence and concentrations of carotenoids in the cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus,griffon vulture Gyps fulvus,and Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus nestlings,even when these pigments appear to not be deposited in their integumentary system.A greater diversity of wild prey in diet could be behind the profile of higher concentrations of carotenoids in the Egyptian vulture,the species with carotenoid-dependent coloration during adulthood,while differences in diet composition between cinereous and griffon vultures do not translate to different carotenoid profiles.The carotenoid profile appears to not be related to the ingestion of unusual matter rich in these compounds,although the infrequent occurrence of lycopene and unidentified y-carotene-like compounds suggest that these vultures may be exploiting vegetal matter that left no identifiable unconsumed remains in the nest of Egyptian vultures.The consumption of green plant material by griffon vultures does not result in especially high levels of carotenoids when compared to the carotenoids found in cinereous vultures,which do not consume green plant material.Ungulate feces were not provisioned to Egyptian vulture nestlings,despite the fact they contain carotenoids that adults need for appropriate coloration.Overall,this study indicates that diet differences alone appear insufficient to explain contrasting inter.specific carotenoid profiles,especially since all types of food consumed are considered to be poor in carotenoids,except vegetable matter.We suggest that nestling Egyptian vultures are comparatively efficient in uptaking carotenoids present in low concentrations in food when these compounds are not deposited in their integument,which suggests allocation to other functions.

The effect of folic acid on the development of stomach and other gastrointestinal cancers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of folic acid and beta-carotene in the chemoprevention of gastric and other gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 216 patients with atrophic gastritis were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: (1) folate (FA, 20 mg per day plus vitamin B(12) 1 mg, intramuscularly, per month for one year, then 20 mg two times a week plus 1 mg per three months for the next year); (2) natural beta-carotene (N-betaC, 30 mg per day for first year, then 30 mg two times a week for the next); (3) synthetic beta-carotene (S-betaC, administered as in N-betaC); and (4) placebo. Follow-ups continued from 1994 to 2001. RESULTS: A total of 7 new cases of gastrointestinal cancers were diagnosed with 3 stomach, 1 colon and 1 esophageal cancers occurring in the placebo group; 1 stomach cancer in both of the N-betaC and S-betaC groups, and no cancer occurring in FA group. In terms of GI cancers, there was a significant reduction in the FA group, compared with the placebo group (P = 0.04). A similar trend was observed in both N-betaC and S-betaC groups (P = 0.07 - 0.08). Taken together, the three intervention groups displayed a highly significant decrease in occurrence (P = 0.004, vs placebo), and a lower risk for GI cancers (OR = 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.03 - 0.51). For development of gastric cancer, any one of the three active-treated groups did not reach statistically significant reduction. The FA group showed obvious improvement of the gastric mucosal lesions with more patients displaying lesions reversed or stable atrophy and inflammation (P = 0.04), reversed intestinal metaplasia (P = 0.06) at the end of follow-up, and reversed displasia (P = 0.017) at 12 months. Two cases of false jaundice were found in beta-carotene groups with no influence on administration, and no side-effects were reported in FA group. CONCLUSIONS: This trial revealed the interventional effect of folic acid on the development of GI cancers, a similar effect of beta-carotene was also detected. Also, folic acid may be of use to treat atrophic gastritis by preventing or reversing the precancerous lesions.

Physicochemical,microbiological and sensory properties of low fat yoghurt fortified with carrot powder

Yoghurt is considered as a healthy food and incorporating carrot powder will make it even healthier.Carrot powder is a good source of beta carotene and provitamin A.The objective of this study was to determine the effects of adding carrot powder on the physicochemical,microbiological and sensory properties of low fat plain yoghurt.Plain and carrot yoghurt were prepared in the laboratory scale production using low fat milk.Carrot yoghurt was prepared by blending low fat milk with 1%,2%and 3%carrot powder before fermentation.Physicochemical analysis revealed a decrease in pH value and an increase in titratable acidity,viscosity and total soluble solids with the increase of carrot powder.On the other hand,protein content decreased with the increase of carrot powder.In terms of the lightness(L*)and the redness(a*),3%carrot yoghurt had low values of lightness while it had higher values of redness.Microbial count showed the significant difference between the 3%carrot yoghurt and 1%and 2%carrot yoghurt.There was a significant difference on the sensory scores of colour and aroma of carrot yoghurt and plain yoghurt as the carrot yoghurt got higher scores than plain yoghurt.There was no significant difference(p<0.05)between the acceptability of the plain yoghurt,1%and 2%carrot yoghurt and a significant difference was there between 3%.Thus,fortifying yoghurt with 1%and 2%carrot powder produced acceptable yoghurt with beneficial health effects.