Aβ-Carotene Ketolase Gene NfcrtO from Subaerial Cyanobacteria Confers Drought Tolerance in Rice

Nostoc flagelliforme is a terrestrial cyanobacterium that can resist many types of stressors,including drought,ultraviolet radiation,and extreme temperatures.In this study,we identified the drought tolerance gene NfcrtO,which encodes aβ-carotene ketolase,through screening the transcriptome of N.flagelliforme under water loss stress.Prokaryotic expression of NfcrtO under 0.6 mol/L sorbitol or under 0.3 mol/L NaCl stress significantly increased the growth rate of Escherichia coli.When NfcrtO was heterologously expressed in rice,the seedling height and root length of NfcrtO-overexpressing rice plants were significantly higher than those of the wild type(WT)plants grown on½Murashige and Skoog solid medium with 120 mmol/L mannitol at the seedling stage.Transcriptome analysis revealed that NfcrtO was involved in osmotic stress,antioxidant,and other stress-related pathways.Additionally,the survival rate of the NfcrtO-overexpression lines was significantly higher than that of the WT line under both hydroponic stress(24%PEG and 100 mmol/L H_(2)O_(2))and soil drought treatment at the seedling stage.Physiological traits,including the activity levels of superoxide dismutase,peroxidase,catalase,total antioxidant capacity,and the contents of proline,trehalose,and soluble sugar,were significantly improved in the NfcrtO-overexpression lines relative to those in the WT line under 20%PEG treatment.Furthermore,when water was withheld at the booting stage,the grain yield per plant of NfcrtO-overexpression lines was significantly higher than that of the WT line.Yeast two-hybrid analysis identified interactions between NfcrtO and Dna J protein,E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase,and pyrophosphate-energized vacuolar membrane proton pump.Thus,heterologous expression of NfcrtO in rice could significantly improve the tolerance of rice to osmotic stress,potentially facilitating the development of new rice varieties.

Study on the interaction between β-carotene and gut microflora using an in vitro fermentation model

β-Carotene,a typical non-oxygenated carotenoid,is the most efficient source of retinol(VA).The low bio-availability ofβ-carotene lead to large accumulation in colon;however,the relationship betweenβ-carotene and gut microflora remains unclear.This study intends to explore the interaction betweenβ-carotene and gut microflora using an in vitro fermentation model.After 24 h fermentation,the degradation rate ofβ-carotene was(64.28±6.23)%,which was 1.46 times that of the group without gut microflora.Meanwhile,the production of VA was nearly 2 times that of the group without gut microflora,indicating that the gut microflora can metabolizeβ-carotene into VA.β-Carotene also influences the production of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs),the production of total SCFAs in 0.5 mg/mLβ-carotene(BCM)group was(44.00±1.16)mmol/L,which was 2.26 times that of the blank control(BLK)group.Among them,the production of acetic acid in BCM group was(19.06±0.82)mmol/L,which was 2.64 time that of the BLK group.Furthermore,β-carotene significantly affected the structure and composition of gut microflora,increasing the abundance of Roseburia,Parasutterella and Lachnospiraceae,and decreasing the abundance of Dialister,Collinsella and Enterobacter(P<0.05).This study provides a new way to understand howβ-carotene works in human body with gut microflora.

ζ-Carotene Isomerase Suppresses Tillering in Rice through the Coordinated Biosynthesis of Strigolactone and Abscisic Acid

Rice tillering is an important agronomic trait affecting grain yield.Here,we identified a high-tillering mutant tillering20(t20),which could be restored to the wild type by treatment with the strigolactone(SL)analog rac-GR24.T20 encodes a chloroplast ζ-carotene isomerase(Z-ISO),which is involved in the biosynthesis of ca-rotenoids and their metabolites,SL and abscisic acid(ABA).The t20 mutant has reduced SL and ABA,raising the question of how SL and ABA biosynthesis is coordinated,and whether they have overlapping functions in tillering.We discovered that rac-GR24 stimulated T20 expression and enhanced all-trans-p-carotene biosynthesis.Importantly,rac-GR24 also stimulated expression of Oryza sativa 9-CIS-EPOXY-CAROTENOID DIOXYGENASE 1(OsNCED1)through induction of Oryza sativa HOMEOBOX12(0sHOX12),promoting ABA biosynthesis in shoot base.On the other hand,ABA treatment significantly repressed SL biosynthesis and the ABA biosynthetic mutants displayed elevated SL biosynthesis.ABA treatment reduced the number of basal tillers in both t20 and wild-type plants.Furthermore,while ABA-deficient mu-tants aba1 and aba2 had the same number of basal tillers as wild type,they had more unproductive upper tillers at maturity.This work demonstrates complex interactions in the biosynthesis of carotenoid,SLs and ABA,and reveals a role for ABA in the regulation of rice tillering.

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of the ζ-Carotene Desaturase Gene in Chinese kale(Brassica oleracea var.alboglabra Bailey)

ζ-Carotene desaturase(ZDS)is an important enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis.Here,the Brassica oleracea var.alboglabra ZDS(Boa ZDS)gene was cloned from Chinese kale via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and deposited in Gen Bank(accession number KY662297).The Boa ZDS gene contains an open reading frame of 1 686 bp that encodes a 561-amino acid protein.Sequence analysis indicates that the ZDS protein is apparently conserved during plant evolution and is most closely related to B.oleracea var.capitata and B.rapa.The promoter sequence of the Boa ZDS gene was predicted to harbor several cis-acting elements that are related to light and phytohormone responses.Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that Boa ZDS expression varied among different developmental stages and organs.Relative ZDS expression remained stable during germination and seedling stages and rapidly increased at the mature leaf stage.The leaves showed the highest ZDS expression levels compared to the other organs.ZDS expression decreased in all flower tissues during blooming.The fused protein of Boa ZDS was obtained by prokaryotic expression.Heterologous expression of Boa ZDS in Escherichia coli confirmed that Boa ZDS encodes a functionalζ-carotene desaturase that increases β-carotene accumulation in E.coli cells harboring a β-carotene-producing plasmid.The findings of the present study provide a molecular basis for the elucidation of ZDS gene function in Chinese kale.

Biochemical changes in phenols,flavonoids,tannins,vitamin E,β-carotene and antioxidant activity during soaking of three white sorghum varieties

Objective:To investigate the changes in total phenols,flavonoids,tannins,vitamin E, β-carotene and antioxidant activity during soaking of three white sorghum varieties.Methods: The changes in total phenols,total ilavonoids,tannins,phenolic acids compounds,flavonoid components,vitamin E,P-carotene and antioxidant activity during soaking of sorghum grains were determined.Results:Total phenols,total flavonoids,tannins,vitamin E,P-carotene and antioxidant activity in raw sorghum were ranged from 109.21 to 116.70,45.91 to 54.69,1.39 to 21.79 mg/100 g,1.74 to 5.25,0.54 to 1.19 mg/kg and 21.72%to 27.69%and 25.29%to 31.97%,respectively. The above measured compounds were significantly decreased after soaking.p-Hydroxybenzoic acid,vanillic acid,syringic acid and cinnamic acid represent the major phenolic acids in Dorado variety.While ferulic acid,p-coumaric acid,gallic acid and caffeic acid represent the major phenolic acids in Shandaweel-6.On the other hand,protocatechuic acid represents the major phenolic acids in Giza-15.Regarding flavonoids components,Dorado was the highest variety in kampferol and naringenin while Shandaweel-6 was the highest variety in luteolin, apigenin,hypersoid,quercelin and christen.Finally,Giza-15 was the highest variety in catechin. Phenolic acids,flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activities were decreased after soaking. Conclusions:Sorghum varieties have moderate quantities from total phenols,total flavonoids, tannins,phenolic acids compounds,flavonoid components,vitamin E,P-carotene and antioxidant activity which decreased after soaking.

Experimental measurement and correlation of solubility of β-carotene in pure and ethanol-modified subcritical water

For the first time,the solubility ofβ-carotene in pure and ethanol-modified subcritical water(SW)using the static method was determined.The experimental runs were performed at a temperature ranging from 298.15 to 403.15 K and 0–10%(w/w)of ethanol as a modifier at a constant pressure of 5 MPa.Samples were analyzed by UV–vis spectrophotometer.The solubility ofβ-carotene was found to range from 1.084×10^-8 to 227.1×10^-8 mol fractions in the subcritical water in above mentioned conditions.The obtainedβ-carotene solubility data were correlated using the linear model and modified Apelblat model.The obtained results showed the modified Apelblat model was better for estimating the solubility ofβ-carotene in SW.The values of the rootmean-square deviation(RMSD)between experimental and correlated data were calculated and used as the index of validity and accuracy for the model.Also,thermodynamic properties of the solution such as the Gibbs free energy of solution,enthalpy,and entropy of solution were estimated.

Kinetics of Extraction of <i>β</i>-Carotene from Tray Dried Carrots by Using Supercritical Fluid Extraction Technique

β-carotene acts as an antioxidant and is receiving growing interest due to its ability as protecting agent against heart diseases, cancer and strengthening effect on red blood cells. The main aim of this work was to study the kinetics of the supercritical fluid extraction of β-carotene from tray dried carrots at 40℃, 50℃ and 55℃ and 30, 35 and 40 MPa at SC-CO2 flow rate of 2.0 L/min for extraction time of up to 6 h. It was observed that the concentration of β-carotene in the extract increased with pressure, temperature and extraction time. The results indicated that yield was found to be maximum at 45℃ and 35 MPa at 2 L/min SC-CO2 flow rate. Concentration of β-carotene in the extract increased with SC-CO2 flow rate. Weibull distribution model described adequately the kinetics of extraction of β-carotene from carrots.

Isomerization and degradation of all-trans-β-carotene during in-vitro digestion

To investigate the behavior of all-trans-β-carotene during digestion,in-vitro digestion coupled with HPLC-DAD,Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy were used to monitor it.All-trans-β-carotene reduced by 75%during the in-vitro digestion and had a highest degradation during intestinal digestion compared with oral and gastro digestion.All-trans-β-carotene occurred isomerization and degradation during oral digestion and occurred degradation during gastro and intestinal digestion.Isomers were identifi ed as 15-cis-β-carotene and 9-cis-β-carotene,degradation products were compounds with function group of C—O,C—O—C or C=C—C=C.The biological fate ofβ-carotene during digestion was clarifi ed,and one of the reasons for low bioavailability ofβ-carotene was explained by high degradation rate during digestion.

EFFECT OF NITRATE AND PHOSPHATE ON ACCUMULATION OF β-CAROTENE ISOMERS IN DUNALIELLA SALINA

DunaIiella salina, a halotolerent unicellular green alga, can accurmulate a Iarge amount of β-caroteneunder environmental conditions. The isorners of β-carotene extIacted from D. salina culturedin medium with different nitrate and phosphate concentrations were analysed by HPLC with Alox-Talumins column. At least six isomers were found in different proportions depending on the culture me-dia’s nitrate and/or phosphate concentrations. Nitrate and/or phosphae defidency was conducive tothe accumulation of totaI cis isomers but not of al1 trans isomer. lt is sUggeSted that 1 mmol/L KNO3and 0.1 mmol/L KH2, PO4 are favourable for accumulation of total cis β-carotene.

Retention of <i>β</i>-Carotene in Cream-Fleshed Sweetpotato-Based Complementary Food Stored in Different Containers under Simulated Tropical Temperature and Humidity

The stability of β-carotene in cream-fleshed sweetpotato-based complementary food stored in three different containers under simulated tropical temperature of 32°C and 85% relative humidity in an environmental chamber for 24 weeks was investigated. The formulation stored in a metallised polyester film in a refrigerator (approximately 3.0°C and 95% relative humidity) retained about 81% of β-carotene at 24 weeks, with no significant change in the moisture content. The formulation stored in either a metallised polyester film or a translucent polypropylene container placed in the environmental chamber retained approximately half of the β-carotene at 24 weeks, with a slight increase in moisture content. However, the formulation held in a transparent low-density polyethylene bag had the lowest β-carotene retention (37%) and the highest moisture content at week 24. Within the limits of this study, it has been demonstrated that β-carotene in cream-fleshed sweetpotato-based complementary food was well retained when moisture uptake was minimised.

Study of second-order nonlinear hyperpolarisability of all-trans-β-carotene in solutions by linear spectroscopic technique

This paper demonstrates the second-order nonlinear hyperpolarisability γ of all-trans-β-carotene in different solvents by linear spectroscopic technique that is based on resonance Raman scattering and UV-VIS (Ultraviolet-visible) absorption spectroscopy. Owing to the two-level model well describing the link that exists between the resonance Raman scattering and stimulated Raman scattering, the stimulated Raman polarisability α R can be calculated through the two-photon resonance system. The value of γ of all-trans-β-carotene in carbon bisulfide solution is 6.435×10-33 esu (1 esu of resistance = 8.98755 × 10 11Ω) that is close to the true value, because the solution of all-trans-β-carotene in carbon bisulfide satisfies the rigid resonance Raman scattering condition. This method is expected to be worthy of applications to measure the second-order nonlinear hyperpolarisability of a conjugate organic molecule.

Light and Electron Microscopic Study of the Effect of Orlistat on the Liver of Adult Male Albino Rats and the Possible Protective Role of <i>β</i>-Carotene

Orlistat is a safe and effective drug to treat obesity by acting as a pancreatic and gastric lipase inhibitor, resulting in reduction in fat absorption. There is also concern that it may be linked with an increased threat of serious hepatic incidents. The present work was carried out to study the effect of orlistat on the histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic structure of the liver in the adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of β-carotene administration. Forty adult albino rats were subjected to experiment for two weeks as follows: group 1 (control), group II, each animal received 0.52 mg/kg bw/day β-Carotene, group III, each animal received orlistat 32 mg/kg/day, and group IV received β-Carotene, 1hour before the administration of orlistat at same dose of group II & III. The liver from each animal was dissected out and processed for histological, (light and electron microscopic study). The result of Hep-Par1 for immunohistochemistry was statistically analyzed. The results showed that orlistat treated group displayed variable disturbance of liver architecture, from dilatation, congested central and portal veins, branching of bile ductules, mononuclear cellular infiltration, areas of hemorrhages, cytoplasmic vacuolation and pyknotic nuclei. The most obvious changes were that degenerative changes in hepatocytes led to depletion of glycogen content of hepatocytes. Hep Par-1 revealed a wide area of negative immune expression around the central vein and in some hepatocytes. Other hepatocytes expressed weak reaction. Ultrastructure examination displayed hepatocytes with swollen mitochondria and others with an electron-dense matrix. The combined treatment of β-Carotene and orlistat led to a marked improvement in most of the previously mentioned changes. It was concluded that orlistat-induced hepatic toxicity. Thus, clinicians should cautiously monitor their patients for signs of hepatic dysfunction. Using an antioxidant such as β-Carotene decreased the toxicity of orlistat.

Removal of Carbonyl-Containing Effluents by Photodegradation Using β-Carotene Embedded onto Zinc Oxide Particles

Environmental pollution especially in the form of effluent wastewater from industries has been a major challenge. Carbonyl-containing organic standards and sewage sample were effectively photo degraded. ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by emulsification of zinc-carbamate solution using 1 N NaOH and grafted chemically by Molecular Layer Doping method at 180 °C with β-carotene extracted using methanol by refluxing at 50 °C at varying concentrations. Intrinsic and grafted β-carotene ZnO were characterized using FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and their spectra differed in an additional peak at around 1,435 nm corresponding to the organ metallic bond Zn-C. UV-Vis spectra of the two composites indicated a blue shift in the grafted samples. This translated to a reduced band gap from 3.5 eV to 3.4 eV. Comparison in the rates of photodegradation of pure organic compounds, organic effluents and color change of dyes was in the order 1% grafted, 0.5% grafted, intrinsic ZnO and blank sample. When 10.0 mL of sewerage water was photo degraded using both sunlight and UV-Lamp for 40 minutes, the amount of carbonyls present decreased by 28.5% for β-carotene grafted ZnO, 24.5% for intrinsic ZnO and 0.6% for a blank sample.

Vitamin A,Vitamin E,Lutein and β-Carotene in Lung Tissues from Subjects with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Emphysema

Vitamin A (VA) and its active metabolites play an essential role in lung airway function. Patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a lower serum retinol concentration, and improvement of their 1-second Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) is achieved with VA supplementation. In order to test our hypothesis that the VA signaling pathway is compromised in COPD, we obtained 20 lung samples from COPD patients differing in the degree of emphysema as judged by their FEV% values. All were smokers or were exposed to secondhand smoke. Levels of VA (retinol/retinyl ester), tocopherols and carotenoids (lutein, beta-carotene) in these samples were determined using HPLC. Additional analytes beside VA were included for their known roles as antioxidants and modulators of VA-action. VA levels (retinol/retinyl ester) decreased significantly with the increase in severity of emphysema. Among other analytes, α-tocopherol levels fell by 25.8% in the severe emphysema group in comparison to the mild emphysema group, and lutein levels similarly decreased in severe compared to moderate emphysema groups. However, beta-carotene levels remained unchanged. Thus there is a significant linear correlation between lung VA-levels and the severity of emphysema. There was also a significant reduction in the levels of α-, δ-tocopherol and lutein in the severe emphysema group of COPD patients who either smoked or were exposed to smoke.

Extraction of β-Carotene,Vitamin C and Antioxidant Compounds from Physalis peruviana(Cape Gooseberry)Assisted by High Hydrostatic Pressure

High hydrostatic pressure assisted extraction (HHPE) has several advantages when compared to traditional extraction methods, which frequently cause degradation and loss of target components and might consume large volumes of environmentally unfriendly solvents. The aim of this study was to develop an assisted extraction method using high hydrostatic pressure (HHPE) and to evaluate both HHPE and conventional extraction methods for β-carotene, antioxidant compounds and vitamin C from cape gooseberry. β-carotene and compounds with antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical assay (DPPH*) or radical scavenging activity;ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP)) were extracted using HHPE for 5 min, 10 min and 15 min at 500 MPa, while vitamin C was extracted at 500 MPa for 30 s, 60 s and 90 s. Processing significantly affected (p ≤ 0.05) the β-carotene content of all samples, increasing retention by 8%, 14% and 15% at 500 MPa after 5 min, 10 min and 15 min of HPPE, respectively. The highest antioxidant content determined by DPPH* and FRAP assays was obtained in a sample treated at 500 MPa for 15 min, showing increases of 26% and 51%, respectively, compared with an untreated sample. The ascorbic acid content of fresh cape gooseberry was 26.31 mg·100 g-1. In fact, the ascorbic acid levels were significantly higher for all high-pressure-treated samples compared to this of conventionally extracted sample (p ≤ 0.05), exhibiting increases of 9%, 41% and 53% at 500 MPa after 30 s, 60 s and 90 s of HPPE, respectively. Thus, the application of HHPE produced higher β-carotene content, antioxidant compounds and vitamin C content and required less extraction time compared to other extraction methods. The pharmaceutical and food industries can benefit by using high pressure extraction technology.

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.

EFFECTS OF Mg^(2+), NaCl, CITRIC ACID, AND OTHER FACTORS ON SYNTHESIS AND ACCUMULATION OF β-CAROTENE IN DUNALIELLA SALINA

The effect of Mg2+, NaCl and citric acid on the accumulation of β-carotne inDunaliella Salina was studied. The experimental results showed that 10. 5 mmol/L Mg2+, 5 mol/LNaCI, 3 μmol/L, citric acid, and CO2 are favordse for Dunaliella Salina cell growth and β-carotene accu-mulation. After 144 h culture under the above conditions, the Dunaliella Salina biomass increased by7. 18 times; β-carotene reached 9. 61 %.

Pumpkin seeds as nutraceutical and functional food ingredient for future:A review

Pumpkin belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae,which comprises several species that has economical as well as agronomical importance.All parts of pumpkin are edible and laden with beneficial neutraceutical compounds.Pumpkin seeds are valuable source protein which can help in eradicating protein malnutrition and lipids(rich in PUFAs)contains essential as well as non essential fatty acids which prevents from various ailments like cancer and other cardiovascular diseases.Since,seeds of pumpkin are abundant in macro(magnesium,phosphorous,potassium,sodium and calcium)and micro minerals(iron,copper,manganese,zinc and selenium),they can be used as an incredible dietary supplement which in turn helps in curbing various deficiency disorders.This review enlightens the characteristics of pumpkin seeds,process of valorization of pumpkin seeds and the effect of processing on their nutritional composition which have been studied currently with the aim to use this wonder seeds for human wellbeing.Pumpkin seeds possess many bioactive compounds like polyphenols,flavonoids,phytosterols and squalene which makes it a lucrative raw material for pharmacological and food industries.Pumpkin seeds work as anti-depressant and helps majorly in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia(BHP).Daily consumption of pumpkin seeds can reduce the chances of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.Pumpkin seeds are rich in tocopherols and can be used for oil extraction for edible purposes and utilized in other food formulations for future use.

Promoter and coding sequence diversity of CsCCD1 may contribute to the differential accumulation of floralβ-ionone in fresh tea leaves

The carotenoid-derived volatileβ-ionone makes an important contribution to tea fragrance.Here,we qualitatively and quantitatively analysed 15 carotenoids in tea leaves of 13 cultivars by UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS.The 13 cultivars were divided into two groups by PCA(Principal Component Analysis)clustering analysis of their carotenoid content,and OPLS-DA(Orthogonal projections to latent structures)indicated that the levels ofβ-carotene(VIP=2.89)and lutein(VIP=2.30)were responsible for much of the variation between the two groups.Interestingly,theβ-carotene toβ-ionone conversion rates in Group 1 were higher than in Group 2,while theβ-carotene content was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2.Theβ-ionone content was significantly higher in Group 1.Pearson Correlation Coefficient calculation between the transcription level of candidate genes(CsCCD1 and CsCCD4)and the accumulation ofβ-ionone indicated that CsCCD1 may involve in the formation ofβ-ionone in 13 cultivars.Prokaryotic expression and in vitro enzyme activity assays showed that‘Chuanhuang 1’had an amino acid mutation in carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases 1(CsCCD1)compared with‘Shuchazao’,resulting in a significantly higherβ-ionone content in‘Chuanhuang 1’.Sequence analysis showed that‘Chuanhuang 1’and‘Huangdan’had different CsCCD1 promoter sequences,leading to significantly higher CsCCD1 expression andβ-ionone accumulation in‘Chuanhuang 1’.These results indicated that the promoter and coding sequence diversity of CsCCD1 might contribute to the differential accumulation ofβ-ionone in different tea cultivars.

色素万寿菊中叶黄素合成相关基因的表达分析

本项研究以生产中用于杂交制种的8个色素万寿菊品种资源的花蕾期(Ⅰ)、鲜花半开期(Ⅱ)、鲜花盛开期(Ⅲ)的花瓣以及盛开期时的叶子(Ⅳ)为材料,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法,检测了叶黄素合成过程中3个相关基因lcyb(lycopene b-cyclase)、lcye(lycopene e-cyclase)和zds(ζ-carotene desaturase)在8个供试品种的不同发育时期的相对表达量。结果表明:3个基因的表达量在叶片中依次为lcyb>zds>lcye,花瓣中依次为lcye>zds>lcyb。lcye在花瓣中的表达量随花瓣的开放程度呈现先升高后降低的趋势,并在Ⅱ期达到最大值,且均高于叶片中lcye的表达量。Zds的表达趋势为Ⅱ>Ⅳ>Ⅰ>Ⅲ。Lcyb在叶中的表达高于花瓣中的任何时期。父本花瓣Ⅲ期的lcye表达量高于其他品种,且它的叶片中的lcyb的表达也高于其它品种。本项研究结果将有助于进一步阐明lcyb、lcye和zds基因与色素万寿菊叶黄素合成积累之间的关系,为进行色素万寿菊的基因工程育种奠定基础。