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Mango is a good source of carotenoids for use in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products because of their organoleptic and health-promoting properties. Safe and sustainable methods for their extraction is required. The present investigation was aimed to study concentration and carotenoid profile of 'Kent' mango pulp through a conventional extraction (CE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using traditional solvents (tetrahydrofuran-THF and diethyl ether: petroleum ether-DE:PE) and green solvents (GS) (2-metiltetrahydrofuran, 2 m-THF; cyclopentyl methyl ether, CPME). Mango showed (μg/g d.w.) β-carotene (29.4), zeaxanthin (1.28), β-cryptoxanthin (2.8), phytoene (18.68) and phytofluene (7.45) in a CE using DE:PE. Similar results were obtained applying DE:PE in UAE and GS in a CE, so CPME and 2-mTHF seem suitable solvents to replace DE:PE in CE. The yield of total carotenes, xanthophylls and carotenoids using GS combined with UAE was lower than with CE, but important enough to be used as a sustainable procedure for obtaining carotenoids from mango pulp., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The texture of tomato products can be modified by choice of variety, their growing conditions and/or processing method, but no clear explanation exists of the mechanisms that transform fruit tissue, how they act on texture, or whether genetics and processing impact the same physical parameters. We therefore conducted a study that processed 4 varieties produced under low/high nitrogen supply, into puree using both hot and cold break processes. No specific rheological signature allows discrimination between cultivar-induced or process-induced textural changes, but that they can be distinguished by sensory analysis. Growth conditions impacted but was not sensory distinguished. Both caused significant variations in 7 of 11 physico-chemical parameters, but the order of importance of these traits controlling texture varied, depending on whether the cause was genetic or process-related. Analysis of alcohol insoluble solids revealed a specific signature in pectin composition and conformation that could be linked to particle aggregation in the presence of lycopene-rich particles., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

In this study, a new composite with combination of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), termed Chitosan Oligosaccharide-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites (COS-ZnO NC), was designed to enhance the quality of tomato fruits during postharvest storage. SEM analysis showed a uniform distribution of COS-ZnO NC films on tomato surfaces, indicating high biocompatibility, while the FTIR spectrum confirmed the interaction of COS and ZnO NPs via hydrogen bonds. The COS-ZnO NC exerts positive effects on post-harvest quality of tomato fruits, including significantly reduced water loss, fewer skin wrinkles, increased sugar-acid ratio, and enhanced vitamin C and carotenoids accumulation. Furthermore, COS-ZnO NC induces transcription of carotenoid biosynthesis genes and promotes carotenoids storage in the chromoplast. These results suggest that the COS-ZnO NC film can significantly improve the quality traits of tomato fruits, and therefore is potential in post-harvest storage of tomato fruits., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no personal or financial interests that could have appeared to influence the research reported in this manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Epidemiological studies have shown that a diet rich in bioactive components significantly reduces cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. In this sense, there is a need for meta-analytical research that confirms this phenomenon and increases specific knowledge about certain bioactive compounds such as carotenoids. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to disseminate knowledge about the sources of carotenoids in fruit consumed in the north of Brazil which are outside the Brazilian trade balance. A systematic review and a meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines were conducted based on a random effects synthesis of multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RRs). Searches of seven sources were carried out, including PubMed, Science Direct from Elsevier, Web of Science, Scielo, Eric Research and Google Scholar databases. The systematic review was guided by a systematic review protocol based on the POT strategy (population, outcome and type of study) adapted for use in this research. Mendeley was a resource used to organize and manage references and exclude duplicates of studies selected for review. In this review, we present the potential bioactive compounds concentrated in little-known fruit species from the Amazon and their benefits. Consuming fruits that are rich in notable constituents such as carotenoids is important for the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases through anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, as well as antivirals, immunomodulators and antioxidants agents that directly affect the immune response.

Sunflower oil ( Helianthus annuus ) contains a rich concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are susceptible to rapid oxidative processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stabilizing effect of lipophilic extracts from two types of berries, sea buckthorn and rose hips, on sunflower oil. This research included the analysis of sunflower oil oxidation products and mechanisms, including the determination of chemical changes occurring in the lipid oxidation process via LC-MS/MS using electrospray ionization in negative and positive mode. Pentanal, hexanal, heptanal, octanal, and nonanal were identified as key compounds formed during oxidation. The individual profiles of the carotenoids from sea buckthorn berries were determined using RP-HPLC. The influence of the carotenoid extraction parameters ascertained from the berries on the oxidative stability of sunflower oil was analyzed. The dynamics of the accumulation of the primary and secondary products of lipid oxidation and the variation of the carotenoid pigment content in the lipophilic extracts of sea buckthorn and rose hips during storage demonstrated good stability at 4 °C in the absence of light for 12 months. The experimental results were applied to mathematical modeling using fuzzy sets and mutual information analysis, which allowed for the prediction of the oxidation of sunflower oil.

Apple is an important dietary source of carotenoids and phenolic compounds, and its regular consumption is associated with several health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of fresh peels of four red-skinned ("Champion", "Generos", "Idared", "Florina") and two yellow-skinned ("Golden Delicious", "Reinette Simirenko") apple varieties. Antioxidant activity of apple peel extracts was determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ABTS radical scavenging capacity assays. Total carotenoid and polyphenolic contents were determined spectrophotometrically, while the profile of individual carotenoids and anthocyanins (in red-skinned varieties) was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA). Carotenoid composition was specific for each variety, and total carotenoid content was slightly higher in yellow-skinned apple peels compared to red-skinned varieties. In contrast, total phenolic content was higher in the peels of red-skinned cultivars. Anthocyanin profile was predominated by cyanidin-3- O -galactoside. Antioxidant potential followed the trend of the total polyphenolic content, being highest in "Florina", as measured by both FRAP and ABTS assays. Our results demonstrated apple peels have high phytochemical content with diverse compositions, and their regular consumption can be an excellent source of antioxidants.

Kiwifruit contains abundant nutritive compounds and is highly favored by the consumers worldwide. Therefore, detailed metabolic profiling is important to provide theoretic basis for the improvement of kiwifruit quality. In this study, the levels of volatiles, carotenoids, and mineral elements in the flesh of 17 kiwifruit accessions were evaluated. Acids and esters were the main volatiles in kiwifruit. During these 17 kiwifruit accessions, "Chenhong," three "Jinyan," and two "Guichang" germplasms were specifically rich in aromatic esters, which might be associated with their special taste. The main carotenoids were lutein, β-carotene, and zeaxanthin, and their levels were also genotype specific, with the green-fleshed "Guichang" having the highest level of carotenoids, and red-fleshed "Fuhong" and "Chenhong" being rich in zeaxanthin. Partial correlation analysis showed that the contents of some mineral elements were significantly correlated with those of specific volatiles and carotenoids, indicating the impacts of mineral elements on the accumulation of volatiles and carotenoids in the kiwifruit flesh. These results indicated that the contents of carotenoids and volatiles seemed to be affected by mineral elements and also provided a new potential method for improving fruit flavor quality in production., (© 2021 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

Currently, on an industrial scale, synthetic colorants are used in many fields, as well as those extracted with conventional organic solvents (COSs), leading to several environmental issues. Therefore, we developed a sustainable extraction and purification method mediated by ionic liquids (IL), which is considered an alternative high-performance replacement for COSs. Carotenoids are natural pigments with low bioaccessibility (BCT) and bioavailability (BV) but with huge importance to health. To investigate if the BCT and cellular uptake of the carotenoids are modified by the extraction method, we conducted a comparison assay between both extraction procedures (IL vs. COS). For this, we used the Amazonian fruit Bactris gasipaes , a rich source of pro-vitamin A carotenoids, to obtain the extract, which was emulsified and subjected to an in vitro digestion model followed by the Caco-2 cell absorption assay. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids using IL was better than those using COS (33.25%, and 26.84%, respectively). The cellular uptake of the carotenoids extracted with IL was 1.4-fold higher than those extracted using COS. Thus, IL may be a feasible alternative as extraction solvent in the food industry, replacing COS, since, in this study, no IL was present in the final extract.

Citrus are fruit crops that are widely cultivated in Southern Italy. The phytochemical profile of citrus depends on the species, the tissue and the ripening stage. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive analysis of the phenolic compounds and carotenoids from four citrus species cultivated in the region of Sicily, Southern Italy, between and within the different tissues and the ripening stages. The selected species were pummelo [C. maxima (Burm. ex Rumph.) Merr.] cv. 'Chandler', lemon [C. limon (L.) Burm. f] cv. 'Akragas', and sweet orange [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck] cvs 'Tarocco' and 'Washington navel'. Fruits were harvested four times every five weeks from Sep 2018 to Jan 2019. At any stage, flavedo and albedo showed the highest contents of phytochemicals. Elevated levels of phenolic compounds, e.g., narirutin, were found in the flavedo of unripe lemon and 'Tarocco' orange (54.8 ± 8.15 and 248 ± 30.3 mg kg -1 dw, respectively). Narirutin decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during maturity. An analogous trend (p < 0.05) was observed in the albedos of unripe pummelo and 'Washington navel' orange for vanillic acid (47.7 ± 8.31 and 54.7 ± 9.06 mg kg -1 dw, respectively). Phenolics decreased during maturity in the juice sacs as well, apart from lemon, e.g., hesperidin peaked at the last developmental stage (2213 ± 173 mg kg -1 dw; p < 0.0001). With regard to carotenoids, flavedos were the richest tissues. In general, flavedos increased the levels of carotenoids during ripening, apart from pummelo in which cumulative carotenoids were the highest in September (135 ± 16.5 mg kg -1 dw). Violaxanthin was the main carotenoid of the juice sacs, and was abundant in ripe 'Washington navel' orange (9.09 ± 1.73 mg kg -1 dw in Jan). The present investigation delivers valuable information for the comprehensive utilization of citrus fruits from Southern Italy by the local food industry., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fruits and vegetables are the highly used food products amongst the horticultural crops. These items are consumed uncooked, nominally cooked or fully cooked, according to their nature and cooking process. With the change in diet habits and rising population, the production, as well as the processing of horticultural crops, has exponentially improved to meet its increasing demand. A large amount of peel waste is generated from fruit and vegetable-based industries and household kitchen and has led to a big nutritional and economic loss and environmental problems. Processing of fruits and vegetables alone generates a significant waste, which amounts to 25-30% of the total product. Most common wastes include pomace, peels, rind and seeds, which are highly rich in valuable bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, enzymes, polyphenols, oils, vitamins and many other compounds. These bioactive compounds show their application in various industries such as food to develop edible films, food industries for probiotics and other industries for valuable products. The utilization of these low-cost waste horticultural wastes for producing the value-added product is a novel step in its sustainable utilization. The present review intends to summarize the different types of waste originating from fruits as well as vegetables peels and highlight their potential in developing edible films, probiotics, nanoparticles, carbon dots, microbial media, biochar and biosorbents.

Fully ripe fruits and mature leaves of Elaeagnus angustifolia were harvested and analyzed by means of analytical and biological tests to better comprehend the chemical composition and therapeutic/nutraceutical potential of this plant. Fruits and leaves were dried and the obtained powders were analyzed to study their color character and (via headspace gas chromatography) describe the chemical profile. Subsequently, they were submitted to a chloroform-methanol extraction, to a hydroalcoholic extraction procedure assisted or not by microwaves, and to an extraction with supercritical CO 2 , assisted or not by ethanol as the co-solvent, to detect the polyphenolic and the volatile content. The resulting extracts were evaluated in terms of chlorophyll and carotenoid content, polyphenolic content, volatile fraction, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, radical scavenging activity, and enzymatic inhibition activity. The results confirmed the correlation between the chemical composition and the high antioxidant potential of leaf extracts compared to the fruit extracts in terms of the phenolic and pigment content. A promising effect against tyrosinase emerged for all the extracts, suggesting a therapeutic/nutraceutical use for this plant. Conversely, the volatile content from both natural matrices was similar.

Background: Tomatoes are an important source of human health-promoting compounds, and efforts have been made to enhance their nutritional quality through conventional plant breeding or biotechnology. This study assessed the composition of volatile compounds, phenolics and carotenoids in two allele-introgressed tomato lines, an anthocyanin-rich purple tomato and a β-carotene-rich orange tomato, as well as a red tomato., Results: The purple tomato peel accumulated a high amount of anthocyanins, mainly petunidin 3-(p-coumaroyl)-rutinoside-5-glucoside, responsible for the purple color, and other flavonoids such as rutin and kaempferol. The orange tomato did not undergo changes in the flavonoid profile but accumulated a high amount of β-carotene, with impairment on lycopene. A total of 27 volatile compounds were detected in purple tomato, 38 in orange tomato and 39 in red tomato. They comprise terpenes, carbonyls, alcohols, esters and hydrocarbons. The difference in the volatile compound profiles of ripe fruits can be related to differences in some precursor contents in the introgression lines. Orange tomato accumulates volatiles from β-carotene cleavage, not detected in the red fruits. Otherwise, volatiles from lycopene were absent in orange tomato as a result of the inhibition on lycopene accumulation. Phenolic volatiles were higher in the purple tomato, which has the highest total phenolic content., Conclusion: The introgessed alleles seem to have a positive effect on the enrichment of ripe tomato in bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins and β-carotene, improving nutritional quality. However, the allele introgression resulted in marked changes in volatile compound profiles, whose impact on tomato flavor and consumer acceptability needs to be evaluated. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: Barbary fig ( Opuntia spp), called prickly pear, is a cultivated species belonging to family Cactaceae. It produces fruits one time per year during a short season. It is largely spreading in the Mediterranean countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the physicochemical and biochemical analysis of powder of prickly pear fruit peels of three Moroccan varieties (Aakria, Derbana, and Mles). Material and Methods . Both physicochemical analysis (humidity, water activity, Brix, ash content, pH, and total titratable acidity) and biochemical analysis (total carotenoid content, betalain content, total polyphenolic content, and ascorbic acid content) were effectuated according to protocols reported within the present research work., Results: Regarding the physiochemical analysis, the humidity of powder of prickly pear fruit peels ranged from 10.173 ± 0.002 to 15.27 ± 0.02%. The water activity (aw) ranged from 0.17 ± 0.002 to 0.336 ± 0.002. The values of Brix ranged from 68.67 ± 0.33 to 74.22 ± 0.51° Bx. pH values ranged from 5.41 ± 0.01 to 5.62 ± 0.01. The total titratable acidity values ranged from 0.644 ± 0.014 to 0.76 ± 0.007 g citric acid/100 g DM (dry matter). The ash content ranged from 1.02 ± 0.02 to 11.41 ± 0.03 g/100 g DM. Regarding the biochemical analysis, the total carotenoid content ranged from 5.14 ± 0.10 to 9.79 ± 0.06 mg/g of FM (Fresh matter). The total betalain content ranged from 2 ± 0.69 to 37.66 ± 2.65 mg/100 g of DM. The total polyphenolic content ranged from 1739.92 ± 13.69 to 2409.66 ± 43.65 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g of DM. The ascorbic content values ranged from 186.78 ± 13.23 to 294.04 ± 5.81 mg/100 g of DM., Conclusion: The results showed an interesting richness of the investigated powder in pigments (betacyanins, indicaxanthins, and carotenoids) and nutritional compounds including sugar, proteins, and vitamins that make this powder interesting for being used as a dye in food., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Mohammed Bourhia et al.)

Background: Prickly pear ( Opuntia spp.), called Barbary fig, is a cultivated species springing from family Cactaceae . It is native to Mexico and has been naturalized in other continents, especially the Mediterranean countries (North Africa). The aim of the study was to investigate the physical, physicochemical, and biochemical criteria of peels of three Moroccan prickly pear varieties (Aakria, Derbana, and Mles) growing in the Rhamna regions (dry area)., Material and Methods: Both physicochemical characteristics (humidity, water activity, Brix, ash content, pH, and total titratable acidity) and biochemical characteristics (total carotenoid content, betalain content, total polyphenolic content, and ascorbic acid content) were were studied according to previously reported methods., Results: Regarding the physiochemical criteria, the moisture of the fresh peels of studied varieties ranged from 81.59 ± 0.02 to 83.47 ± 0.02%. The water activity (aw) ranged from 0.862 ± 0.001 to 0.872 ± 0.001. The values of Brix varied from 14.69 ± 0.05° Bx to 15.80 ± 0.03° Bx. pH values varied from 5.13 ± 0.01 to 5.32. The total titratable acidity values ranged from 0.130 ± 0.008 to 0.196 ± 0.014 g of citric acid/100 g of FM (fresh matter). The ash content values ranged from 8.92 ± 0.10 to 11.04 ± 0.06 g/100 g of FM. Regarding the biochemical criteria, the total carotenoid content ranged from 2.29 ± 0.01 to 2.87 ± 0.01  μ g/g of FM. The total betalain content ranged from 6213.46 ± 58.86 to 8487.19 ± 51.71  μ g/100 g of FM. The total polyphenolic content varied from 160 ± 3.55 to 243.79 ± 5.55 mg GA E/100 g of FM. The ascorbic content ranged from 58.21 ± 0.24 to 74.72 ± 0.17 mg/100 g of FM., Conclusion: The findings of physicochemical and biochemical criteria of the investigated varieties growing in Moroccan drylands showed promising results in terms of studied parameters., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Mohammed Bourhia et al.)

With the current ongoing changes in global food demands, natural carotenoids are preferred by consumers and are gaining attention among food scientists and producers alike. Metabolomic profiling of carotenoid constituents in Physalis peruviana during distinct on-tree growth stages was performed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology. The results show that the β rings of β-carotene are hydroxylated with great efficiency, and there is a continual synthesis of zeaxanthin at half-ripe and full-ripe stages, which is confirmed by relating the zeaxanthin content to that of its precursor (β-carotene). Lutein was, in terms of mass intensity, the most abundant carotenoid constituent (64.61 µg/g at the half-ripe stage) observed in this study. In addition, γ-carotene, which is rare in dietary fruits and vegetables, was detected in the mature and breaker stages, albeit at a relatively low level. The results suggest that when we consider the variation in carotenoid content during different growth stages, Physalis peruviana can be considered a good source of natural carotenoids., (© 2019 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

The aim of this study was to develop a new method for carotenoid extraction from orange peel, using ionic liquid (IL) to replace conventional organic solvents, assisted by ultrasound. Four different IL were tested: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF 6 ]), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF 4 ]), and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([HMIM][Cl]). Response surface methodology was applied in order to optimize the carotenoid extraction conditions, and Amberlite XAD-7HP resin was used to separate the carotenoids from the IL, allowing their recovery. Determination of carotenoids was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC-DAD-MS n ). Thermal stability at different temperatures (60 °C and 90 °C) and peroxyl radical scavenging activity of the carotenoid extracts obtained with acetone and IL were evaluated. [BMIM][Cl] was the most effective IL, leading to a total carotenoid content of 32.08 ± 2.05 μg/g, while 7.88 ± 0.59 μg/g of dry matter was obtained by acetone extraction. IL and carotenoid recoveries using XAD-7HP resin were in the range of 59.5-63.8% and 52.2-58.7%, respectively. A carotenoid extract was successfully obtained with IL, finally isolated just by using ethanol, besides being more stable and presenting higher antioxidant activity than that obtained with acetone., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The carotenogenesis in the endocarp and flavedo of Navel oranges over four consecutive maturity stages was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-multistage mass spectrometry. After optimization of the extraction method, 77 carotenoids, including 26 monoesters and 33 diesters of violaxanthin, β-citraurin, and antheraxanthin, were characterized. Whereas chloroplast-specific pigments, such as (all- E )-lutein and (all- E )-β-carotene, predominated in the flavedo of green-ripe fruit, a highly complex pattern of xanthophyll esters was found in the mature oranges. Total carotenoid contents of flavedo were approximately 9-fold higher [12 605 μg/100 g of fresh weight (FW)] than those in the endocarp (1354 μg/100 g of FW) at the fully mature stage. The mature endocarp abundantly contained violaxanthin mono- and diesters, in addition to diverse antheraxanthin esters, which were exclusively detected in this fruit fraction. Likewise, β-citraurin esters were found to be unique flavedo constituents of mature fruit. Therefore, they may support the detection of fraudulent use of peel fractions during orange juice production.

Background: The genus Rosa comprises economically important horticultural plants belonging to the family Rosaceae. Recently, the use of different Rosa species has increased owing to their multipurpose properties (ornamental, food and medicinal uses). In this study, 21 accessions of Rosa genotypes were compared for fruit phytochemical composition and color parameters., Results: The highest antioxidant activity (37.86 mg AAE g -1 FW) and total phenolic (8.17 mg GAE g -1 FW), total flavonoid (2.53 mg QUE g -1 FW), total carotenoid (20.21 mg g -1 FW) and ascorbic acid (84.27 mg g -1 FW) contents were observed in G20 (R. canina), G8 (R. canina), G9 (R. canina), G5 (R. damascena) and G10 (R. moschata) respectively. Chlorogenic acid and gallic acid were found as the main phenolic constituents of Rosa fruits. High amounts of apigenin, rutin, quercetin, p-coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and gallic acid were obtained in fruit extracts of G6, G14, G6, G8, G19, G9, G19 and G12 respectively. Moreover, the level of color parameters also varied among genotypes. The highest values of a*, b*, L* and chroma were obtained in G4 (R. canina). Based on hierarchical clustering analysis with heat-map, five groups of accessions were identified., Conclusion: Different Rosa genotypes are rich in certain phytochemical compounds, with significant variations in their levels being observed. Hence evaluation of Rosa genetic resources can supply valuable data for screening accessions containing high levels of individual phenolics, antioxidants and other bioactive compounds for use in breeding programs and food and pharma industries. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Bioactive compounds are significant to human nutrition. They are beneficial to health as they inhibit the development of numerous diseases of affluence. Scientists continuously search for natural sources of these components. At present, the chemical composition of various plants is under investigation. Many researchers are interested in pumpkin (Cucurbita L. spp.). Different organs of this plant (pulp, seeds, flowers, leaves, shoots, roots) are consumed almost all over the world. They contain large amounts of bioactive compounds. Pumpkin pulp is used to prepare various dishes. It is also widely used in the food industry for the production of pastries, baked goods, juices, jams, marinades, and baby food. The content of carotenoids in the pumpkin has been documented in a large number of publications. However, so far there has been no complex analysis of the profile of other bioactive compounds. This article analyses 11 pumpkin cultivars of the Cucurbita maxima Duchesne species. It compares the chemical composition of the pulp and analyses the content of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, polyphenols (flavonols and phenolic acids), tocopherols, minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn), vitamins (C, B1, folates). In view of available information, the study provides an innovative approach. The analysis showed high diversity in the concentration of individual components between the cultivars. The research proved that pumpkin pulp was not only a source of carotenoids but also other bioactive compounds.

The uvaia (Eugenia pyriformis Cambess) is a native Atlantic Rainforest Myrtaceae that produces acidic yellow-orange fruit with a peculiar aroma. Its postharvest conservation poses a challenge, due to high perishability. This study investigated the postharvest quality of uvaia fruit during three ripening stages stored at 22ºC. The quality attributes were evaluated: skin color, soluble solids, titratable acidity, flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and volatile compounds at the beginning and end of the fruit's shelf life. Respiration (CO 2 ) and C 2 H 4 production were determined daily. No relationship between ripening stage and respiration was observed, but C 2 H 4 production increased with ripening stage. Green fruit reached the same skin color, titratable acidity, flavonoids, carotenoids phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of mature fruit, also displaying increased shelf life. Green fruit also presented lower soluble solids. The volatile compounds that give green fruit characteristic aroma were persistent. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Aroma and soluble solids content are important factors in determining the fruit quality. This work identified how these factors are affected by early uvaia fruit harvesting. Such information assists in determining the uvaia ideal harvesting point, providing better sensory quality, and increasing the fruit acceptance. Early harvesting at different ripening stages, in addition to prolonging the shelf life of the harvested fruit, is also a tool for understanding physiological processes. This study disseminates unpublished knowledge about uvaia, arousing interest in this native fruit and facilitating its commercialization., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The fruit of Lycium barbarum L. (FLB) has been used as medicines and functional foods for more than 2000 years in East Asia. In this study, carotenoid, phenolic, flavonoid, and polysaccharide contents as well as the antioxidant activities of FLB from 13 different regions in China from a total of 78 samples were analyzed. The results showed that total carotenoid contents ranged from 12.93 to 25.35 mg β-carotene equivalents/g DW. Zeaxanthin dipalmitate was the predominant carotenoid (4.260-10.07 mg/g DW) in FLB. The total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total polysaccharide contents ranged from 6.899 to 8.253 mg gallic acid equivalents/g DW, 3.177 to 6.144 mg rutin equivalents/g DW, and 23.62 to 42.45 mg/g DW, respectively. Rutin content ranged from 0.1812 to 0.4391 mg/g DW, and ferulic acid content ranged from 0.0994 to 0.1726 mg/g DW. All of these FLB could be divided into two clusters with PCA analysis, and both individual carotenoids and total carotenoid contents could be used as markers for regional characterization. The phenolic components were the main substance for the antioxidant activity of FLB. Considering the functional component and antioxidant activities, FLB produced in Guyuan of Ningxia was the closest to Daodi herbs (Zhongwei of Ningxia), which is commercially available high quality FLB. The results of this study could provide guidance for comprehensive applications of FLB production in different regions.

Background: Fruits present high concentrations of bioactive compounds that are beneficial to health due to their antioxidant properties. New alternatives to vegetable oils with such properties have been studied. We determined the chemical compounds of Byrsonima cydoniifolia A. Juss. fruits in three ripening stages as well as the optical behavior and quality level of the oils., Results: The ripening stage affected the chemical composition of the fruits and oils. The fruits presented high values of bioactive compounds, as ascorbic acid (1.46-1.82 g kg -1 ) and total phenols (3.54-15.91 g gallic acid equivalents kg -1 ), as well as showed excellent antioxidant activity. The ripe fruits showed high content of carotenoids (45.90 mg kg -1 ) were lutein is the major carotenoid, representing 55.56%. The oil of the ripe fruits showed high lipid content (252.6 g kg -1 ) and contained oleic (521.83 g kg -1 ), palmitic (209.13 g kg -1 ) and linoleic (195.4 g kg -1 ) fatty acids. The oil of ripe fruits showed the best oxidative stability, with longer induction period (22.29 h) than the other oils., Conclusion: Fruits of B. cydoniifolia A. Juss. demonstrate to possess a promising potential for the use as functional ingredients. The oil of the ripe fruits was more stable and presents a greater potential to be used for edible purposes. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: During the last few decades, greenhouse technology for horticultural crops has focused on retaining optimum conditions within the greenhouse environment that could allow for a compromise between maximum yields and minimum production costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three greenhouse covering materials and five harvesting dates on the yield and quality parameters of hydroponically produced tomato fruit, as well as on energy consumption., Results: Plants had a higher growth rate at early stages for S-PE cover material, while differences were minimized at later stages. Tocopherol content was the highest for ID-PE material and harvesting later than 170 days after transplanting (DAT), while sugar content (fructose and glucose) was the highest for S-PE material and 157 DAT. Organic acid content was the highest at early harvestings, especially for 7-PE and S-PE cover materials, while it exhibited decreasing trends at later harvesting dates. Antioxidant properties showed a varied response to cover materials and harvesting dates, while β-carotene, carotenoids and chlorophylls were the highest for 7-PE material., Conclusions: The results showed that both cover materials and harvesting date may affect significantly tomato fruit quality, especially sugar and organic acid contents which are associated with fruit taste, as well as tocopherols which contribute to antioxidant properties and pigments that are associated with fruit ripening and earliness of marketable maturity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

A bstract tricuspidata fruit contains various bioactive compounds and has traditionally been used in folk medicine and as valuable food material in Korea. The composition and contents of bioactive compounds in the fruit can be influenced by its maturity stages. In this study, total phenol, total flavonoid, individual polyphenolic compounds, total carotenoids and antioxidant activities at four maturity stages of the fruit were determined. Polyphenolic compounds were analyzed using high-pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS) and HPLC. Among 18 polyphenolic compounds identified in this study, five parishin derivatives (gastrodin, parishin A, B, C, E) were positively identified for the first time in this plant. These compounds were also validated and quantified using authentic standards. Parishin A was the most abundant component, followed by chlorogenic acid, gastrodin, eriodictyol glucoside, parishin C, parishin E and parishin B. The contents of all the polyphenolic compounds were higher at the immature and premature stages than at fully mature and overmature stages, while total carotenoid was found to be higher in the mature and overmature stages. Overall antioxidant activities by three different assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) decreased as maturation progressed. Antioxidant properties of the fruit extract are suggested to be attributed to the polyphenols.Maclura tricuspidata fruit contains various bioactive compounds and has traditionally been used in folk medicine and as valuable food material in Korea. The composition and contents of bioactive compounds in the fruit can be influenced by its maturity stages. In this study, total phenol, total flavonoid, individual polyphenolic compounds, total carotenoids and antioxidant activities at four maturity stages of the fruit were determined. Polyphenolic compounds were analyzed using high-pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS) and HPLC. Among 18 polyphenolic compounds identified in this study, five parishin derivatives (gastrodin, parishin A, B, C, E) were positively identified for the first time in this plant. These compounds were also validated and quantified using authentic standards. Parishin A was the most abundant component, followed by chlorogenic acid, gastrodin, eriodictyol glucoside, parishin C, parishin E and parishin B. The contents of all the polyphenolic compounds were higher at the immature and premature stages than at fully mature and overmature stages, while total carotenoid was found to be higher in the mature and overmature stages. Overall antioxidant activities by three different assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) decreased as maturation progressed. Antioxidant properties of the fruit extract are suggested to be attributed to the polyphenols.

The fruit of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae), commonly known as star fruit or carambola, is popular in tropical and subtropical regions. Carotenoid-derived components, mainly C 13 - and C 15 -norisoprenoids, contribute greatly to the flavor of star fruit. Previously reported norisoprenoids were tentatively identified by GC-MS analysis after enzymatic hydrolysis. To gain accurate information about glycosidically bound flavor precursors in star fruit, a phytochemical study was conducted, which led to the isolation of 16 carotenoid derivatives-One new C 13 -norisoprenoid glucoside, (5 R ,6 S ,7 E ,9 R )-5,6,9-trihydroxy-7-megastigmene 9- O -β-d-glucoside ( 1 ); one new C 15 -norisoprenoid, (6 S ,7 E ,10 S )-Δ 9,15 -10-hydroxyabscisic alcohol ( 11 ); and 14 known ones, of which 12 were in glucoside form. The structures of the two new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis and chemical reaction. Compound 11 was a rare C 15 -norisoprenoid with a double bond between C-9 and C-15, and its possible biogenetic pathway was proposed. The known compounds were identified by comparison of their mass and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data with those reported in the literature. The structure identification of one new ( 1 ) and seven known ( 3 ⁻ 7 , 9 , and 10 ) C 13 -norisoprenoid glucosides from the genus Averrhoa for the first time enriches the knowledge of carotenoid-derived flavor precursors in star fruit.

Background: We examined the suitability of chlorophyll fluorescence-based indices to monitor and predict concentrations of fruit maturity compounds during tomato ripening under different growing conditions in the greenhouse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chlorophyll concentration changes on fluorescence-based indices and to exploit the relation between fluorescence and reflectance indices with the corresponding maturity compounds determined analytically., Results: Fruits grown under water deficit matured faster than control fruits as recorded with fluorescence-based indices. The SFR&#95;R index correlated well with the analytical determination of chlorophyll content, whereas the single-signal FRF&#95;G correlated with lycopene content even if the sensor was unable to differentiate precisely between maturity stages 2 to 4. Neither the FLAV index nor the FLAV&#95;UV index was suitable for flavonoid prediction in tomato fruits. Compared with fluorescence indices, the relation between the reflection index and pigment concentrations was lower for chlorophyll and higher for lycopene., Conclusion: Chlorophyll and lycopene content in tomato fruits can be estimated by means of fluorescence indices during the pre-harvest phase. Since the chlorophyll decrease during tomato ripening is the driving force affecting all fluorescence signals, the methods are not reliable for estimation of other maturity compounds in tomato fruits. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

The objective was to assess the potential bioavailability of phytoene (PT) and phytofluene (PTF) from tomato powders used as raw materials for supplements as compared to the pulp of a common tomato and a cherry tomato. PT and PTF are attracting much interest nowadays as they can provide health and cosmetic benefits. PT and PTF levels in the more concentrated powder were up to 1000 times higher than in the tomatoes. The bioaccessibility from the powders was lower as compared to the tomato fruits and increased markedly when sunflower oil was added. However, the best source of potentially absorbable PT and PTF (0.5 and 2 mg g-1 respectively) was by far the powder with higher levels of them. This result could be due to the higher carotenoid concentration in the powder, the reduction of the particle sizes, and the rupture of cell structures compared to the pulps.

Resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) and reflection spectroscopy (RS) are optical methods applicable to the non-invasive detection of carotenoids in human skin. RRS is the older, more thoroughly validated method, whereas RS is newer and has several advantages. Since collective skin carotenoid levels serve as a biomarker for vegetable and fruit intake, both methods hold promise as convenient screening tools for assessment of dietary interventions and correlations between skin carotenoids and health and disease outcomes. In this manuscript, we describe the most recent optimized device configurations and compare their use in various clinical and field settings. Both RRS and RS devices yield a wide range of skin carotenoid levels between subjects, which is a critical feature for a biomarker. Repeatability of the methods is 3-15% depending on the subject's skin carotenoid level and the uniformity of its local distribution. For 54 subjects recruited from an ophthalmology clinic, we first checked the validity of the relatively novel RS methodology via biochemical serum carotenoid measurements, the latter carried out with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A high correlation between RS skin and serum HPLC carotenoid levels was established (R = 0.81; p < 0.001). Also, a high correlation was found between RS and RRS skin levels (R = 0.94 p < 0.001). Subsequent comparisons of skin carotenoid measurements in diverse age groups and ethnicities included 569 Japanese adults, 947 children with ages 2-5 screened in 24 day care centers in San Francisco, and 49 predominantly Hispanic adults screened at an outdoor health fair event. Depending on the particular subject group, correlation coefficients between the RRS and RS methods ranged between R ∼0.80 and R ∼0.96. Analysis of the Japanese screening showed that, on average, skin carotenoid levels are higher in women compared to men, skin levels do not depend on age, and tobacco smokers have reduced levels versus non-smokers. For the two most ethnically diverse groups with widely varying melanin levels, we investigated the effect of dermal melanin on RS and RRS skin carotenoid levels. The analysis revealed that large variations in skin carotenoid levels remain detectable independent of the particular melanin index. This behavior is consistent with the absence of melanin effects on the skin carotenoid levels generated with the instrument configurations. The RS method has an advantage over RRS in its relative simplicity. Due to its detection of skin reflection over a wide spectral range from the near UV to the near IR, it has the unique ability to quantify each of the major tissue chromophores and take them into account in the derivation of skin carotenoid levels., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The application of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) to whole tomatoes is proposed as a pre-processing treatment to obtain purees with high health-related properties. Tomato fruit was subjected to different electric field strengths (0.4, 1.2 and 2 kV cm-1) and number of pulses (5, 18 and 30 pulses). Tomatoes were stored at 4 °C for 24 h after PEF processing and then ground and mixed with 5% olive oil. The resulting tomato-based product was subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. PEF treatments significantly increased the amount and bioaccessible fraction of carotenoids in the derived product. Treatments conducted at 2 kV cm-1 and 30 pulses led to the greatest increase in the concentration of any of the carotenoids studied in tomato-based products. The amount of carotenoids incorporated into the micellar phase was increased in the products obtained from PEF-treated tomatoes, especially after the application of 5 pulses at 2 kV cm-1. Under such treatment conditions, the bioaccessibility of lycopene, δ-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene and lutein was increased by 132%, 2%, 53%, 527% and 125%, respectively. Therefore, the application of PEFs as a pre-treatment could be considered as a promising technology to obtain tomato derivatives with high antioxidant potential.

Carotenoid profiles of goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruits differing in ripening states and in different fruit fractions (peel, pulp, and calyx of ripe fruits) were investigated by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS n . Out of the 53 carotenoids detected, 42 were tentatively identified. The carotenoid profile of unripe fruits is dominated by (all-E)-lutein (51%), whereas in ripe fruits, (all-E)-β-carotene (55%) and several carotenoid fatty acid esters, especially lutein esters esterified with myristic and palmitic acid as monoesters or diesters, were found. In overripe fruits, carotenoid conversion products and a higher proportion of carotenoid monoesters to diesters compared to ripe fruits were observed. Overripe fruits showed a significant decrease in total carotenoids of about 31% due to degradation. The observed conversion and degradation processes included epoxidation, isomerization, and deesterification. The peel of ripe goldenberries showed a 2.8 times higher total carotenoid content of 332.00 µg/g dw compared to the pulp., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In the present perspective, different approaches to the carotenoids analysis will be discussed providing a brief overview of the most advanced both monodimensional and bidimensional liquid chromatographic methodologies applied to the carotenoids analysis, followed by a discussion on the recents advanced supercritical fluid chromatography × liquid chromatography bidimensional approach with photodiode-array and mass spectrometry detection. Moreover a discussion on the online supercritical fluid extraction-supercritical fluid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection applied to the determination of carotenoids and apocarotenoids will also be provided.

Our objective was to compare fruit morphology, physico-chemistry and bioactive compounds content of the edible pulp of six Mammea americana accessions. The results showed that this fruit was rather big, weighing on average 600 to 1100g depending on the accession, and spherical to oblate-shaped. The pulp represented between 50 and 70% of the weight of the whole fruit. The pulp adhered only partially to the seeds in 5 of the 6 accessions studied, while the last one exhibited full adherence. The fresh pulp was acidic, sweet, succulent and crunchy. The fruits studied had a variety of qualities, providing various opportunities for post-harvest uses: fruit salads, nectar preparation, jams and jellies, or export. We have established for the first time the total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids contents in the pulp of mamey apple fruits. The pulp colour was highly correlated with total phenolic compounds and total carotenoids contents., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Carotenoid profiles of fruits and calyces of red (Physalis alkekengi L.) and yellow (P. pubescens L.) Physalis were characterized by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS n . Altogether 69 carotenoids were detected in red Physalis, thereof, 45 were identified. In yellow Physalis, 40 carotenoids were detected and 33 were identified. Zeaxanthin esters with various fatty acids were found to be the most abundant carotenoids in red Physalis, accounting for 51-63% of total carotenoids, followed by β-cryptoxanthin esters (16-24%). In yellow Physalis, mainly free carotenoids such as lutein and β-carotene were found. Total carotenoid contents ranged between 19.8 and 21.6 mg/100 g fresh red Physalis fruits and 1.28-1.38 mg/100 g fresh yellow Physalis fruits, demonstrating that Physalis fruits are rich sources of dietary carotenoids. Yellow Physalis calyces contained only 153-306 μg carotenoids/g dry weight, while those of red Physalis contained substantially higher amounts (14.6-17.6 mg/g dry weight), thus possibly exhibiting great potential as a natural source for commercial zeaxanthin extraction.

Ripening is one of the most important transformations that fruits and vegetables suffer, from an unripe to a ripe stage. In this study, it was followed up and analyzed the variations in the composition of tomato fruits at different ripening stages (green or unripe, orange or middle ripe, red or ripe and brown or overripe). The results obtained from the Raman measurements carried out showed a change in the composition of tomato fruits in the transit from green to brown. The analysis confirmed an increase of carotenoids from an unripe to a ripe stage of these fruits, being lycopene the characteristic carotenoid of the optimum ripe stage. The presence of chlorophyll and cuticular waxes decrease from the unripe to the ripe stage. Moreover, the relative intensity of phytofluene, a transition compound in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, is higher in the orange or middle ripening stage. The results obtained in-situ, without cutting and handling the tomato fruits, by means of a portable Raman spectrometer offered the same information that can be achieved using a more expensive and sophisticated confocal Raman microscope., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The basic chemical composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity of fruits of three new Polish breeding clones (No. 5/6, type S, and type N) and four Canadian cultivars (cvs.) ("Martin", "Smoky", "Pembina", and "Honeywood") grown in Poland in 2016 were investigated. Fruits were analyzed for their contents of triterpenoids, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and polyphenolics with the ultra-performance liquid chromatography photodiode detector-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS) method, sugar with the high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) method, and antioxidant capacity with the ability to reduce free radical (ABTS) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method. Thirty-eight bioactive compounds, including twenty-eight polyphenolic compounds (four anthocyanins, nine phenolic acids, nine flavonols, and seven flavan-3-ols), four carotenoids, two chlorophylls, and three triterpenoids were identified in the fruits. The fruits of the tested Saskatoon berry genotypes were found to be rich in phenolic compounds (3773.94-6390.36 mg/100 g·dm), triterpenoids (66.55-91.31 mg/kg·dm), and carotenoids (478.62-561.57 mg/kg·dm), with high ABTS and FRAP capacity (10.38-34.49 and 9.66-25.34 mmol·Trolox/100 g·dm, respectively). Additionally, the berries of these genotypes seemed to be a good source of sugar (9.02-19.69 g/100 g), pectins (0.67%-1.33%), and ash (0.59%-0.67%). Some genotypes of Saskatoon berry, especially the clones type S, type N, and cvs. "Honeywood" and "Smoky", may be selected for their potential applications in commercial cultivation to produce fruits with valuable health-promoting nutritional effects on human health. Additionally, three new genotypes that may offer new functional materials can be recommended for fruit growers., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Pigments of pericarp and pulp of pink guava (Psidium guajava L. cv. 'Criolla') were investigated to elucidate the profile and the accumulation of main carotenoids during four stages of fruit ripening by using HPLC-DAD and APCI-MS/MS analysis. Seventeen carotenoids were identified, and changes in their profile during fruit ripening were observed. The carotenoids all-trans-β-carotene, 15-cis-lycopene, and all-trans-lycopene were present in all ripening stages, but all-trans-lycopene was found to be predominant (from 63% to 92% of total carotenoids) and responsible for the high lipophilic antioxidant capacity determined by spectrophotometric assays. By using light and transmission electron microscopy, the development of chromoplasts in pericarp and pulp was demonstrated. The accumulation of all-trans-lycopene and all-trans-β-carotene coincided with the development of large crystals; the chromoplasts of pink guava belong, therefore, to the crystalline type.

The influence of moderate intensity pulsed electric field pre-processing on increasing the lycopene bioaccessibility of tomato fruit, and the combined effect of blanching, ultrasonic and high intensity pulsed electric field processing on further enhancement of the lycopene bioaccessibility after juicing were investigated. Maximum total lycopene bioaccessibility (9.6%) of the tomato fruit was achieved by a 4μs pre-processed treatment after 24h holding period and further processing results revealed that all treatments were effective to increase the total lycopene. Most of juice processing treatments decreased the release of lycopene from the tomato matrix during digestion. Only the treatment of blanching followed by high intensity pulsed electric field showed a significant release of trans-(4.01±0.48) and cis-(5.04±0.26μg/g) lycopene, achieving 15.6% total lycopene bioaccessibility. Thus, processing of pre-blanched juice using high intensity pulsed electric field, derived from pre-processed tomato was the best overall process to achieve the highest nutritive value., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Although different genotypes of mamey sapote with distinct pulp colors are consumed in countries from Central to South America, in-depth knowledge on genotype-related differences of their carotenoid profile is lacking. Since the fruit was found to contain the potentially vitamin A-active keto-carotenoids sapotexanthin and cryptocapsin, we sought to qualitatively and quantitatively describe the carotenoid profile of different genotypes by HPLC-DAD-MS n . Sapotexanthin and cryptocapsin were present in all genotypes. Keto-carotenoids such as cryptocapsin, capsoneoxanthin, and their esters were most abundant in orange-fleshed fruit, whereas several carotenoid epoxides prevailed in yellow-fleshed fruit. Differing carotenoid profiles were associated with different color hues of the fruit pulp, while the widely variable carotenoid content (3.7-8.0mg/100gFW) was mainly reflected by differences in color intensity (chroma C ∗ ). Furthermore, the post-prandial absorption of sapotexanthin to human plasma was proven for the first time. Besides sapotexanthin, cryptocapsin was found to be resorbed., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study evaluated the effect of increasing manganese (Mn) nutrition on the content of antioxidative compounds such as vitamin C, lycopene and polyphenols, and the antioxidant activity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cvs 'Alboney F1' and 'Emotion F 1 ') fruit. Plants were grown in rockwool using a nutrient solution with the following content of Mn (mg dm -3 ): 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, 9.6 and 19.2. The level of vitamin C and lycopene decreased with the increasing Mn nutrition. Since the colour of fruits was correlated with the change in carotenoid content, the decrease in lycopene content promoted the reduction of redness and increase of yellowness of fruits. However, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity significantly increased when plant were exposed to toxic levels of Mn. Observed changes could be the result of the oxidative stress induced by high concentrations of Mn. Polyphenolic compounds play a crucial role in the plant's response to Mn stress and affect predominantly the total antioxidant properties of fruits, which could be used as a source of phenolics. Moreover, total phenolic content measurement, as an easy and inexpensive method, could be used as an indicator of Mn-induced stress in fruits of tomato.

Background: Z-isomers of lycopene, which are abundantly present in processed tomato products, are more bioavailable than (all-E)-lycopene found predominantly in raw tomatoes. Despite extensive studies on the bioavailability and biological activities of Z-isomers of lycopene, detailed studies on their safety and toxicology are limited., Results: The geno-, acute and subacute toxicities of tomato oleoresin that contained high amounts of lycopene Z-isomers (10.9% lycopene with 66.3% Z-isomer content) and had been prepared with supercritical carbon dioxide were investigated. The oleoresin was non-mutagenic in the Ames test with and without metabolic activation (S9 mix). The medial lethal dose (LD 50 ) of the oleoresin in rats, as determined by a single-dose oral test, was more than 5000 mg kg body weight -1 (bw) [361 mg (Z)-lycopene kg bw -1 ]. In the 4-week repeated-dose oral toxicity test, rats were administered oleoresin at 4500 mg kg -1 day -1 [325 mg (Z)-lycopene kg bw -1 day -1 ]. There were no clinically significant changes with respect to vital signs, physical examination outcomes and laboratory test values during the test period., Conclusion: Based on our findings and as supported by its long history of consumption, tomato oleoresin that contains high amounts of Z-isomers of lycopene prepared with supercritical carbon dioxide can be considered as safe for human consumption. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Ethylene is crucial in climacteric fruit ripening. The ethylene signal pathway regulates several physiological alterations such as softening, carotenoid accumulation and sugar level reduction, and production of volatile compounds. All these physiological processes are controlled by numerous genes and their expression simultaneously changes at the onset of ripening. Ethylene insensitive 2 (EIN2) is a key component for ethylene signal transduction, and its mutation causes ethylene insensitivity. In tomato, silencing SlEIN2 resulted in a non-ripening phenotype and low ethylene production. RNA sequencing of SlEIN2-silenced and wild type tomato, and differential gene expression analyses, indicated that silencing SlEIN2 caused changes in more than 4,000 genes, including those related to photosynthesis, defense, and secondary metabolism. The relative expression level of 28 genes covering ripening-associated transcription factors, ethylene biosynthesis, ethylene signal pathway, chlorophyll binding proteins, lycopene and aroma biosynthesis, and defense pathway, showed that SlEIN2 influences ripening inhibitor (RIN) in a feedback loop, thus controlling the expression of several other genes. SlEIN2 regulates many aspects of fruit ripening, and is a key factor in the ethylene signal transduction pathway. Silencing SlEIN2 ultimately results in lycopene biosynthesis inhibition, which is the reason why tomato does not turn red, and this gene also affects the expression of several defense-associated genes. Although SlEIN2-silenced and green wild type fruits are similar in appearance, their metabolism is significantly different at the molecular level., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

In the present study, we investigated whether the postharvest application of oligochitosan and chitosan could be used as potential alternatives to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) treatment to prevent calyx senescence of mandarin fruits induced by degreening treatment. The results of scanning electron microscopy indicated that the ethephon degreening treatment could accelerate the formation of pedicel abscission layers. Treatments with 15 g kg -1 oligochitosan, 5 g kg -1 chitosan, and 50 mg kg -1 2,4-D significantly suppressed the formation of pedicel abscission layers of ethephon degreening fruit and inhibited the browning of the calyx. These two treatments delayed the degradation of protopectin, cellulose, and lignin. Inhibition of the increase in the abscisic acid (ABA) content was also observed in these two treatments. In conclusion, these two treatments, particularly 15 g kg -1 oligochitosan, could be potentially used as alternatives to 2,4-D to improve calyx alterations induced by the ethephon degreening treatment in mandarin fruits.

Transgenic Solanum lycopersicum plants expressing an additional copy of the lycopene β-cyclase gene (LCYB) from Nicotiana tabacum, under the control of the Arabidopsis polyubiquitin promoter (UBQ3), have been generated. Expression of LCYB was increased some 10-fold in ripening fruit compared to vegetative tissues. The ripe fruit showed an orange pigmentation, due to increased levels (up to 5-fold) of β-carotene, with negligible changes to other carotenoids, including lycopene. Phenotypic changes in carotenoids were found in vegetative tissues, but levels of biosynthetically related isoprenoids such as tocopherols, ubiquinone and plastoquinone were barely altered. Transformants showed tolerance to the bleaching herbicide β-cyclase inhibitor, 2-(4-chlorophenylthio) triethylamine. The phenotype was inherited for at least three generations.

Solanum diploconos is an unexploited Brazilian native fruit that belongs to the same genus of important food crops, such as tomato (Solanum lycorpersicum) and potato (Solanum tuberosum). In this study, we determined, for the first time, the profile of bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and tocopherols) of the freeze-dried pulp and peel of Solanum diploconos fruits, as well as of an extract obtained from the whole fruit. Additionally, the antioxidant potential of the whole fruit extract was evaluated in vitro, against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Eighteen phenolic compounds were identified in the peel and pulp and 6 compounds were found in the whole fruit extract. Coumaric, ferulic and caffeic acid derivatives were revealed to be the major phenolic constituents. All-trans-β-carotene was the major carotenoid (17-38 μg g(-1), dry basis), but all-trans-lutein and 9-cis-β-carotene were also identified. The peel and pulp presented <2 μg per mL of tocopherols, and ascorbic acid was not detected. The whole fruit extract exhibited scavenging capacity against all tested ROS and RNS (IC50 = 14-461 μg mL(-1)) with high antioxidant efficiency against HOCl. Thus, Solanum diploconos fruits may be seen as a promising source of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant potential against the most physiologically relevant ROS and RNS.

We reported previously that the spontaneous oxidation of β-carotene and other carotenoids proceeds predominantly by formation of carotenoid-oxygen copolymers and that β-carotene copolymers exhibit immunological activity, including priming innate immune function and limiting inflammatory processes. Oxidative loss of carotenoids in fruits and vegetables occurs during processing. Here we report evidence for the occurrence of associated analogous copolymer compounds. Geronic acid, an indirect, low molecular weight marker of β-carotene oxidation at ∼2% of β-carotene copolymers, is found to occur in common fresh or dried foods, including carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, paprika, rosehips, seaweeds, and alfalfa, at levels encompassing an approximately thousand-fold range, from low ng/g in fresh foods to μg/g in dried foods. Copolymers isolated from several dried foods reach mg/g levels: comparable to initial carotenoid levels. In vivo biological activity of supplemental β-carotene copolymers has been previously documented at μg/g levels, suggesting that some foods could have related activity.

Background: Papaya and strawberry contain a wide array of nutrients that contribute to human health; however, availability of these fruits is limited due to their short shelf lives and seasonal nature. In this study, the effect of alternative techniques including ultra high temperature (UHT, 20-135 °C, 1-3 s) and irradiation (0-10 kGy) on carotenoid concentration, antioxidant capacity and changes to pulp structure using transmission electron microscopy were determined for papaya and strawberry nectars., Results: UHT had moderate effects on antioxidant capacity, but the greatest overall release of carotenoids from the pulp matrix (34.2%, 6.26%, 8.31%; β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, and lycopene, respectively). Irradiation resulted in the greatest increase in antioxidant capacity [19.22 to 24.32 µmol Trolox equivalents kg(-1) (papaya), 190.51 to 287.68 µmol Trolox equivalents kg(-1) (strawberry)], with moderate effects on carotenoid concentration., Conclusion: This research demonstrates that decreases in nutrient value and antioxidant capacity can result from processing, but that regeneration of these losses can be seen corresponding to the apparent breakdown of pulp structure. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Provitamin A carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin) contribute to the dietary intake of vitamin A and are associated with decreased risk of many chronic diseases. Besides their contents in foods, their bioaccessibility is of great interest since it represents the amount that will be absorbed in the gut. The aim of this study was to adopt, for the first time, the in vitro digestion model suitable for food, proposed in a consensus paper by Minekus et al. (2014), to assess the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from the fruits that are the major contributors to the intake of β-cryptoxanthin in Spain (orange, tangerine, red pepper, peach, watermelon, and persimmon) and loquat. The highest β-cryptoxanthin content and the lowest bioaccessibility was found in mandarin and loquat (13331.6 and 929.2 μg per 100 g respectively), whereas the highest contents of β-carotene and α-carotene were recorded in red pepper (1135.3 and 90.4 μg per 100 g respectively). The bioaccessibility of β-cryptoxanthin was similar to that of β-carotene (0.02-9.8% and 1-9.1%, respectively) and was higher than that of β-carotene in red pepper, watermelon and peach. α-Carotene bioaccessibility ranged between 0% and 4.6%. We discuss the critical factors for comparing our data: the form of the food being analyzed (raw/cooked/previously frozen, in the presence or absence of oil/fat) and the protocol for bioaccessibility assessment. Different food processing techniques may increase carotenoid bioaccessibility compared to raw food. However, given the difficulties encountered when comparing the results of studies on bioaccessibility, it seems logical to propose the application of the previously mentioned standardized in vitro protocol.

The consumption of fruit has increased in the last 20 years, along with the growing recognition of its nutritional and protective values. Many of the benefits of a diet rich in fruit are attributed to the presence of different bioactive substances, such as vitamins, carotenoids and phenolic compounds. Flavanoids, a class of phenolic compounds, present particular antioxidant activity and thus provide protection against cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Research suggests that an increased intake of plant foods is associated with a reduced incidence of chronic disease. There is currently a great deal of interest in the study of antioxidants, in particular due to the discovery of the damaging effects of free radicals to the body. Thus, this review aims to address the beneficial effects of the antioxidants present in fruits, on the neutralization of reactive species and the reduction of any damage they may cause.

Background: Lycopene, which is a red carotenoid in tomatoes, has been hypothesized to mediate disease-preventive effects associated with tomato consumption. Lycopene is consumed primarily as the all-trans geometric isomer in foods, whereas human plasma and tissues show greater proportions of cis isomers., Objective: With the use of compartmental modeling and stable isotope technology, we determined whether endogenous all-trans-to-cis-lycopene isomerization or isomeric-bioavailability differences underlie the greater proportion of lycopene cis isomers in human tissues than in tomato foods., Design: Healthy men (n = 4) and women (n = 4) consumed (13)C-lycopene (10.2 mg; 82% all-trans and 18% cis), and plasma was collected over 28 d. Unlabeled and (13)C-labeled total lycopene and lycopene-isomer plasma concentrations, which were measured with the use of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, were fit to a 7-compartment model., Results: Subjects absorbed a mean ± SEM of 23% ± 6% of the lycopene. The proportion of plasma cis-(13)C-lycopene isomers increased over time, and all-trans had a shorter half-life than that of cis isomers (5.3 ± 0.3 and 8.8 ± 0.6 d, respectively; P < 0.001) and an earlier time to reach maximal plasma concentration than that of cis isomers (28 ± 7 and 48 ± 9 h, respectively). A compartmental model that allowed for interindividual differences in cis- and all-trans-lycopene bioavailability and endogenous trans-to-cis-lycopene isomerization was predictive of plasma (13)C and unlabeled cis- and all-trans-lycopene concentrations. Although the bioavailability of cis (24.5% ± 6%) and all-trans (23.2% ± 8%) isomers did not differ, endogenous isomerization (0.97 ± 0.25 μmol/d in the fast-turnover tissue lycopene pool) drove tissue and plasma isomeric profiles., Conclusion: (13)C-Lycopene combined with physiologic compartmental modeling provides a strategy for following complex in vivo metabolic processes in humans and reveals that postabsorptive trans-to-cis-lycopene isomerization, and not the differential bioavailability of isomers, drives tissue and plasma enrichment of cis-lycopene. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01692340., (© 2015 American Society for Nutrition.)

The effects of three canopy shapes, i.e., vertical canopy, V-shaped canopy and horizontal canopy, on canopy microenvironment, quality of leaves and fruits were studied in the 3-year-old grape 'Jingmi' grafted on ' Beta' in greenhouse. The results showed that gap fraction and openness of vertical canopy were significantly higher than that of V-shaped canopy and horizontal canopy, and leaf area index, light interception rate and canopy temperature difference between day and night were significantly lower than those of V-shaped canopy and horizontal canopy. There was no significant difference between the latter two treatments. The palisade thickness of V-shaped canopy was significantly greater than that of vertical canopy, and horizontal canopy was in the middle. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of V-shaped canopy were significantly higher than those of vertical canopy and horizontal canopy, and those in the latter two treatments had no significant difference. The fruit quality of V-shaped canopy was the best, and that of horizontal canopy was the worst. The results of GC-MS analysis showed that 29 types of volatile aroma compounds were detected in V-shaped canopy, but just 17 and 16 in vertical canopy and horizontal canopy, respectively. In V-shaped canopy, the characteristic aroma in grape 'Jingmi' was higher, except ethanol, trans-2- hexene-1-alcohol, 2-octyl ketone and formic acid ester. The linalool content in vertical canopy and V-shaped canopy was higher than that in horizontal canopy. The nerol content in V-shaped canopy was higher than that in vertical canopy and horizontal canopy, and the leaf alcohol content in V-shaped canopy and horizontal canopy was higher than that in vertical canopy. The citronellol was de-tected only in V-shaped canopy. In greenhouse, the fruit aroma of V-shaped canopy grape was stronger, and well reflected the variety characteristics.