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Synthesized in plants, polyphenols are powerful antioxidants and protect against stressful conditions. We aimed to identify different kinds of phytochemicals in fruits and provide detailed information on the roles they play in promoting good health in the human body. We also discussed the biological activities of phytochemicals found in several fruits. Google Scholar and PubMed databases were used to search for relevant information that could assist in answering our research questions. We selected and reviewed both research and review articles related to the purpose of our study. Fruits contain numerous antioxidants which neutralize the negative impact of free radicals on the body. Free radicals are destructive species that can be produced during normal body metabolism or come from exogenous sources such as smoking or exposure to radiation. Due to their unstable nature, they can cause damage to cellular macromolecules, resulting in the development of degenerative diseases. Phytochemicals are diverse groups of bioactive compounds found in fruits that have potent antioxidant activity and exhibit several health-promoting properties in both in vivo and in vitro studies. There are two major groups of antioxidants: natural (or dietary) antioxidants and synthetic antioxidants. Natural antioxidants have gained much popularity in recent times because of the safety concerns surrounding the use of synthetic antioxidants. The consumption of fruits plays a critical role in disease prevention, especially diseases resulting from oxidative damage to cells. The inclusion of fruits in one’s daily diet helps improve their overall wellbeing.

Gracilaria is the largest genus of the red algal family Gracilariaceae. A comparative morphoanatomical study was undertaken of three selected Gracilaria species: G. hikkaduwensis (endemic to Sri Lanka); G. corticata; and G. canaliculata with investigation of phycochemicals and pigments. Samples were collected from Koggala, Sri Lanka. Following the morphoanatomical study, crude extracts were prepared by macerating the thalli in methanol: dichloromethane, followed by rota-evaporation. Phycochemicals were tested using standard methodologies. Ethyl acetate extraction was performed to obtain chlorophyll a and carotenoids. Phycobiliproteins were extracted and quantified by ultraviolet–visible spectrometry. G. hikkaduwensis had toothed apices which distinguish this from G. corticata and G. canaliculata with rounded apices in vegetative thalli. G. corticata had markedly compressed axes distinguishing it from G. canaliculata with cylindrical axes further confirmed species level identity. Phycochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, amino acids, phenols, tannins, steroids and flavonoids. However, terpenoids were only present in G. hikkaduwensis. The highest phenolic content (2.02 ± 0.11 mg GAE g‒1) is present in G. corticata and lowest (1.36 ± 0.08 mg GAE g‒1) in G. hikkaduwensis. The highest flavonoids content (1.52 ± 0.01 mg QUE g‒1) was in G. hikkaduwensis and the lowest (1.02 ± 0.01 mg QUE g‒1) in G. corticata, respectively. Pigment analysis revealed the highest chlorophyll a (6.2 μg g‒1) in G. canaliculata while the lowest (1.9 μg g‒1) in G. hikkaduwensis. The highest carotenoids content (0.8 μmol g‒1) was reported in G. corticata, while the lowest (0.3 μmol g‒1) was in G. canaliculata. Individual phycobiliproteins (phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin) were recorded spectrophotometrically as 0.25 mg g‒1, 0.14 mg g‒1 and 0.18 mg g‒1, respectively. This study provides the first report on phycochemical screening of the endemic algae G. hikkaduwensis. These results together with those of G. corticata and G. canaliculata can be used as baseline data in further research on these species.

Leafy vegetables are very healthy for human beings having high contents of phyto- and physico-chemicals and are low in fat and calories. Mountainous regions worldwide have diverse agroclimatic conditions conducive for the cultivation of different leafy vegetables. Present research study assessed six leafy vegetables for their composition at fifteen different agroecological sites. Fresh leaves of six leafy vegetables, i.e. alfalfa, water clover, spinach, leaf mustard, pennywort, and fenugreek, were collected from the mountainous region. Procured leaf samples were brought to analytical laboratory and were subjected to physicochemical and phytochemical analysis, i.e. moisture content, pH, TSS, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant potential. Among all the sampling sites and vegetables, a significant variation was observed for the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters. In samples procured from different agroecological sites, the better retention of quality parameters was observed among the leaf sample collected from fifteen different agroecological sites. The highest values were recorded for moisture content in spinach at site 1, for pH in leaf mustard at sites 4, 5 and 6, for TSS in spinach at sites 6 and 9, for ascorbic acid in alfalfa at site 6, for total phenolics in spinach at site 5, for carotenoid in leaf mustard at site 5, for flavonoids in fenugreek at site 5, and for antioxidant in spinach at site 6. It can be concluded that mountainous regions are rich in agroecological conditions suitable for producing leafy vegetables carrying healthful constituents for the consumption by human beings.

Drought stress significantly affects crop productivity. Carotenoids are essential photosynthetic pigment for plants, bacteria, and algae, with signaling and antioxidant functions. Lutein is a crucial branch product in the carotenoid synthesis pathway, which effectively improves the stress tolerance of higher plants. lycopene cyclase, a central enzyme for lutein synthesis, holds great significance in regulating lutein production. This research establishes a correlation between lutein content and stress resistance by measuring the drought resistance and lutein content of various cotton materials. To identify which crucial genes are associated with lutein, the lycopene cyclase family (LCYs) was analyzed. The research found that LCYs form a highly conserved family divided into two subfamilies, LCY-ε (lycopene ε-cyclase) and LCY-β (lycopene β-cyclase). Most members of the LCY family contain photoresponsive elements and abscisic acid elements. qRT-PCR demonstrates showed that most genes responded positively to drought stress, and GhLCYε-3 was expressed significantly differently under drought stress. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) assay showed that the content of GhLCYε-3 was significantly increased with MDA and PRO, and the contents of chlorophyll and lutein were significantly decreased in pYL156 plants. The decrease in GhLCYε-3 expression is speculated to lead to reduced lutein content in vivo, resulting in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased drought tolerance. This research enriched the understanding of LCY gene family and lutein function, and provided a new reference for cotton planting in arid areas. Synopsis: Lycopene cyclase plays an important role in enhancing the ability of scavenging ROS and drought resistance of plants.

Orange-fleshed non-netted honeydew melon has high nutritional and economic potential, being widely appreciated as a refreshing sweet fruit. Therefore, evaluating commercial samples of such relevant products for the fresh fruit market is of great importance. This study investigated the antioxidant capacity, quality parameters, and chemical composition of honeydew melons from the Brazilian market. The values of pH and °Brix determined for melon samples were 6.5 ± 0.30 and 9.2 ± 0.80 g/100 g (fresh weight), respectively, which agree with the results expected for high-quality melons. The chromatography analysis revealed sucrose (49% of total sugar) as the main sugar, followed by fructose (30%) and glucose (21%). Carotenoids, which are directly linked to the characteristic orange color, showed a total level of 270.59 µg/g (dry weight). Additionally, the higher b* value compared to a* value indicates the highest yellow contribution. Regarding the antioxidant assays, in addition to presenting antioxidant capacity for both methods applied, DPPH and FRAP, levels ranging from 16.40 ± 0.21 µmol ascorbic acid equivalent/g to 56.98 ± 0.80 µmol Trolox equivalent/g (dry weight) were reported in melon extracts. Moreover, the results were higher in terms of FRAP than DPPH. Therefore, the results underscore the evaluated honeydew melons as valuable sources of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids and phenolics, which contribute to their antioxidant properties. Besides, analyses of color, pH, and total soluble solids content also reflect the quality attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, being a potential bioactive compound for gut health. The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of carotenoids on gut microbiota, gut barrier, and inflammation in healthy animals. The systematic search from PubMed, Scopus, and Lilacs databases were performed up to March 2023. The final screening included thirty studies, with different animal models (mice, rats, pigs, chicks, drosophila, fish, and shrimp), and different carotenoid sources (β-carotene, lycopene, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and fucoxanthin). The results suggested that carotenoids seem to act on gut microbiota by promoting beneficial effects on intestinal bacteria related to both inflammation and SCFA production; increase tight junction proteins expression, important for reducing intestinal permeability; increase the mucins expression, important in protecting against pathogens and toxins; improve morphological parameters important for digestion and absorption of nutrients; and reduce pro-inflammatory and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, different carotenoids had distinct effects on gut health. In addition, there was heterogeneity between studies regarding animal model, duration of intervention, and doses used. This is the first systematic review to address the effects of carotenoids on gut health. Further studies are needed to better understand the effects of carotenoids on gut health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leafy vegetables are very healthy for human beings having high contents of phyto- and physico-chemicals and are low in fat and calories. Mountainous regions worldwide have diverse agroclimatic conditions conducive for the cultivation of different leafy vegetables. Present research study assessed six leafy vegetables for their composition at fifteen different agroecological sites. Fresh leaves of six leafy vegetables, i.e. alfalfa, water clover, spinach, leaf mustard, pennywort, and fenugreek, were collected from the mountainous region. Procured leaf samples were brought to analytical laboratory and were subjected to physicochemical and phytochemical analysis, i.e. moisture content, pH, TSS, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant potential. Among all the sampling sites and vegetables, a significant variation was observed for the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters. In samples procured from different agroecological sites, the better retention of quality parameters was observed among the leaf sample collected from fifteen different agroecological sites. The highest values were recorded for moisture content in spinach at site 1, for pH in leaf mustard at sites 4, 5 and 6, for TSS in spinach at sites 6 and 9, for ascorbic acid in alfalfa at site 6, for total phenolics in spinach at site 5, for carotenoid in leaf mustard at site 5, for flavonoids in fenugreek at site 5, and for antioxidant in spinach at site 6. It can be concluded that mountainous regions are rich in agroecological conditions suitable for producing leafy vegetables carrying healthful constituents for the consumption by human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tritordeum is the new cereal derived from crosses between the wild barley Hordeum chilense Roem. et Schultz. and either durum or bread wheat, resulting in hexaploid and octoploid tritordeums, respectively. The success of tritordeum as a crop depends on the effectiveness of its breeding programme. In this work, new advanced tritordeum lines are screened for grain carotenoid content and disease susceptibility to analyse the impact of the current breeding strategies and to identify their strengths and putative limitations for future challenges. We conclude that selection for grain carotenoid content, the main strength for the tritordeum commercialization, should be reinforced not only by using the diversity of H. chilense but also incorporating beneficial alleles from durum wheat. Furthermore, genes for stem rust resistance from the A and B wheat genomes must be incorporated into tritordeum breeding programme. Finally, when selecting for threshability, tritordeums without chromosome substitutions should be preferentially selected using a marker‐assisted selection approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoporphyra haitanensis is an important economic alga. A 3 × 2 factorial layout containing three nitrogen levels (1, 5, 10 mg L−1) and two phosphorus levels (1, 5 mg L−1) were designed to examine the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on physiological responses of N. haitanensis conchocelis during growth phase (trial I) and development phase (trial II). In trial I, a higher phosphorus concentration inhibited the relative growth rate of N. haitanensis conchoceli at each nitrogen level. Contents of chlorophyll a and carotenoids were higher at high nitrogen level. Contents of phospholipids were higher at high phosphorus concentration at 5 mg L−1 nitrogen level. In trial II, high phosphorus concentration increased the formation of conchosporangia at 1 mg L−1 nitrogen level. Higher contents of phycoerythrin and phycocyanin were at high nitrogen level. Higher contents of phospholipids were at high phosphorus concentration at 1 mg L−1 nitrogen level. Higher contents of triglycerides were at low nitrogen level both in trial I and II. These results indicated that high nitrogen level increased the contents of pigment. High phosphorus level favoured the formation of conchosporangia and deposition of phospholipids. These results lay the groundwork for research into mechanism of growth and development of N. haitanensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Carotenoids play essential roles in photosynthesis, photoprotection, and human health. Efforts to increase carotenoid content in several staple crops have been successful through both conventional selection and genetic engineering methods. Interestingly, in some cases, altering carotenoid content has had unexpected effects on other aspects of plant metabolism, impacting traits like sugar content, dry matter percentage, fatty acid content, stress tolerance, and phytohormone concentrations. Studies across several diverse crop species have identified negative correlations between carotenoid and starch contents, as well as positive correlations between carotenoids and soluble sugars. Collectively, these reports suggest a metabolic interaction between carotenoids and carbohydrates. We synthesize evidence pointing to four hypothesized mechanisms: (1) direct competition for precursors; (2) physical interactions in plastids; (3) influences of sugar or apocarotenoid signaling networks; and (4) nonmechanistic population or statistical sources of correlations. Though the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway is well understood, the regulation and interactions of carotenoids, especially in nonphotosynthetic tissues, remain unclear. This topic represents an underexplored interplay between primary and secondary metabolism where further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are a diverse group of pigments known for their broad range of biological functions and applications. This study delves into multifaceted potential of carotenoids extracted from Haloferax larsenii NCIM 5678 previously isolated from Pachpadra Salt Lake in Rajasthan, India. H. larsenii NCIM 5678 was able to grow up to OD600 1.77 ± 0.03 with carotenoid concentration, 3.3 ± 0.03 µg/ml. The spectrophotometric analysis of carotenoid extract indicated the presence of three-fingered peak (460, 490 and 520 nm) which is a characteristic feature of bacterioruberin and its derivatives. The bacterioruberin was purified using silica gel column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. The carotenoid extract showed 12.3 ± 0.09 mm zone of growth inhibition with a minimum inhibitory concentration 546 ng/ml against indicator strain, H. larsenii HA4. The percentage antioxidant activity of carotenoid was found to be 84% which was higher as compared to commercially available ascorbic acid (56.74%). Thus, carotenoid extract from H. larsenii NCIM 5678 possesses unique attributes with compelling evidence of antimicrobial and antioxidant potential for the development of novel pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are fat-soluble bio pigments often responsible for red, orange, pink and yellow coloration of fruits and vegetables. They are commonly referred as nutraceutical which is an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs claiming to have numerous physiological benefits. However their activity often get disoriented by photonic exposure, temperature and aeration rate thus leading to low bioavailability and bio accessibility. Most of the market value for carotenoids revolves around food and cosmetic industries as supplement where they have been continuously exposed to rigorous physico-chemical treatment. Though several encapsulation techniques are now in practice to improve stability of carotenoids, the factors like shelf life during storage and controlled release from the delivery vehicle always appeared to be a bottleneck in this field. In this situation, different technologies in nanoscale is showing promising result for carotenoid encapsulation and delivery as they provide greater mass per surface area and protects most of their bioactivities. However, safety concerns related to carrier material and process must be evaluated crucially. Thus, the aim of this review was to collect and correlate technical information concerning the parameters playing pivotal role in characterization and stabilization of designed vehicles for carotenoids delivery. This comprehensive study predominantly focused on experiments carried out in past decade explaining how researchers have fabricated bioprocess engineering in amalgamation with nano techniques to improve the bioavailability for carotenoids. Furthermore, it will help the readers to understand the cognisance of carotenoids in nutraceutical market for their trendy application in food, feed and cosmeceutical industries in contemporary era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgal biotechnology offers a promising platform for the sustainable production of diverse renewable bioactive compounds. The key distinction from other microbial bioprocesses lies in the critical role that light plays in cultures, as it serves as a source of environmental information to control metabolic processes. Therefore, we can use these criteria to design a bioprocess that aims to stimulate the accumulation of target molecules by controlling light exposure. We study the effect on biochemical and photobiological responses of Golenkinia brevispicula FAUBA‐3 to the exposition of different spectral irradiances (specifically, high‐fluence PAR of narrow yellow spectrum complemented with low intensity of monochromatic radiations of red, blue, and UV‐A) under prestress and salinity stress conditions. High light (HL) intensity coupled to salinity stress affected the photosynthetic activity and photoprotection mechanisms as shown by maximal quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and non‐photochemical quenching (NPQmax) reduction, respectively. HL treatments combined with the proper dose of UV‐A radiation under salinity stress induced the highest carotenoid content (2.75 mg g dry weight [DW]−1) composed mainly of lutein and β‐carotene, and the highest lipid accumulation (35.3% DW) with the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid content (alpha‐linolenic acid (C18:3) and linoleic acid (C18:2)). Our study can guide the strategies for commercial indoor production of G. brevispicula for high‐value metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a global health problem. The mortality associated with them is one of the highest. Essentially, CVDs occur when the heart or blood vessels are damaged. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses. Increased production of reactive oxygen species can cause cardiac and vascular injuries, leading to CVDs. Antioxidant therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects on CVDs. Plants are a rich source of bioactive antioxidants on our planet. Several classes of these compounds have been identified. Among them, carotenoids and phenolic compounds are the most potent antioxidants. This review summarizes the role of some carotenoids (a/β-carotene, lycopene and lutein), polyphenols such as phenolic acids (caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic and chlorogenic acids), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and epigallocatechin gallate), and hydroxytyrosol in mitigating CVDs by studying their biological antioxidant mechanisms. Through detailed analysis, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of how these natural compounds can be integrated into cardiovascular health strategies to help reduce the overall burden of CVD.

Abstract Haloarchaeal cultures were isolated from solar salterns of Goa and Tamil Nadu and designated as BS2, BBK2 and E3. These isolates grew with a characteristic bright orange to pink pigmentation and were capable of growing in media containing upto 25% (w/vol) NaCl. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the three haloarchaeal strains BS2, BBK2 and E3 indicated an assembled genomic size of 4.1 Mb, 3.8 Mb and 4 Mb with G + C content of 61.8, 65.6 and 59.8% respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the archaeal isolates belong to Haloarcula, Haloferax and Halogeometricum genera. Haloarcula rubripromontorii BS2 was predicted to have 4292 genes with 4242 CDS regions, 46 tRNAs, 6 rRNAs and 3 misc_RNAs. In case of Haloferax lucentense BBK2, 3840 genes with 3780 CDS regions were detected along with 52 tRNAs, 5 rRNAs and 3 misc_RNAs. Halogeometricum borinquense E3 contained 4101 genes, 4043 CDS regions, 52 tRNAs, 4 rRNAs, and 2 misc_RNAs. The functional annotation and curation of the haloarchaeal genome, revealed C50 carotenoid biosynthetic genes like phytoene desaturase/carotenoid 3′ -4′ desaturase (crtI), lycopene elongase (ubiA/lyeJ) and carotenoid biosynthesis membrane protein (cruF) in the three isolates. Whereas crtD (C-3′,4′ desaturase), crtY (lycopene cyclase) and brp/blh (β-carotene dioxygenase) genes were identified only in BS2.

CcbHLH107 was cloned from early ripening mandarin fruits grown in Chongqing, and its biological information and transcription factor characteristics were analyzed. The results showed that CcbHLH107 had high homology with Arabidopsis thaliana AtbHLH107, and its promoter region contained various types of response elements such as light-responsive, abscisic acid-responsive and growth hormone-responsive elements. CcbHLH107 was localized in the nucleus and had transcriptional activation activity. One week after heterologous transient overexpression of CcbHLH107 in tobacco leaves, the leaves were significantly yellowed, and the contents of chlorophyll and its metabolite in the leaves were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). At three days after transient overexpression in early maturing mandarin fruits, obvious color changes in the peel were observed, and the expression level of CcbHLH107 in the peel was significantly increased. Compared with the control group, the contents of chlorophyll and its metabolites in the peel decreased faster in the CcbHLH107 overexpression group, and the contents of different carotenoids changed, among which the accumulation of lutein, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin was promoted. In addition, the expression of the chlorophyll degradation-related genes CcNYC1, CcChlase1, CcRCCR, and CcPAO and of the carotenoid regulation-related genes CcPSY2, CcBCH2, CcZEP, CcNCED5, CcCCS, and CcCCD4 was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CcbHLH107 accelerates the yellowing of mandarin fruits by promoting the degradation of chlorophyll and altering the contents of different carotenoids and their ratios.

Abstract Background Vitamin A is essential for physiological processes like vision and immunity. Vitamin A’s effect on gut microbiome composition, which affects absorption and metabolism of other vitamins, is still unknown. Here we examined the relationship between gut metagenome composition and six vitamin A-related metabolites (two retinoid: -retinol, 4 oxoretinoic acid (oxoRA) and four carotenoid metabolites, including beta-cryptoxanthin and three carotene diols). Methods We included 1053 individuals from the TwinsUK cohort with vitamin A-related metabolites measured in serum and faeces, diet history, and gut microbiome composition assessed by shotgun metagenome sequencing. Results were replicated in 327 women from the ZOE PREDICT-1 study. Results Five vitamin A-related serum metabolites were positively correlated with microbiome alpha diversity (r = 0.15 to r = 0.20, p

Many marine red algae species are used as food sources around the world. Here, the study focuses on free radical scavenging properties as a beneficial activity of the red alga Neopyropia yezoensis (Susabi-nori), which is consumed in Japan, and investigates quantitative changes in the compounds that could affect the activity due to processing steps. It was found that the dried and roasted samples showed more active radical scavenging properties detected by the 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay compared to the fresh samples. The contents of phenolic compounds, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), chlorophylls, and carotenoids were evaluated; it was suggested that an increase in phenolic compounds was responsible for the enhancement of the activity. On the other hand, no correlation with the activity was found for MAAs, chlorophylls, and carotenoids. Furthermore, by comparing three different sampling times (early December, early January, and early March), it was found that the sample taken in early December showed the highest radical scavenging activity. These results suggest that the useful activities of N. yezoensis, including its antioxidant activity, can be influenced by its processing steps and harvest time.

The promising future of natural colors in the food industry aligns with the shift in consumer preference toward healthier food options. These naturally derived ingredients gradually replace their artificial counterparts and find applications in a wide range of food categories, and aquatic products have emerged as one of them. In this work, we introduced the characteristics and extraction of several main types of natural pigments and also explored the positive outcomes of integrating the pigments, such as carotenoids, curcumin, anthocyanins, and betalains, in aquatic product processing and preservation. Their outstanding antioxidant and dyeing properties contribute to the production and storage of various aquatic products. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of natural pigment applications in aquatic products and to provide inspiration for future research and industry practices.

Carotenoids, having strong antioxidant properties, have been associated with neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and glaucoma, characterized by neuronal loss leading to cognitive and visual dysfunction. Therefore, carotenoids have attracted attention as factors predictive of the onset and progression of these neurodegenerative diseases. However, the impact of carotenoids on cognitive impairment and glaucomatous visual field defects remains unexplored. We conducted a retrospective, observational clinical study to investigate the association between skin carotenoid (SC) levels and cognitive impairment, as screened by the Mini-Cog test, in glaucoma patients. The study included 406 participants and 812 eyes were examined (average age: 69.7 ± 11.4 years; 228 men, 178 women) with various types of glaucoma: primary open angle (57.6%), exfoliation (18.6%), and other types (23.8%). SC levels were estimated via pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy. Mixed-effects regression models were utilized to examine the relationship between SC levels, visual field defects, and Mini-Cog results. Of the participants, 28 (6.9%) tested positive on the Mini-Cog, suggesting cognitive impairment. The average SC level in the Mini-Cog positive group was significantly lower than in the negative group (269.5 ± 86.4 A.U. vs. 329.2 ± 120.4 A.U., respectively; p = 0.01). Additionally, the visual field mean deviation (MD) in the Mini-Cog positive group was notably worse than that in the negative group (−19.64 ± 9.07 dB vs. −12.46 ± 9.28 dB, respectively; p < 0.0001). The mixed-effects regression analysis revealed a significant association between Mini-Cog positivity and lower SC levels (p = 0.0006), although SC levels did not significantly correlate with MD (p = 0.3). Our findings suggest that cognitive impairment in glaucoma patients is associated with lower SC levels, underscoring the potential benefits of maintaining carotenoid levels to slow cognitive function decline. The protective role of carotenoids in glaucoma merits further investigation.

Abstract The coffee industry holds importance, providing livelihoods for millions of farmers globally and playing a vital role in the economies of coffee-producing countries. Environmental conditions such as drought and temperature fluctuations can adversely affect the quality and yield of coffee crops.Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCO) enzymes are essential for coffee plants as they help break down carotenoids contributing to growth and stress resistance. However, knowledge about the CCO gene family in Coffee arabica was limited. In this study identified 21 CCO genes in Coffee arabica (C. arabica) revealing two subfamilies carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) and 9-cis-epoxy carotenoid dioxygenases (NCED) through phylogenic analysis. These subfamilies exhibited distribution patterns in terms of gene structure, domains, and motifs. The 21 CaCCO genes, comprising 5 NCED and 16 CCD genes were found across chromosomes. Promoter sequencing analysis revealed cis-elements that likely interact with plant stress-responsive, growth-related, and phytohormones, like auxin and abscisic acid. A comprehensive genome-wide comparison, between C. arabica and A. thaliana was conducted to understand the characteristics of CCO genes. RTqPCR data indicated that CaNCED5, CaNCED6, CaNCED12, and CaNCED20 are target genes involved in the growth of drought coffee plants leading to increased crop yield, in a conditions, with limited water availability. This reveals the role of coffee CCOs in responding to abiotic stress and identifies potential genes useful for breeding stress-resistant coffee varieties.

Background. There is reason suppose that the concentration of photosynthetic pigments in sphagnum mosses, as in vascular plants, changes throughout the year and varies from species to species. Moreover, hollow sphagnum species have a higher growth and photosynthesis rate than ridge sphagnum species, which suggests the presence of differences in the pigment complex of species from different habitats. Purpose. Evaluation of quantitative changes in the pigment complex of the sphagnum mosses growing in different microclimatic conditions within oligotrophic bogs during the growing season at high latitudes. Materials and methods. The content of photosynthetic pigments in the three Sphagnum species growing in oligotrophic conditions was determined using the photometric method in an acetone extract once a month from May to October. The study was carried out for S. fuscum and S. lindbergii in 2021-2022, and for S. angustifolium only in 2022. Statistical data processing was carried out in Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS Statistics 11. Results. Seasonal and interannual variability in the content of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and their ratios was revealed for the studied sphagnum species. The pigment complex of S. lindbergii and S. angustifolium during the growing season is influenced by the bog water level and air temperature. Changes in the pigment complex of S. fuscum are associated with the amount of precipitation. Conclusion. Apparently, the seasonal and interannual dynamics of the pigment complex of sphagnum mosses is species-specific, but to further verify this statement it is necessary to study other species of sphagnum mosses from the same habitats, since the dynamics may be associated not so much with a peculiar species, but with the ecological conditions of the habitat.

Background. It is important to study how the remediation method influences the formation of the pigment complex in Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L., growing on technogenic land. Thorough understanding of the influence produced by a heterogeneous environment on the content and distribution of pigments in conifers enables us to study the adaptive mechanisms of the species more comprehensively. In turn, information about these mechanisms can be used to create new methods for improving the quality and stability of tree stands. Purpose. The study was designed to explore the effect of the remediation method on the pigment complex forming in Scots pine during a post-technogenic succession in southern Karelia. Material and methods. Surveys were carried out in adjacent sample plots located in a decommissioned sand-and-gravel quarry and in a natural lingonberry-type pine forest site in July 2021 and 2022. The study objects were Scots pine trees growing in a natural forest site and in quarry sites remediated by forest planting. The optical density of the solutions was determined using SF-2000 spectrophotometer. Statistical data processing was done using Statistica 10 software (StatSoft Inc., USA). Results. During the two years of the study, the pigment content was the highest in needles of the trees growing on more fertile soils compared to those on poor man-made soils. The of Cl a /Cl b ratio in the needles of trees growing on poor soil was higher than in the fertilized area of the quarry or in the natural forest site in both years of the study, indicating that the plants’ pigment complex adapted to the unfavorable environmental conditions by increasing the proportion of Cl a among green pigments. Conclusions. The findings prove that the remediation method has a significant shaping effect on the pigment profile of Scots pine during post-technogenic successions.

The present study aims to evaluate nutrient retention in mango, avocado, and tomato dried using freezing, refractance windows, and oven methods. The quality parameters of the dried products were assessed, such as color, water activity, and antioxidant content. Greater color retention was observed for freeze-dried products than for products dried using other methods. All products showed low water activity (>0.4), which prevented microbial growth. Freeze-dried products had the highest content of lycopene and carotenoids. Instead, more flavonoids and phenolics were detected in the refractance window method and then in the oven-dried products. Although freeze-dried products are preferred, the refractance windows method could be a promising drying technology because of its energy savings, easy operations, and low cost.

Fucoxanthin is the most abundant carotenoid found in marine brown algae that exhibits several healthy properties. Dietary fucoxanthin is metabolized in the intestine, plasma, and other tissues to various metabolites, including fucoxanthinol. In this regard, the contribution of fucoxanthinol to the healthy properties of its precursor, fucoxanthin, against pathogenetic events associated with neurodegenerative diseases remains unexplored. Here, we evaluated and compared the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of the carotenoids fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol in in vitro models of Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s (PD) disease. Neuronal SH-SY5Y cells were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the carotenoids against ABTS radical in the membrane and cytoplasm and oxidative stress elicited by tert-butyl hydroperoxide using the 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probe. We also assessed the ability of the carotenoids to increase the glutathione (GSH) and activate the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway using the monochlorobimane probe and western blotting method, respectively. The neuroprotective effects of the carotenoids against the neurotoxicity generated by oligomers of Beta-Amyloid (1–42) peptide (OAβ) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), which are neurotoxins of AD and PD, respectively, were finally evaluated in the same neuronal cells using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. Both carotenoids could reach the cytoplasm, which explains the mainly free radical scavenging activity at this level. Notably, fucoxanthinol had higher and lower antioxidant activity than fucoxanthin at extracellular and cellular levels. Although studied carotenoids exerted the ability to activate the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway, leading to an increase of intracellular GSH, our results suggested that the antioxidant activity of the carotenoids could be mainly attributed to their radical scavenging activity in neuronal membrane and cytoplasm, where they accumulate. Fucoxanthinol also shared similar neuroprotective effects as fucoxanthin against the neurotoxicity generated by OAβ and 6-OHDA, suggesting a potential neuroprotective contribution to the action of fucoxanthin administered as a food supplement in in vivo experimental models. These results encourage further research to evaluate the bioavailability of fucoxanthinol and other metabolites of fucoxanthin at the brain level to elucidate the dietary neuroprotective potential of fucoxanthin.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate antibacterial activity of pigment extracted from bacteria, isolated from soil samples. During the study, 20 soil samples were collected from different areas (forest, agriculture fields, river sides and dumping sites) of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts which were processed for isolation of pigment producing bacteria by spread plate technique. The pigmented bacterial isolates were identified and enriched in nutrient broth. Then, pigment was extracted in 95% methanol as solvent, which was further characterized using UV-Vis Spectrophotometric and TLC analysis. The obtained crude pigment extract was processed to carry out the antimicrobial susceptibility assay using agar well diffusion method. Out of 13 total pigmented bacteria isolates, four different colored pigmented bacterial isolates (S4O, S11Y, S14P and S17G) which produced efficient pigment on nutrient agar were chosen and they were further processed. Among these isolates, S4O was identified as Staphylococcus aureus, S11Y was identified as Micrococcus luteus, S14P was identified as Micrococcus roseus and S17G was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. On characterization using UV-Vis Spectrophotometric and TLC analysis, the pigment extracted from isolates S4O, S11Y and S14P were found to be Carotenoids and from isolate S17G was found to be Pyocyanin in nature. The maximum antibacterial activity was shown against Staphylococcus aureus from all the four pigments extracts. The green color pigment extract from isolate S17G was found to be most effective against all the Gram-positive and Gram-negative test bacteria. This study suggests that these pigment extracts from pigmented bacteria may have beneficial antibacterial roles that can be exploited in controlling unwanted bacterial growth.

Microgreens and baby leaves are increasingly appreciated and consumed due to the increased concentrations of antioxidant compounds, vitamins, nutrients, and minerals than adult plants. The objective was to evaluate the effect of different substrates and protected environments on the growth of microgreen and baby leaf kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica L.) and their contents of carotenoids and chlorophylls. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement of 4 × 2 (four environments × two substrates) for the microgreens and 4 × 5 (four environments × five substrates) for the baby leaf, both with six replications. For microgreens, the Carolina Soil® commercial substrate promoted greater height, fresh matter, dry matter, productivity, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids in all evaluated environments. In the greenhouse with a screen of 35% shading under the film, greater height, fresh matter, dry matter, and productivity were obtained, and in the greenhouse with a screen of 42/50% shading under the film, higher contents of microgreen chlorophylls and carotenoids were obtained. For baby leaves, the greenhouse with 42/50% shading screen under the film promoted plants with greater height, fresh matter, dry matter, and productivity in all substrates. The baby leaf grown in the greenhouse with a screen of 35% shading under the film showed higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in the pure Carolina Soil® substrate. For greater productivity, with higher contents of pigments, greenhouses with screens under the film and the use of organomineral commercial substrate are the most suitable for microgreen and baby leaf kale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a corrigendum to an article published in the New Phytologist journal. The authors of the original article have identified errors in their work. Specifically, the equation used for carotenoid quantification in the Materials and Methods section was incorrect, resulting in incorrect graphs. The corrected equation and graphs are provided in the corrigendum. The errors do not change the conclusions of the paper. The authors apologize for the mistakes. [Extracted from the article]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by, among other things, dementia and a decline in cognitive performance. In AD, dementia has neurodegenerative features and starts with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Research indicates that apoptosis and neuronal loss occur in AD, in which oxidative stress plays an important role. Therefore, reducing oxidative stress with antioxidants is a natural strategy to prevent and slow down the progression of AD. Carotenoids are natural pigments commonly found in fruits and vegetables. They include lipophilic carotenes, such as lycopene, α- and β-carotenes, and more polar xanthophylls, for example, lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin. Carotenoids can cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and scavenge free radicals, especially singlet oxygen, which helps prevent the peroxidation of lipids abundant in the brain. As a result, carotenoids have neuroprotective potential. Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies, as well as randomized controlled trials, have mostly confirmed that carotenoids can help prevent neurodegeneration and alleviate cognitive impairment in AD. While carotenoids have not been officially approved as an AD therapy, they are indicated in the diet recommended for AD, including the consumption of products rich in carotenoids. This review summarizes the latest research findings supporting the potential use of carotenoids in preventing and alleviating AD symptoms. A literature review suggests that a diet rich in carotenoids should be promoted to avoid cognitive decline in AD. One of the goals of the food industry should be to encourage the enrichment of food products with functional substances, such as carotenoids, which may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Brazilian soils are predominantly rich in aluminum, which becomes mobile at pH < 5, affecting sensitive plants; however, some species have developed aluminum tolerance mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological responses of Crotalaria genus species, family Fabaceae, which have the ability to associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria under the influence of Al3+ in the soil. The soil used was Oxisol; the experimental design was in randomized blocks in a factorial scheme (2 × 3): soil factor (available toxic aluminum content; correction of dolomitic limestone—MgCO3) and species factor (C. juncea; C. spectabilis; C. ochroleuca); cultivated within 43, 53, and 53 days, respectively, with five replications; 30 experimental samples. Mass and length, pigments, gas exchange, and changes in nitrogen metabolism were evaluated. C. juncea showed a higher concentration of amino acids in the leaves, internal carbon, and stomatal conductance in soil with Al3+, as well as higher production of ureides, allantoinic acid, allantoic acid, proteins, and amino acids in the nodules, with 78% of the Al3+ accumulation occurring in the roots. C. ochroleuca demonstrated greater shoot length and nodule number production in limed soil; in soil with Al3+, it showed a 91% increase in chlorophyll a content and 93% in carotenoids. C. spectabilis showed a 93% increase in ureide production in the leaves in soil with Al3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the health benefits of carotenoids, it is crucial to evaluate their levels in patients undergoing malabsorptive procedures like one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). This study aimed to assess serum carotenoid levels before and 6 months following OAGB. Prospectively collected data from patients who underwent primary OAGB were analyzed. Data included anthropometrics, dietary intake assessments, and biochemical tests. Serum samples were analyzed for lipid profile and serum carotenoids, including lutein, zeaxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, phytofluene, ζ-carotene, and lycopene. Data from 27 patients (median age 47.0 years and 55.6% female) were available before and 6 months post-OAGB. The median pre-surgical BMI was 39.5 kg/m2, and the median excess weight loss at 6 months post-surgery was 63.9%. Significant decreases in all carotenoid levels were observed over time (p < 0.001 for all). A median relative decline of 65.1% in absolute total carotenoid levels and 12.7% in total cholesterol levels were found. No associations were observed between changes in clinical outcomes and carotenoid levels during the study period. This study reveals significant decreases in carotenoid levels within the first 6 months following OAGB. Nutritional intervention studies are needed to explore how incorporating carotenoid-rich foods affects post-surgery carotenoid levels and clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this study was to investigate an ultrasound-assisted method for the extraction of bioactive compounds from tomato pomace. This method was based on a simple ultrasound treatment using different solvents (e.g., acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate) as extraction media. Three different variables were chosen to determine their influence on extraction efficiency, such as solvent/liquid ratio (0.1:25 g/mL, 0.2:25 g/mL, 0.3:25 g/mL), temperature (30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C), and time (2 h, 6 h, 10 h); the variables were selected through Box–Behnken design experiments. These parameters were optimized to achieve the highest yield, and the results showed that acetone was the best extraction solvent for lycopene (3.36 mg/100 g), total phenolic content (TPC) (31.15 QUE mg/L), and total flavone content (TFC) (66.80 GAE mg/L), while DPPH activity (82.94%) was the highest when ethanol was used as the solvent. Regarding the solvent/liquid ratio, the best results were obtained at a ratio of 0.1:25. Temperature influenced the extraction, with the best results observed at 50 °C for lycopene, DPPH, and polyphenols, while the flavonoids were better extracted at 30 °C. Time played an important role as well, with the best extractions observed at 10 h. The results indicated that ultrasound-assisted extraction was suitable for extracting bioactive compounds from tomato pomace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using stress elicitors in fruits and vegetables is considered a good strategy to increase the content of bioactive compounds in plant foods. However, bioactive compounds can affect the sensory characteristics of food products, and little is known about their shelf-life stability in fresh produce treated with elicitors. In the present work, carotenoids and polyphenols were quantified by spectrophotometric methods in red and green butterhead lettuce treated with elicitors that had previously been demonstrated to increase bioactive compounds: arachidonic acid (AA), methyl jasmonate (MJ), and Harpin protein (HP). The bioactive compounds were determined immediately and during three weeks after harvest. A descriptive sensory analysis was carried out, which included odor, taste, tactile, and visual attributes of control and elicitor-treated lettuce. Carotenoids showed greater shelf-life stability than polyphenols, and both were more stable in red than in green lettuce during the first two weeks of storage. The best elicitor was MJ, which increased phenolic compounds (red and green lettuce), anthocyanins, and carotenoids (red lettuce) through the storage period. Color intensity, crispness, wettability, and bitter taste were some of the primary sensory attributes in butterhead lettuce and were not affected by any treatment. Other organoleptic properties were also not affected by the elicitors. These results suggest that elicitation could improve the content of bioactive compounds, which is stable through the shelf-life of butterhead lettuce, without any adverse effect on the sensory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the impact of the encapsulation of sea buckthorn and grape pomace extracts in liposomal formulations on the retention and release of bioactive compounds and their antioxidant activity. The profile and composition of lipophilic extracts of sea buckthorn and hydrophilic extracts of grape pomace were analyzed. Encapsulation efficiency, retention rate, and the content of bioactive compounds encapsulated in liposomal formulations prepared in two media—water and ethanol—were evaluated. The encapsulation efficiency varied between 84 and 90%, indicating the superior encapsulation of the bioactive compounds. The retention rate varied between 79 and 86%, which indicated the stability of the liposome-encapsulated compounds over time. The antioxidant activity of the encapsulated samples was determined in vitro, under the conditions of gastric (pH 1.8) and intestinal (pH 8.2) digestion, in relation to the non-encapsulated extracts. The antioxidant activity of both liposomal formulations was higher than that of the nonencapsulated extracts during gastric digestion. Moreover, an increase over time in the antioxidant activity, expressed as % DPPH inhibition, was observed for all samples, with around 90% DPPH inhibition for non-encapsulated extracts and 92% for the encapsulated extracts, demonstrating the stability of bioactive compounds in acidic pH. Oppositely, when exposed to intestinal simulated digestion (alkaline pH), the antioxidant activity decreased over time to around 24% DPPH inhibition for both encapsulated and nonencapsulated extracts. These results provide a foundation for the further development and application of liposomal delivery systems in functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vitamin A is essential for physiological processes like vision and immunity. Vitamin A's effect on gut microbiome composition, which affects absorption and metabolism of other vitamins, is still unknown. Here we examined the relationship between gut metagenome composition and six vitamin A-related metabolites (two retinoid: -retinol, 4 oxoretinoic acid (oxoRA) and four carotenoid metabolites, including beta-cryptoxanthin and three carotene diols). Methods: We included 1053 individuals from the TwinsUK cohort with vitamin A-related metabolites measured in serum and faeces, diet history, and gut microbiome composition assessed by shotgun metagenome sequencing. Results were replicated in 327 women from the ZOE PREDICT-1 study. Results: Five vitamin A-related serum metabolites were positively correlated with microbiome alpha diversity (r = 0.15 to r = 0.20, p < 4 × 10−6). Carotenoid compounds were positively correlated with the short-chain fatty-acid-producing bacteria Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Coprococcus eutactus. Retinol was not associated with any microbial species. We found that gut microbiome composition could predict circulating levels of carotenoids and oxoretinoic acid with AUCs ranging from 0.66 to 0.74 using random forest models, but not retinol (AUC = 0.52). The healthy eating index (HEI) was strongly associated with gut microbiome diversity and with all carotenoid compounds, but not retinoids. We investigated the mediating role of carotenoid compounds on the effect of a healthy diet (HEI) on gut microbiome diversity, finding that carotenoids significantly mediated between 18 and 25% of the effect of HEI on gut microbiome alpha diversity. Conclusions: Our results show strong links between circulating carotene compounds and gut microbiome composition and potential links to a healthy diet pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is an important source of food globally; however, fillet color can significantly affect consumer purchasing, leading to potential food waste. Fish diets can be supplemented with astaxanthin to increase the organic pigment, carotenoid, responsible for flesh coloration; however, there is variation in the amount of overall fillet coloration in response to feeding astaxanthin. The uptake of this pigment is influenced by the environment and genetics and has been shown to be heritable. Therefore, we set out to determine the genomic associations of two separate year classes of farmed North American Atlantic salmon with measured Minolta Chroma Meter (lightness, redness, and yellowness) and SalmoFan phenotypic traits. Using ASReml-R genome-wide association, two genetic markers on chromosome 26 were significantly associated with almost all color traits, and these two markers explained between 6.0% and 12.5% of the variances. The genomic region on chromosome 26 was importantly found to be associated with the beta-carotene oxygenase 1 (bco1) gene, which is essential in the conversion of beta-carotenoids to vitamin A, implying that this gene may also play an important role in flesh coloration in North American Atlantic salmon. Additionally, there were several genomic regions significantly associated with color traits, in which the accompanying genes had functions in line with thermogenesis, immune function, and pathogenic responses. Understanding how environmental and genetic factors work together to affect fillet quality traits will help inform genetic improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

【Objective】The study was conducted to explore the changes in quality of different varieties of fresh sweet potato during storage, which would provide data support and theoretical guidance for the research of storage quality and scientific storage of fresh sweet potato.【Method】In the study, six fresh sweet potato varieties, ‘AN’ ‘G42’ ‘G87’ ‘G72’ ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ were stored at temperature of 18 (±1)℃ and humidity of 70 (±2)% for 60 days. The change rules of indicators such as rot rate, weight loss rate, dry matter weight, amylase activity, starch, soluble sugar, carotenoids and flavor during storage and correlation analysis of these indicators were studied.【Result】After 60 days of storage，the rot rates of ‘AN’ ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ reached 60.87%, 50.00% and 44.00%, showing serious rot; while the rot rates of ‘G87’ and ‘G72’ were only 12.50% and 8.70%. The soluble sugar content and flavor of six fresh sweet potato varieties increased with the extension of storage time, while the starch content decreased. The β-amylase was the main amylase in fresh sweet potato, and the β-amylase activity of ‘G42’ ‘G87’ ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ decreased by 30% to 50% during storage, while that of other varieties decreased by about 10%. In addition, compared with before storage, the carotenoid contents of ‘AN’ and ‘G42’ decreased by 17% to 23% after storage, while the carotenoid contents of the ‘G87’ and ‘G72’ increased by 22% to 36%. After storage for 60 days, there was no significant difference in carotenoids content between ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ compared with that before storage.【Conclusion】The six varieties of fresh sweet potato showed different storage characteristics during storage, among which ‘G87’ and ‘G72’ had a low rot rate during storage, and the storage period could be extended appropriately. ‘G42’ ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ began to rot after 30 days of storage and were not suitable for long-term storage. The flavor of ‘AN’ increased significantly after 15 days of storage, but extensive rot appeared after 45 days of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deviations in the biochemical composition and the formation of secondary metabolites have all been linked to the metabolic fluxes that underlie plant resistance. The current investigation was undertaken to know the induced defence against Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) via altered metabolic flux in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. Pusa Mustard 30, RH 749, NRCHB 101, DRMR 150-35, RH 0406, Pusa Mustard 27 and Pusa Vijay had higher levels constitutive photosynthetic pigments, activity of constitutive enzymes and total glucosinolates, except in a few cases. However, due to infestation by the L. erysimi, the levels of photosynthetic pigments and total glucosinolates significantly decreased, while the activity of antioxidative enzymes and myrosinase increased. However, decrease in the photosynthetic pigments was significantly higher in NRCHB 101, RLC 3, DRMR 150-35, Chattisgarh Sarson and Pusa Double Zero Mustard 31, except in a few cases. Further, RH 725, Pusa Mustard 26, DRMR 150-35, NRCHB 101 and RH 0406 displayed significant enhancement in the antioxidative enzymes, except in a few cases. Total glucosinolate content reduced significantly in Pusa Mustard 26, DRMRIJ 16-38, NRCHB 101, DRMR 150-35 and RH 749, while the activity of myrosinase enhance notably in Pusa Vijay, Pusa Double Zero Mustard 31, Pusa Mustard 25 and NRCHB 101. Present study displayed phytochemicals defence against L. erysimi through shift in the levels of various pigments, enzymes and glucosinolate content. Cultivars RH 725, Pusa Mustard 26, DRMR 150-35, NRCHB 101 and RH 0406 showed significant variation the induced levels of various phytochemicals and enzymes, thus cane be used in Brassica breeding programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides its sensory characteristics, campolay fruit has the potential to be functional food. The yellow color of campolay fruit indicates the presence of carotenoids. One highly beneficial group of carotenoids is beta-carotene, which is abundantly available in agricultural products and makes this compound one of the most advantageous components in the prevention and treatment of various types of eye diseases. HPLC, which stands for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, is a chemical analysis technique used to separate, identify, and measure the components in a solution mixture. The beta-carotene testing process in campolay fruit is conducted using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) equipment with a visible light detector at a wavelength of 446 nm. From the HPLC analysis, the regression equation obtained is y = 366032x - 6388. From the standard beta-carotene solution, a linear relationship between absorbance and concentration was obtained with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9996. The peak area of the campolay fruit extract was obtained. The sample concentration is calculated by comparing the peak area of the sample with the peak area of the standard beta-carotene, resulting in the beta-carotene concentration of the campolay fruit extract using the high-performance liquid chromatography method. Based on the beta)carotene concentration of the campolay fruit obtained from this study, it can be concluded that the beta-carotene concentration of the campolay fruit is 0.15 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors studied the content of photosynthetic pigments and their ratio during the warm period of the year (May–October) and during the period with stable snow cover (April) in sphagnum moss Sphagnum papillosum Lindb. on an oligotrophic bog in Arkhangelsk oblast. The content of photosynthetic pigments decreased from May to July, reaching a minimum, and then increased again by autumn. The content of pigments in moss tissues under the snow was comparable to the July minimum. Based on the results of factor and cluster analyses, it was suggested that the S. papillosum pigment complex in the first half of the growing season is adapted to high insolation and a long photoperiod, which is reflected by such indicators as the chlorophyll a/b ratio and the proportion of chlorophylls in the light-harvesting complex. In addition, during the growing season, the pigment complex apparently adapts to moisture conditions that depend on precipitation, especially during the period of summer decrease in the bog water level, which reflects the Chl/Car ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article outlines the physiological and biochemical parameters of 10 exotic accessions of two local cultivars of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.). By analyzing the plant leaf spectrophotometrically at the bud formation phase, exotic sample Bio-520 x 1330 showed chlorophyll а of 21.47 mg/ml, Bio (520 x Bio) x 273 with chlorophyll b of 12.79 mg/ml, and Ratan x IG 135481 had carotenoids at 5.57 mg/ml. Based on total pigments, Ratan x 1307 gave the highest value (30.24 mg/ml), while in the flowering phase, Ratan x IG 135481 showed chlorophyll а of 21.37 mg/ml, Ratan x 2125 with chlorophyll b of 16.51 mg/ml, and Prateek x IG 140034 with carotenoid of 6.02 mg/ml. For Ratan x 2125, the total pigments were 37.14 mg/ml, with the highest values for all traits. In the ripening phase, Bio 520 x 1330 with chlorophyll а (11.92 mg/ml), Ratan x 2125 with chlorophyll b (16.63 mg/ml), 1330 x 2125 with carotenoid (4.04 mg/ml), and Ratan x 2125 with total pigments (25.62 mg/ml). Higher protein content resulted in seeds of Prateek x IG 140035 (26.3%), Bio (520 x Bio) x 273 (26.1%), and Ratan x 1307 (26.0). Besides, 1330 x 2125 has biochemical elements (Li, B, Na, Cu, and As), Ratan x 2125 (Mg, K, Ca, Ti, Sr, and Ba), Ratan x IG 135481 (Rb, Mo, and Cd), and Prateek x IG 140034 with chemical elements (Al, Fe, and Ag). The control Lalmikor provided B, Mn, Rb, and Ag higher than other exotic samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaranth is an indispensable C4 agricultural crop with considerably reduced productivity under hypothermia loading. During seed ripening, chilling stress (1 °C–2 °C) can harm the photosynthetic organs in the plants and reduce the efficiency of low-molecular-weight defense systems. The studies on the content of low-molecular-weight antioxidants commenced in the leaves of the Amaranth cultivar Valentina cultivated in an open field in the post-stress period (after a chilling stress). After chilling at 2 °C in the post-stress period, older leaves of the main shoot displayed partial damage, while young leaves of the lateral shoots visually maintained a native appearance. The ascorbic acid (AA) content showed significant variations in the leaves. The content of possessing antioxidant properties revealed red-colored amaranthine decreased during this period, i.e., 1.5–1.9 times in young leaves, 3.5 times in leaves damaged by cold (DC), and non-damaged by cold (NDC) leaves showed a 1.1-times decrease. The decline in photosynthetic pigment content varied from 14% for carotenoids (Cars) to 60% for chlorophylls a (Chl a) and b (Chl b) in NDC leaves. The water and ethanol-soluble antioxidant contents improved with repeated cold stress (2 °C) in young leaves. The same pattern was also evident for the ascorbic acid and amaranthine content enhancement (20%–25% and 30%, respectively). The formation of hypothermia-induced tolerance in the leaves of different ages in autumn, which are the prime producers of low-molecular-weight antioxidants, signified a close relationship to the functioning of hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting more floret primordia within a spike to acquire fertile potential during the differentiation and pre-dimorphism phases is critical for increasing the number of fertile florets per spike (NFFs). However, it is yet unknown the physiological mechanism regulating the complex and dynamic process. This study aimed to clarify how intra-spike hormones, pigments, and assimilates coordinate with each other to regulate spike morphology and then floret primordia development. A two-year field experiment was conducted with two winter wheat genotypes: N50 (big-spike with greater NFFs) and SM22 (mediumspike with fewer NFFs). We monitored high temporal and spatial-resolution changes in the number and morphology of floret primordia within a spike, as well as in intra-spike hormones, pigments, and assimilates. Our results revealed that the big-spike genotype had more NFFs than the medium-spike genotype, not only because they had more spikelets, but also because they had greater NFFs mainly at central spikelets. More floret primordia at central spikelets had sufficient time to develop and acquire fertile potential during the differentiation phase (167-176 d after sowing, DAS) and the pre-dimorphism phase (179 DAS) for the big-spike genotype than the medium-spike genotype. Floret primordia with fertile morphology during the pre-dimorphism phase always developed into fertile florets during the dimorphism phase. Those early-developed floret primordia most proximal and intermediate to the rachis in the big-spike genotype developed faster than the medium-spike genotype. Correspondingly, the spike dry matter and pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotene, and carotenoids) content during 170-182 DAS, auxin (IAA) and cytokinin (CTK) content on 167 DAS were significantly higher in the big-spike genotype than in the medium-spike genotype, while jasmonic acid (JA) content was significantly lower in the big-spike genotype compared to the medium-spike genotype during 167-182 DAS. Since the significant differences in intra-spike hormone content of the two genotypes appear earlier than those in dry matter and pigments, we propose a possible model that helped the N50 genotype (big-spike) to form more fertile florets, taking the intra-spike hormone content as a signaling molecule induced assimilates and pigments synthesis, which accelerated the development of more floret primordia during the differentiation phase and then acquired fertile potential during the pre-dimorphism phase, finally improved the NFFs. Our high temporal and spatial-resolution analysis provides an accurate time window for precision cultivation and effective physiological breeding to improve the number of fertile florets in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoporphyra haitanensis, a red alga harvested for food, thrives in the intertidal zone amid dynamic and harsh environments. High irradiance represents a major stressor in this habitat, posing a threat to the alga's photosynthetic apparatus. Interestingly, N. haitanensis has adapted to excessive light despite the absence of a crucial xanthophyll cycle‐dependent photoprotection pathway. Thus, it is valuable to investigate the mechanisms by which N. haitanensis copes with excessive light and to understand the photoprotective roles of carotenoids. Under high light intensities and prolonged irradiation time, N. haitanensis displayed reduction in photosynthetic efficiency and phycobiliproteins levels, as well as different responses in carotenoids. The decreased carotene contents suggested their involvement in the synthesis of xanthophylls, as evidenced by the up‐regulation of lycopene‐β‐cyclase (lcyb) and zeaxanthin epoxidase (zep) genes. Downstream xanthophylls such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and antheraxanthin increased proportionally to light stress, potentially participating in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). When accompanied by the enhanced activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), these factors resulted in a reduction in ROS production. The responses of intermediates α‐cryptoxanthin and β‐cryptoxanthin were felt somewhere between carotenes and zeaxanthin/lutein. Furthermore, these changes were ameliorated when the organism was placed in darkness. In summary, down‐regulation of the organism's photosynthetic capacity, coupled with heightened xanthophylls and APX activity, activates photoinhibition quenching (qI) and antioxidant activity, helping N. haitanensis to protect the organism from the damaging effects of excessive light exposure. These findings provide insights into how red algae adapt to intertidal lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]