Carotenoids antioxidant properties

In the stomach, carotenoids are exposed to acid environments. This can lead to carotenoid isomerization, which can change carotenoid antioxidant properties, solubility, and absorption. In humans, (3-carotene absorption is reduced when the pH of the gastric fluids is below 4.5 (Tang and others 1995). Vitamin E consumption seems to reduce carotenoid absorption in animals, presumably because vitamin E and carotenoids compete for absorption (Furr and Clark 1997). Dietary sterols, such as those in sterol-supplemented functional foods, are also known to decrease carotenoid absorption. 

Carotenoids, present in fruits and vegetables, are widely believed to protect human health. In particular, some epidemiological studies have correlated the intake of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables with protection from some forms of cancer (4,5). This action is probably due to the carotenoids antioxidant properties rather than to their vitamin A activity. 

As has already been stated, the carotenoids are lipophilic and are therefore absorbed and transported in association with the lipoprotein particles. In theory, this fortuitous juxtaposition of lipid and carotenoid should confer protection on the lipid through the antioxidant properties of the carotenoid. No doubt some antioxidant protection is afforded by the presence of the carotenoids derived from the diet. However, with one or two exceptions, human supplementation studies have not supported a role for higher dose carotenoid supplements in reducing the susceptibility of the low-density lipoproteins to oxidation, either ex vivo or in vivo (Wright et al, 2002 Hininger et al, 2001 Iwamoto et al, 2000). 

Fruifs and vegetables also contain ofher bioactive substances such as polyphenols (including well-known pigments anthocyanins, flavonols) and non-provitamin A carotenoids (mainly lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) that may have protective effects on chronic diseases. Polyphenols and carotenoids are known to display antioxidant activities, counteracting oxidative alterations in cells. Besides these antioxidant properties, these colored bioactive substances may exert other actions on cell signaling and gene expression. 

The food technologist may be especially interested in the fate of the carotenoids in the seed oil. Like red palm oil, the resulting carotenoid-pigmented canola oil may be more stable due to the antioxidant properties of carotenoids and may be more attractive to consumers. Alternatively, for food security concerns, transgenic soybean or canola oils and seed meals that are genetically modified for more efficient bio-diesel production may be bio-safety marked with lipid-soluble carotenoids and water-soluble anthocyanins, respectively. Potatoes are excellent potential sources of dietary carotenoids, and over-expression of CrtB in tubers led to the accumulation of P-carotene. Potatoes normally have low levels of leaf-type carotenoids, like canola cotyledons. 

Bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids have strong antioxidative properties and are used as efficient radical scavengers. In some natural sources several carotenoid isomers can be found, which differ in their biochemical activities such as bioavailability or antioxidation potency. Knowing the structure and concentration of each stereoisomer is crucial for an understanding of the effectiveness... 

As the therapy of AMD is very limited, there is an urgent need to develop an intervention to prevent vision loss. The epidemiological data together with the well-documented antioxidant properties of carotenoids in studies in vitro and with proven increases in macular pigment density in most people via dietary supplementation (Beatty et al., 2004 Berendschot et al., 2000 Bone et al., 2003 Hammond et al., 1997 Iannaccone et al., 2007 Landrum et al., 1997), including patients with early AMD (Koh et al., 2004 Obana et al., 2008 Richer et al., 2007 Trieschmann... 

Zhang, L. X., R. V. Cooney, and J. S. Bertram. 1992. Carotenoids up-regulate connexin43 gene expression independent of their provitamin A or antioxidant properties. Cancer Res 52(20) 5707-5712. 

This method is also used to measure ex vivo low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. LDL is isolated fresh from blood samples, oxidation is initiated by Cu(II) or AAPH, and peroxidation of the lipid components is followed at 234 nm for conjugated dienes (Prior and others 2005). In this specific case the procedure can be used to assess the interaction of certain antioxidant compounds, such as vitamin E, carotenoids, and retinyl stearate, exerting a protective effect on LDL (Esterbauer and others 1989). Hence, Viana and others (1996) studied the in vitro antioxidative effects of an extract rich in flavonoids. Similarly, Pearson and others (1999) assessed the ability of compounds in apple juices and extracts from fresh apple to protect LDL. Wang and Goodman (1999) examined the antioxidant properties of 26 common dietary phenolic agents in an ex vivo LDL oxidation model. Salleh and others (2002) screened 12 edible plant extracts rich in polyphenols for their potential to inhibit oxidation of LDL in vitro. Gongalves and others (2004) observed that phenolic extracts from cherry inhibited LDL oxidation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Yildirin and others (2007) demonstrated that grapes inhibited oxidation of human LDL at a level comparable to wine. Coinu and others (2007) studied the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from artichoke leaves and outer bracts measured on human oxidized LDL. Milde and others (2007) showed that many phenolics, as well as carotenoids, enhance resistance to LDL oxidation. 

Lako J, Trenerry, VC, Wahlqvist M, Wattanapenpaiboon N, Sotheeswaran S and Premier R. 2007. Phytochemical flavonols, carotenoids and the antioxidant properties of a wide selection of Fijian fruit, vegetables and other readily available foods. Food Chem 101(4) 1727-1741. 

Additionally there is an increasing interest in carotenoids because of their potentially beneficial health effects, such as provitamin A, anticarcinogenic, antiulcer, antiaging, and antioxidant properties and increased immune responses (27,28). Because the vitamin A potential of cis isomers is less than those of their all-trans counterparts, it is important to distinguish and quantify the various forms (29). According to reports and clinical studies carotenes may be important in the prevention of some forms of cancer (30). Since the National Cancer Institute has recommended an increased intake of food high in carotenoids (31), more detailed information about the carotenoid composition of foodstuffs is desirable. 

Besides the engineering of S. cerevisiae for organic acid production, through metabolic engineering it is possible to reconstruct entire pathways. In 1994, Yamano et al. [163] reported the reconstruction of a complete secondary metabolic pathway in S. cerevisiae, resulting in the ability of the yeast to produce p-carotene and lycopene. Carotenoids are a class of pigments used in the food industry and, due to their antioxidant properties, they have wide commercial interest. The biosynthesis of these compounds does naturally not occur in S. cerevisiae and to allow... 

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