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Lutein
Kinds of Lutein Terms modified by Lutein Selected AbstractsSUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION AND DETERMINATION OF LUTEIN IN HETEROTROPHICALLY CULTIVATED CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSAJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2007ZHENGYUN WU ABSTRACT Chlorella is a promising alternative resource of lutein, as it can be cultivated heterotrophically and efficiently in a fermentor. In this study, high density of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was achieved by fed-batch cultivations. Lutein in Chlorella was extracted by supercritical fluid and was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The extraction degree of lutein reached 87.0% after 4-h extraction under the optimized conditions of 50C, 25 MPa and modified CO2 with 50% ethanol. High purity of lutein could be obtained by supercritical fluid extraction with appropriate operation parameters. The whole process developed in this study may be useful for the commercial production of lutein. [source] The Influence of Dietary Lutein and Zeaxanthin on Visual PerformanceJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010James M. Stringham ABSTRACT:, The idea that normal constituents of the diet can influence visual function is not new. As early as 1782, Buzzi identified the yellow of the macula and Schulze (1866) specifically postulated that the yellow pigments led to improvements in human vision. These pigments were later found to be derived from dietary lutein and zeaxanthin that are known to be oxygenated carotenoids (xanthophylls). Walls and Judd (1933) postulated that these yellow intraocular pigments could improve visual performance by absorbing light scattered both within (for example, glare) and outside of the eye (increasing visual range by absorbing blue light scattered in the atmosphere), and by improving spatial vision through enhancing contrast and reducing chromatic blur. In this article, evidence for these ideas is reviewed with particular emphasis towards more recent data on glare effects. [source] Flowers and Leaves of Tropaeolum majus L. as Rich Sources of LuteinJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2005P.Y. Niizu ABSTRACT: As increasing evidence supports the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in reducing the risk of cataract and macular degeneration, food sources of these carotenoids are being sought. In the present study, the lutein content of the edible flowers and leaves of Tropaeolum majus L. was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDAD), complemented by HPLC-mass spectrometry (MS) for identification. Chemical reactions were also used as identifying parameters. The yellow and brownish orange flowers had 450 ± 60 ,g/g and 350 ± 50 ,g/g lutein, respectively. Violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, zeinoxanthin, ,-cryptoxanthin, ,-carotene, and ,-carotene were also detected at very low levels. The leaves had 136 ± 18 ,g/g lutein, 69 ± 7 ,g/g ,-carotene, 74 ± 23 ,g/g violaxanthin, and 48 ± 13 ,g/g neoxanthin. Lutein was partly esterified in the flowers and unesterified in the leaves. The flowers of T. majus are therefore excellent food sources of lutein and the leaves good sources of both lutein and the provitamin A ,-carotene. [source] Effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on aspects of eye healthJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 1 2010Le Ma Abstract Lutein and zeaxanthin are members of the oxygenated carotenoids found particularly in egg yolks and dark-green leafy vegetables. A great deal of research has focused on their beneficial roles in eye health. The present article summarises the current literature related to the bioactivity of these carotenoids, emphasising their effects and possible mechanisms of action in relation to human eye health. Available evidence demonstrates that lutein and zeaxanthin are widely distributed in a number of body tissues and are uniquely concentrated in the retina and lens, indicating that each has a possible specific function in these two vital ocular tissues. Most of epidemiological studies and clinical trials support the notion that lutein and zeaxanthin have a potential role in the prevention and treatment of certain eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract and retinitis pigmentosa. The biological mechanisms for the protective effects of these carotenoids may include powerful blue-light filtering activities and antioxidant properties. Although most studies point towards significant health benefits from lutein and zeaxanthin, further large-scale randomised supplementation trials are needed to define their effects on ocular function in health and disease. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Influence of growth stage and postharvest storage on ascorbic acid and carotenoid content and visual quality of baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 3 2006Sara ÅM Bergquist Abstract To investigate the variations in quality with growth stage and postharvest storage, spinach was sown on three occasions. For each occasion, the spinach was harvested at three growth stages at 6-day intervals. The second stage corresponded to a growth period used for baby spinach by commercial growers. After harvest, the leaves were stored in polypropylene bags at 2 °C or 10 °C. The highest ascorbic acid content in fresh material was found at stage I. During storage, the ascorbic acid content decreased considerably and the dehydroascorbic acid/vitamin C ratio increased. Storage at 2 °C gave a smaller reduction in ascorbic acid content than storage at 10 °C. Total carotenoid content increased or remained stable during storage. Lutein was the major carotenoid, making up about 39% of the total carotenoid content, followed by violaxanthin, ,-carotene and neoxanthin. Visual quality decreased during storage in most cases, and was correlated to initial ascorbic acid and dry matter contents. The initial AA content might therefore be used as a parameter for predicting the shelf-life of baby spinach. The results also indicate that by harvesting baby spinach a few days earlier than the current commercial stage of harvest the postharvest visual quality and nutritional quality may be improved. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Lutein in patients with cataracts and age-related macular degeneration: a long-term supplementation studyJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2001B Olmedilla Abstract Lutein, a non-provitamin A xanthophyll, is widely distributed in fruits and vegetables frequently consumed. In human serum, lutein is transported by lipoproteins and selectively accumulated in certain tissues (eg the retina). Epidemiological studies suggest that high intake and serum levels of lutein are associated with a lower risk of cataracts and age-related maculopathy. Subjects diagnosed with cataracts (CA; n,,=,5) or age-related macular degeneration (ARMD; n,,=,5) agreed to take three lutein capsules per week. Each capsule potentially provided about 12,mg of all- trans -lutein, 3,mg of 13/15- cis -lutein and 3.3,mg of ,-tocopherol, as revealed by HPLC. Zeaxanthin was not detected. Average supplementation time was 13 months (range 4,20 months) for ARMD subjects and 26 months (range 16,36 months) for CA subjects. Blood samples for carotenoid analysis were collected every 3 months, coinciding with ophthalmological revision. In serum, concentrations of lutein, 13- cis -lutein and two ketocarotenoids increased significantly. Maximum increments were observed at 3,6 months, reaching levels above the 95th percentile of the reference population (>0.44,µmol,l,1). Ophthalmological evaluation showed an average increment in visual acuity of 0.4, and glare sensitivity also improved. No significant side effects such as hypercarotenemia, carotenodermia or changes in biochemical or haematological profile were observed. Thus, lutein supplementation at achievable dietary levels increased and maintained serum lutein levels, which were associated with an improvement in the visual function of the patients. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [source] 4211: Xanthophylls from blood to retinaACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010L BRETILLON Xanthophylls are dietary lipophilic compounds. Among them, lutein and zeaxanthin are the major carotenoids found in the human lens and retina, and referred as macular pigment within the retina. Lutein and zeaxanthin cannot be synthesized endogenously. They may therefore be considered as essential and must be provided by adequate dietary intakes. Lutein and zeaxanthin are present in various food items, mainly in plants and fruits such as green vegetables or yellow-orange fruits, as well as in a few animal sources, such as egg yolk. Epidemiological studies consistently suggest that dietary lutein and zeaxanthin are protective factors against the development of Age-Related Maculopathies and Age-related Macular Degeneration. Intervention trials consisting in supplementing the diet with lutein and zeaxanthin demonstrate the bioavailability of those carotenoids in plasma and, in some of them, their efficacy in increasing the density of the macular pigment. An overview will be presented on the mechanisms of xanthophyll bioavailability in blood and retina. [source] 4215: Lutein and macular degenerationACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010C DELCOURT [source] Time-resolved fluorescence analysis of the recombinant photosystem II antenna complex CP29FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 2 2001Effects of zeaxanthin, phosphorylation Nonradiative dissipation of excitation energy is the major photoprotective mechanism in plants. The formation of zeaxanthin in the antenna of photosystem II has been shown to correlate with the onset of nonphotochemical quenching in vivo. We have used recombinant CP29 protein, over-expressed in Escherichia coli and refolded in vitro with purified pigments, to obtain a protein indistinguishable from the native complex extracted from thylakoids, binding either violaxanthin or zeaxanthin together with lutein. These recombinant proteins and the native CP29 were used to measure steady-state chlorophyll fluorescence emission and fluorescence decay kinetics. We found that the presence of zeaxanthin bound to CP29 induces a ,,35% decrease in fluorescence yield with respect to the control proteins (the native and zeaxanthin-free reconstituted proteins). Fluorescence decay kinetics showed that four components are always present but lifetimes (,) as well as relative fluorescence quantum yields (rfqy) of the two long-lived components (,3 and ,4) are modified by the presence of zeaxanthin. The most relevant changes are observed in the rfqy of ,3 and in the average lifetime (, 2.4 ns with zeaxanthin and 3.2,3.4 ns in the control proteins). When studied in vitro, no significant effect of acidic pH (5.2,5.3) is observed on chlorophyll a fluorescence yield or kinetics. The data presented show that recombinant CP29 is able to bind zeaxanthin and this protein-bound zeaxanthin induces a significant quenching effect. [source] Maternal carotenoid supplementation does not affect breeding performance in the Great Tit (Parus major)FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2007VLADIMÍR REME Summary 1Carotenoids are micronutrients with many beneficial health-related effects. They are effective antioxidants and stimulants of the immune system. Carotenoids cannot be synthesized in animals and must be obtained from food. As such, they may limit reproductive output and performance, and on the proximate level mediate reproductive trade-offs. 2We studied carotenoid limitation in wild Great Tits (Parus major) by supplementing prelaying and laying females with lutein, the most abundant carotenoid in this species. We followed the effects of this supplementation on egg yolk carotenoid composition, and offspring and parental performance. 3Females transferred the supplemented lutein into egg yolks, increasing lutein concentration to the upper limit of naturally occurring concentrations in control pairs. Concentrations of zeaxanthin, ,-carotene and ,-carotene did not differ between supplemented and control pairs. 4Effects on offspring and parental performance were generally absent or weak. There were no effects on timing of laying, clutch size, hatching success, nestling survival, nestling mass (day 6 and 14), tarsus length or T-cell mediated immune response. Males on supplemented nests fed their young more than those on control nests. There was no positive effect on female feeding or mass. 5Negligible effects of lutein supplementation on offspring and parental performance might be explained by high natural abundance of carotenoids or other antioxidants, where additional carotenoids bear no strong advantage to the birds. Additionally, conflicting results of different studies may be explained by species-specific features of their life-histories. [source] Carotenoid accumulation strategies for becoming a colourful House Finch: analyses of plasma and liver pigments in wild moulting birdsFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2006K. J. MCGRAW Summary 1Male House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) colour their sexually selected plumage with carotenoid pigments, and there has been much interest in the factors that affect their ability to become bright red rather than drab yellow. 2There is good support for the notions that health, nutritional condition and total carotenoid intake influence colour expression, but there are also suggestions that acquiring particular types of carotenoids from the diet may be important for developing red plumage. 3We used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyse the types and amounts of endogenous (in plasma and liver) and integumentary (in newly grown feathers) carotenoids in a wild, native population of moulting male and female House Finches from the south-western United States to determine the carotenoid-accumulation strategies for becoming optimally colourful. 4Four plant carotenoids , lutein, zeaxanthin, ,-cryptoxanthin and ,-carotene , were detected in plasma and liver. However, as was found previously, 11 carotenoids were observed in colourful plumage, with xanthophylls (e.g. lutein, dehydrolutein) predominant in yellow feathers and ketocarotenoids (e.g. adonirubin, 3-hydroxy-echinenone) in red feathers. This indicates endogenous modification of ingested carotenoids. 5Birds that accumulated more of one type of carotenoid in plasma and liver did not necessarily accumulate more of all other types, suggesting that individuals are not employing a simple ,more is better' strategy for coloration. Instead, when forward stepwise regression was used to examine the ability of individual types of carotenoids in plasma and liver to explain variation in red plumage pigments and plumage redness, we found that the lone variable remaining in all models was ,-cryptoxanthin concentration. 6This supports the idea that, unlike some other songbirds (e.g. yellow Carduelis finches), there is a specialized biochemical strategy that male House Finches follow to become red and most sexually attractive , to accumulate as much ,-cryptoxanthin in the body as possible. ,-Cryptoxanthin is a less common dietary carotenoid than the typical xanthophylls and carotenes in grains and fruits and may be limited enough in the diet that, to become colourful, House Finches might adopt selective foraging strategies for the most ,-cryptoxanthin-rich foods. [source] Fat stores in birds: an overlooked sink for carotenoid pigments?FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2001J. J. Negro Summary 1,Carotenoids are responsible for the most striking colours in birds, but also play an important role as enhancers of the immune system. Consequently, a trade-off between the ornamental and health functions of carotenoids in birds has been proposed. 2,Although it is well known that birds can store carotenoids in different organs and tissues, including the fat stores, until now all field studies of the regulation of carotenoid stores have focused on plasma carotenoids. 3,Carotenoids in the fat of 44 wild Greylag Geese (Anser anser L.) wintering in south-western Spain were identified and quantified. In addition, the relationships between carotenoids and the size of the fat stores, as well as the sex and age of the geese, were analysed. 4,The major carotenoid in goose fat was lutein. This and related carotenoids are also the most prevalent pigments in bird plasma and secondary sexual characters. We also detected ,-cryptoxanthin, ,-carotene, neochrome and neoxanthin. Total carotenoid concentration was negatively correlated with the size of the fat stores. Males had higher concentrations of carotenoids than females. 5A possible explanation for these patterns is that male birds tend to have higher plasma carotenoids than females, a difference that could be transposed to fat if carotenoids diffused passively from the blood into adipose tissues. Carotenoids, however, may tend to remain in the fat stores. If this were true, fat would not be a reservoir of carotenoids, but a sink where a significant amount of these pigments would be sequestered, being no longer available for other functions. [source] Dietary carotenoids and risk of colon cancer: Case-control studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2004André Nkondjock Abstract Some epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of fruits and vegetables with a high carotenoid content may protect against colon cancer (CC). The evidence, however, is not completely consistent. Given the inconsistencies in findings in previous studies and continued interest in identifying modifiable risk factors for CC, a case-control study of French-Canadian in Montreal, Canada, was undertaken to examine the possible association between dietary carotenoids and CC risk and to investigate whether this association varies in relation to lifestyle factors such as smoking or diet, and particularly the high consumption of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). A total of 402 colorectal cases (200 males and 202 females) and 688 population-based controls matched for age, gender and place of residence were interviewed. Dietary intake was assessed through a validated food frequency questionnaire that collected information on over 200 food items and recipes. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in unconditional logistic regression models. After adjustment for important variables such as total energy intake, no association was found between dietary intake of carotenoids and CC risk. For women with high intakes of LCPUFA, an inverse association was found between lutein + zeaxanthin and CC risk. ORs were 0.41; 95%CI (0.19,0.91), p=0.03 for eicosapentaenoic acid, and OR=0.36, 95%CI (0.19,0.78), p=0.01 for docosahexaenoic acid, when the upper quartiles of intake were compared to the lower. Among never-smokers, a significantly reduced risk of CC was associated with intake of ,-carotene [OR=0.44, 95%CI (0.21,0.92) and p=0.02], whereas an inverse association was found between lycopene intake and CC risk [OR=0.63, 95%CI (0.40,0.98) and p=0.05] among smokers. The results of our study suggest that a diet rich in both lutein + zeaxanthin and LCPUFAs may help prevent CC in French-Canadian females. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Red-winged blackbirds Agelaius phoeniceus use carotenoid and melanin pigments to color their epauletsJOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2004Kevin J. McGraw Over the past three decades, the red-winged blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus has served as a model species for studies of sexual selection and the evolution of ornamental traits. Particular attention has been paid to the role of the colorful red-and-yellow epaulets that are striking in males but reduced in females and juveniles. It has been assumed that carotenoid pigments bestow the brilliant red and yellow colors on epaulet feathers, but this has never been tested biochemically. Here, we use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to describe the pigments present in these colorful feathers. Two red ketocarotenoids (astaxanthin and canthaxanthin) are responsible for the bright red hue of epaulets. Two yellow dietary precursors pigments (lutein and zeaxanthin) are also present in moderately high concentrations in red feathers. After extracting carotenoids, however, red feathers remained deep brown in color. HPLC tests show that melanin pigments (primarily eumelanin) are also found in the red-pigmented barbules of epaulet feathers, at an approximately equal concentration to carotenoids. This appears to be an uncommon feature of carotenoid-based ornamental plumage in birds, as was shown by comparable analyses of melanin in the yellow feathers of male American goldfinches Carduelis tristis and the red feathers of northern cardinals Cardinalis cardinalis, in which we detected virtually no melanins. Furthermore, the yellow bordering feathers of male epaulets are devoid of carotenoids (except when tinged with a carotenoid-derived pink coloration on occasion) and instead are comprised of a high concentration of primarily phaeomelanin pigments. The dual pigment composition of red epaulet feathers and the melanin-only basis for yellow coloration may have important implications for the honesty-reinforcing mechanisms underlying ornamental epaulets in red-winged blackbirds, and shed light on the difficulties researchers have had to date in characterizing the signaling function of this trait. As in several other birds, the melanic nature of feathers may explain why epaulets are used largely to settle aggressive contests rather than to attract mates. [source] Effects of LDL-immunoapheresis on plasma concentrations of vitamin E and carotenoids in patients with familial hypercholesterolemiaJOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 4 2004Edmund Cauza Abstract Recently very potent extracorporeal cholesterol-lowering treatment options have become available for patients with hypercholesterolemia. LDL immunoapheresis treatment selectively removes LDL and lipoprotein(a) from the circulation. Since LDL is the major carrier of lipophilic antioxidants in plasma, the purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of a single LDL apheresis treatment on plasma concentrations of tocopherols (,- and ,-tocopherol) and carotenoids (,- and ,-carotene, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, lycopene, and retinol). Plasma antioxidant concentrations were determined by HPLC in 7 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia before and after LDL immunoapheresis treatment. Plasma concentrations of both ,- and ,-tocopherol and the different carotenoids were significantly reduced by LDL apheresis. However, when standardized for cholesterol to adjust for cholesterol removal, ,- and ,-tocopherol, retinol, and the more polar carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin increased in response to apheresis treatment, while the more unpolar carotenoids such as ,-carotene and lycopene did not change. These data demonstrate that a single LDL immunoapheresis treatment affects tocopherols and individual carotenoids differently. This may be explained by differences in chemical structure and preferential association with different lipoproteins. These results further imply that tocopherols, lutein, zeaxanthin, and retinol, are associated in part with lipoproteins and other carriers such as retinol-binding protein that are not removed during apheresis treatment. J. Clin. Apheresis 19:174,179, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION AND DETERMINATION OF LUTEIN IN HETEROTROPHICALLY CULTIVATED CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSAJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2007ZHENGYUN WU ABSTRACT Chlorella is a promising alternative resource of lutein, as it can be cultivated heterotrophically and efficiently in a fermentor. In this study, high density of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was achieved by fed-batch cultivations. Lutein in Chlorella was extracted by supercritical fluid and was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The extraction degree of lutein reached 87.0% after 4-h extraction under the optimized conditions of 50C, 25 MPa and modified CO2 with 50% ethanol. High purity of lutein could be obtained by supercritical fluid extraction with appropriate operation parameters. The whole process developed in this study may be useful for the commercial production of lutein. [source] The Influence of Dietary Lutein and Zeaxanthin on Visual PerformanceJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010James M. Stringham ABSTRACT:, The idea that normal constituents of the diet can influence visual function is not new. As early as 1782, Buzzi identified the yellow of the macula and Schulze (1866) specifically postulated that the yellow pigments led to improvements in human vision. These pigments were later found to be derived from dietary lutein and zeaxanthin that are known to be oxygenated carotenoids (xanthophylls). Walls and Judd (1933) postulated that these yellow intraocular pigments could improve visual performance by absorbing light scattered both within (for example, glare) and outside of the eye (increasing visual range by absorbing blue light scattered in the atmosphere), and by improving spatial vision through enhancing contrast and reducing chromatic blur. In this article, evidence for these ideas is reviewed with particular emphasis towards more recent data on glare effects. [source] Effect of Maturity Stages and Drying Methods on the Retention of Selected Nutrients and Phytochemicals in Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) LeafJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009Min Zhang ABSTRACT:, The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrient and phytochemical composition of bitter melon leaves under varying maturity levels and drying techniques. Fresh, oven-dried, and freeze-dried leaves were evaluated over 3 maturity stages. In fresh leaves at various stages, crude fat, crude protein, and soluble dietary fiber contents ranged from 4.2% to 13.6%, 6.4% to 23.1%, and 0.04% to 3.50% on dry-weight basis, respectively. The contents of K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn ranged from 1850.8 to 2811.8, 837.4 to 4978.2, 317.3 to 512.4, 8.4 to 16.7, and 4.1 to 5.9 mg/100 g dry-weight basis, respectively. Vitamin C, ,-carotene, and lutein contents ranged from 397.4 to 1275.1, 154.2 to 422.8, and 737.6 to 1304.6 ,g/g dry-weight basis. The major flavonoids and phenolic acids were rutin, gentistic acid, and,o -coumaric acid, which ranged from 7.57 to 12.75, 2.53 to 10.11, and 4.24 to 9.75 mg/g dry-weight basis, respectively. In oven-dried samples, 40.2% to 52.3% of vitamin C, 35.4% to 55.4% of ,-carotene, 25.6% to 71.6% of lutein, 26.4% to 84.0% of rutin, trace to 11.4% of gentistic acid, and 7.4% to 46.6% of,o -coumaric acid were retained, while the retainment ratios of these components in freeze-dried samples were 84.7% to 99.0%, 76.4% to 99.3%, 90.4% to 96.1%, 39.8% to 99.3%, 24.1% to 68.4%, and 75.8% to 87.0%, respectively. The data showed that freeze-drying better preserves the nutrient and phytochemical quality of bitter melon leaves in comparison to oven-drying. Bitter melon leaf is a rich source of selected nutrients and phytochemicals. [source] Flowers and Leaves of Tropaeolum majus L. as Rich Sources of LuteinJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2005P.Y. Niizu ABSTRACT: As increasing evidence supports the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in reducing the risk of cataract and macular degeneration, food sources of these carotenoids are being sought. In the present study, the lutein content of the edible flowers and leaves of Tropaeolum majus L. was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDAD), complemented by HPLC-mass spectrometry (MS) for identification. Chemical reactions were also used as identifying parameters. The yellow and brownish orange flowers had 450 ± 60 ,g/g and 350 ± 50 ,g/g lutein, respectively. Violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, zeinoxanthin, ,-cryptoxanthin, ,-carotene, and ,-carotene were also detected at very low levels. The leaves had 136 ± 18 ,g/g lutein, 69 ± 7 ,g/g ,-carotene, 74 ± 23 ,g/g violaxanthin, and 48 ± 13 ,g/g neoxanthin. Lutein was partly esterified in the flowers and unesterified in the leaves. The flowers of T. majus are therefore excellent food sources of lutein and the leaves good sources of both lutein and the provitamin A ,-carotene. [source] Effects of Heat Pretreatment on Lipid and Pigments of Freeze-Dried SpinachJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2001E. Cho ABSTRACT: Heat pretreatment resulted in decreases in drying yield and glycolipids (GL) and an increase in neutral lipids (NL). Triacylglycerol and free sterols in NL and sterylglycosides and monogalactosyldiglycerides in GL were more stable during heat pretreatment. Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidic acid among phospholipid subclasses were more susceptible. There was no large difference in fatty-acid composition of spinach lipids by heat pretreatment. However, a significant decrease in linolenic acid and increases in oleic and hexadecenoic acids were observed in NL. Contents of chlorophyll, lutein, and ,-carotene in spinach decreased by heat pretreatment, with the least decrease in lutein. [source] Simultaneous HPLC-DAD-MS (ESI+) determination of structural and geometrical isomers of carotenoids in mature grapes,JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 9 2010Pasquale Crupi Abstract Carotenoids are uniquely functional polyene pigments ubiquitous in nature; aside from being responsible for the color of a wide variety of vegetables, interest is being focused on food carotenoids due to their likely health benefits. From analytical point of view, it is important to unequivocally identify individual carotenoid compounds in many food stuffs. Therefore, isolation of standards from natural sources must be encouraged for accurate identifications. Like many fruits, mature grape berries contain numerous carotenoid compounds, mostly found in the skin at levels two to three times higher than in the pulp. Carotenoid compounds in a typical wine grape variety (Negroamaro) grown in Apulian region were investigated by reversed-phase C30 (RP-30) HPLC-DAD-MS (ESI+) analysis. As a consequence of an unusual ionization process of carotenoids, their mass spectra registered in the positive ion mode comprised both protonated molecules and molecular ion radicals with little fragmentation. Additionally, selective collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments, together with fine structures of the UV,vis spectra, were used to differentiate structural and geometrical isomers. This technique allowed the simultaneous determination of regio- and cis -isomers of lutein (zeaxanthin, 9Z and 9,Z -lutein) and a cis -isomer of ,-carotene (9Z - ,-carotene), 5,6-epoxy xanthophylls (violaxanthin, (9,Z)-neoxanthin, lutein-5,6-epoxide) and 5,8-epoxy xanthophylls diasteroisomers (neochrome, auroxanthin, luteoxanthin, flavoxanthin, chrysanthemaxanthin). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Balance of xanthophylls molecular and protonated molecular ions in electrospray ionizationJOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 7 2005Thais Guaratini Abstract This paper reports the chemical evidence of the balance between radical molecular ions and protonatedmolecules of xanthophylls (an oxygen-containing carotenoid) with a conjugated ,-system (polyene) and oxygen as a heteroatom in ESI and HRESI mass spectrometry. The ionization energy of neutral xanthophylls was calculated by semi-empirical methods. The results were compared with those previously published for carotenoids and retinoids, which have also been shown in ESI-MS to form M+, and [M + H]+, respectively. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the correlation of an extended conjugation and the presence of oxygen in the formation and balance of M+, or [M + H]+ for the carotenoids, neoxanthin, lutein, violaxanthin and zeaxanthin. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Carotenoid lutein protects rats from paracetamol-, carbon tetrachloride- and ethanol-induced hepatic damageJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 8 2010Edakkadath R. Sindhu Abstract Objectives, Carotenoids are a class of natural fat-soluble pigments that are found in many fruits and vegetables. Consumption of a diet rich in carotenoids has been epidemiologically correlated with a lower risk for several diseases. In the present study the carotenoid lutein (3,3,-dihydroxy- ,,, -carotene) was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity in rats. Methods, Paracetamol, 20% ethanol and carbon tetrachloride were used to induce liver toxicity. Key findings, Levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatases, which were increased in the serum, were found to be significantly reduced by the treatment of lutein in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that lutein may reduce the hepatotoxicity induced by these agents. Serum bilirubin was also significantly lower in lutein-treated groups compared with control. Increased lipid peroxidation, conjugated diene and hydroperoxides in the liver tissue produced by the administration of paracetamol were found to be reduced in the lutein-treated groups. Levels of antioxidant enzymes, like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione, were found to be increased in lutein-treated groups compared with control group during alcohol- and CCl4 -induced liver toxicity. Hydroxyproline, which is an indicator of fibrosis in liver tissue, was high in the ethanol-treated control group. Hydroxyproline levels were decreased by simultaneous lutein administration. Conclusions, Histopathological evidence confirmed the protection offered by lutein from the tissue damage caused by hepatotoxins. The hepatoprotective action may be due to lutein's ability to scavenge reactive oxygen radicals. [source] PHOTOINHIBITION IN RED ALGAL SPECIES WITH DIFFERENT CAROTENOID PROFILES,JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Nadine Schubert Members of the Rhodophyta present different carotenoid profiles. In a majority of the species, lutein constitutes >50% of the total carotenoid content, while in other species, it is replaced by zeaxanthin or antheraxanthin. Given that carotenoids have specific roles in photoprotection, different carotenoid profiles of red algae species could be related to their capacity to cope with photoinhibitory stress. Therefore, in the present work, the sensitivity to light stress of red algal species with different carotenoid profiles was investigated. Photoinhibition of photosynthesis induced by high-light stress and the subsequent recovery in dim-light conditions was measured using maximal PSII quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm). The degree of decrease and recovery of Fv/Fm and their respective kinetics were related to the carotenoid profile of the species. Although no relationship between sensitivity to high-light stress and the carotenoid profile was observed, there were clear carotenoid profile-related differences in the decrease and recovery kinetics. In species with zeaxanthin or antheraxanthin as the major carotenoid, Fv/Fm reduction and recovery was principally associated with slowly activated and relaxed processes. In contrast, in species with lutein as the major carotenoid, rapidly activated processes appear to play a major role in the down-regulation of photosynthesis during light-stress conditions. In these species, the repair of D1 is also important during light-stress conditions. This finding could imply differential expression of mechanisms involved in photoprotection in red algae that seems to be related to the carotenoid profile of the species. [source] Effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on aspects of eye healthJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 1 2010Le Ma Abstract Lutein and zeaxanthin are members of the oxygenated carotenoids found particularly in egg yolks and dark-green leafy vegetables. A great deal of research has focused on their beneficial roles in eye health. The present article summarises the current literature related to the bioactivity of these carotenoids, emphasising their effects and possible mechanisms of action in relation to human eye health. Available evidence demonstrates that lutein and zeaxanthin are widely distributed in a number of body tissues and are uniquely concentrated in the retina and lens, indicating that each has a possible specific function in these two vital ocular tissues. Most of epidemiological studies and clinical trials support the notion that lutein and zeaxanthin have a potential role in the prevention and treatment of certain eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract and retinitis pigmentosa. The biological mechanisms for the protective effects of these carotenoids may include powerful blue-light filtering activities and antioxidant properties. Although most studies point towards significant health benefits from lutein and zeaxanthin, further large-scale randomised supplementation trials are needed to define their effects on ocular function in health and disease. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Possible nutritional and health-related value promotion in orange juice preserved by high-pressure treatment,JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 8 2002Begoña de Ancos Abstract Effects of high-pressure treatment on the orange juice carotenoids (,-carotene, ,-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein and ,-cryptoxanthin) associated with nutritional (vitamin A) and health-related (radical-scavenging capacity) values were investigated. Various high-pressure treatments (50,350 MPa) combined with different temperatures (30 and 60,°C) and times (2.5, 5 and 15,min) of treatment were assayed. The carotenoid content of the orange juice was analysed by HPLC-UV, the vitamin A value was determined as retinol equivalents (RE) and the free radical-scavenging capacity was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1,1-picrylhydrazyl) radical model system. A storage study was carried out at refrigeration temperature (4,°C). High-pressure treatments at 350,MPa produced significant increases of 20,43% in the carotenoid content of fresh orange juice (from 3.99 to 4.78,5.70,mg,l,1). A non-uniform behaviour of high-pressure treatments was detected. An increase in time (beyond 5,min) or temperature (above 30,°C) of treatment did not improve the amount of carotenoids extracted. Owing to better extraction of carotenoids, an increase in vitamin A value from 164 to 238,RE,l,1 (45%) was achieved with the 350,MPa/30,°C/5,min treatment. No correlation was found between the increase in carotenoid amount extracted and the free radical-scavenging activity. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Carotenoids in pungent and non-pungent peppers at various developmental stages grown in the field and glasshouse,JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2002M Russo Abstract Carotenoids in edible portions of plants can provide health benefits to humans. How growing conditions affect levels of carotenoids in pepper fruits as they mature is not well known. Five cvs of bell pepper (Bell Captain, Melody, North Star, Ranger, Red Beauty) and five cvs of pungent-type peppers (Anaheim, Ancho, Cayenne, Pimento, Red Cherry) were grown in a glasshouse and in the field. Fruits were harvested at the green, turning (50% green) and mature red stages and analysed for levels of the carotenoids ,-cryptoxanthin, ,-carotene, ,-carotene, capsanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin and totals of these carotenoids. Levels of provitamin A: retinol equivalents (RE) were derived from levels of ,-cryptoxanthin, ,-carotene and ,-carotene. Levels of most carotenoids and RE were significantly higher in glasshouse-grown plants, and most were higher in fruits at the red stage. Fruits of Ancho type had the most ,-cryptoxanthin, ,-carotene, ,-carotene, total carotenoids and RE, while fruits of Red Cherry type had the most capsanthin and zeaxanthin, and fruits of Bell Captain had the most lutein. Interactions of the main effects variables, ie location of production (field vs glasshouse), stage of development and cultivar, indicated differences in patterns of carotenoid levels and RE. The data indicated that growing conditions influenced carotenoid levels. The more consistent and protected conditions in the glasshouse may have caused carotenoid levels to be increased, especially at the red stage. Published in 2002 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source] Lutein in patients with cataracts and age-related macular degeneration: a long-term supplementation studyJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2001B Olmedilla Abstract Lutein, a non-provitamin A xanthophyll, is widely distributed in fruits and vegetables frequently consumed. In human serum, lutein is transported by lipoproteins and selectively accumulated in certain tissues (eg the retina). Epidemiological studies suggest that high intake and serum levels of lutein are associated with a lower risk of cataracts and age-related maculopathy. Subjects diagnosed with cataracts (CA; n,,=,5) or age-related macular degeneration (ARMD; n,,=,5) agreed to take three lutein capsules per week. Each capsule potentially provided about 12,mg of all- trans -lutein, 3,mg of 13/15- cis -lutein and 3.3,mg of ,-tocopherol, as revealed by HPLC. Zeaxanthin was not detected. Average supplementation time was 13 months (range 4,20 months) for ARMD subjects and 26 months (range 16,36 months) for CA subjects. Blood samples for carotenoid analysis were collected every 3 months, coinciding with ophthalmological revision. In serum, concentrations of lutein, 13- cis -lutein and two ketocarotenoids increased significantly. Maximum increments were observed at 3,6 months, reaching levels above the 95th percentile of the reference population (>0.44,µmol,l,1). Ophthalmological evaluation showed an average increment in visual acuity of 0.4, and glare sensitivity also improved. No significant side effects such as hypercarotenemia, carotenodermia or changes in biochemical or haematological profile were observed. Thus, lutein supplementation at achievable dietary levels increased and maintained serum lutein levels, which were associated with an improvement in the visual function of the patients. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Kinetic modeling of lutein production by heterotrophic Chlorella at various pH and temperaturesMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 8 2006Xianming Shi Abstract Kinetics of lutein production by heterotrophic Chlorella protothecoides was investigated with respect to pH and temperature. Flask cultures with initial pH 5.0,8.0 were carried out, and it was found that pH 6.0 was optimal for the algal growth. Further tests in fermentors showed that the highest biomass concentration, maximum cellular lutein content and lutein yield were achieved at pH 6. 6. In addition, it was shown that optimal biomass concentration and lutein yield were obtained at 28°C, while application of 35°C resulted in the highest cellular lutein content. A mathematical model was developed for the description of the processes under these cultivation conditions and the kinetic model fitted well to the experimental data. The obtained results may contribute to the commercial production of lutein by C. protothecoides. [source] Obesity, Lutein Metabolism, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Web of ConnectionsNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 1 2005Elizabeth J. Johnson PhD Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of visual impairment in the United States. Currently there is no effective cure for this disease. Risk factors include decreased lutein and zeaxanthin status and obesity. Obesity is also an increasing public health concern. The alarming increase in the prevalence of obesity further exacerbates the public health concern of AMD. The mechanism by which obesity increases the risk of AMD may be related to the physiologic changes that occur with this condition. These include increased oxidative stress, changes in the lipoprotein profile, and increased inflammation. These changes would also result in an increased destruction and a decreased circulatory delivery of lutein and zeaxanthin to the macula of the eye. Therefore, the mechanism by which obesity is related to AMD risk may be through indirect effects on changes in lutein and zeaxanthin status and metabolism. [source] | ||||||||||||||||