Compositional changes in chlorophylls and carotenoids during the four flushes of tea in North East India

The quantitative changes of two pigments, chlorophylls a and b, and four major carotenoids, β-carotene, lutein, violaxanthine and neoxanthine, were investigated during four flushes of North East Indian plain teas from a deep skiffed area between April and October 1982. The tea flushes with different genetic properties were taken fromn from various Tocklai-released clones: TV-1 (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze), TV-2 (C. assamica (Masters) Wight), TV-9 (C. assamica ‘Cambod’) and TV-17 (C. sinensis, hybrid). They showed marked changes in these pigment constituents throughout the plucking period, which affected the organoleptic property of the black tea produced.     

MAJOR CAROTENOIDS IN JUICES OF PONKAN MANDARIN AND LIUCHENG ORANGE

The identification and quantitation of major carotenoids in juices of Ponkan mandarin and Liucheng orange and their changes during harvesting were studied. Neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene are the major carotenoids for Ponkan mandarin. During the harvesting period, the contents of violaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene increase significantly. For Liucheng orange, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, antheraxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene are the major carotenoids. Among them, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, antheraxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin increase significantly during the harvesting period. The β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene are the major contributors to the color of Ponkan mandarin juice while neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein and antheraxanthin are the major ones for the color of Liucheng orange juice.     

工夫红茶加工过程中类胡萝卜素成分的动态变化

采用液相色谱-串联质谱法测定工夫红茶加工在制品类胡萝卜素种类及含量,并对比分析所测类胡萝卜素组分随工夫红茶加工进程的动态变化.结果表明,工夫红茶加工在制品共检出类胡萝卜素组分24种,其中胡萝卜素类3种、叶黄素类10种、类胡萝卜素酯类11种;不同种类的类胡萝卜素在茶叶中的含量差异较大,其中以叶黄素(126.000 0±3...     

Carotenoids in cassava: Comparison of open-column and HPLC methods of analysis

Cassava leaves and tubers from six cultivars were analysed for carotenoids by both open-column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The major carotenoids of leaves were the non-vitamin A carotenoid lutein (86-290 mg kg^?1 fresh weight (FW)) and the pro-vitamin A carotenoid β-carotene (13-78 mg kg^?1 FW). Immature leaves contained less than mature leaves. Tubers contained 0.1-3 mg kg^?1 FW of β-carotene and 0.05-0.6 mg kg^?1 FW of lutein. Carotenoids present in small amounts included α-, γ-, and §-carotenes and β-cryptoxanthin and others were separated and partially identified. Yellow tubers contain much more β-carotene than white tubers and cassava is a good source of pro-vitamin A carotenoids compared with other root crops. Both methods gave similar results for β-carotene and lutein, but the open-column method did not allow separation and quantitation of carotenoids present in small amounts. HPLC separated many carotenoids, but most peaks could not be identified for lack of reference compounds. A great advantage of open-column chromatography for developing countries is its use of simple equipment and readily available reagents and solvents compared with HPLC, which requires complex equipment needing careful maintenance and expensive solvents. The open-column method is more labour intensive but this is not a constraint in developing countries.     

Instability of carotenoids is a reason for their promotion on lipid oxidation

The effects of carotenoids, represented by β-carotene and lutein, on lipid oxidation in the bulk of purified triacylglyceride (TAG) were investigated. At a low concentration, β-carotene could suppress the oxidation of corn-TAG, but the higher the concentration of β-carotene added, the faster the rate of lipid oxidation; whereas lutein tended to accelerate the oxidation of corn-TAG, even though at a low concentration. Both β-carotene and lutein were degraded quickly in the corn-TAG sample, when the initial amount of the carotenoids added was high. But when paraffin was used to replace the corn-TAG, degradation rate of β-carotene and lutein did not differ from its initial concentration. Since paraffin was stable against heat, the different degradation rate of carotenoids in corn-TAG suggested that carotenoids involved in the TAG oxidation. Thus, it can be concluded that the instability of carotenoid is a reason for their promotion on lipid oxidation. However, this promotion could be blocked by tocopherols.     

Determination of antioxidant activity and antioxidant content in tomato varieties and evaluation of mutual interactions between antioxidants

Major antioxidants and antioxidant activity in eight varieties of tomatoes were determined. Hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity (HAA and LAA) was determined by the ABTS assay and ascorbic acid and carotenoid contents were determined by HPLC-DAD. The HAA has far more significant impact on total antioxidant activity (83%) as compared with LAA. HAA was increasing during all ripening stages and was strongly correlated with ascorbic acid content (r = 0.83). During the ripening the LAA was increasing till the III. stage of maturity and then decreased. The main carotenoids determined in the red-fruit tomatoes were lycopene, β-carotene and lutein. The content of lycopene has been increasing equally during the ripening. β-Carotene and lutein were intensively synthesized between the I. and II. stage of maturity. Among ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, lycopene, β-carotene and lutein standards ascorbic acid was determined as the most efficient antioxidant followed by α-tocopherol and β-carotene. Antioxidant activity of ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, β-carotene and lutein grew equally with increasing concentration, however lycopene was the most effective in its lowest concentration. The analysis of two-component mixtures showed significant synergism between lycopene-lutein, lycopene-β-carotene and α-tocopherol-β-carotene.     

Study of major aromatic compounds in port wines from carotenoid degradation

The carotenoids degradation and the formation of volatiles were examined by simulating Port wine aging. A two year old red Port wine was saturated with oxygen, supplemented with lutein and β-carotene and kept at 60 °C during 87 h. A similar study was performed in a model wine solution. Results showed that the percentage decrease in lutein levels was, respectively, 79% and 95%, in the wine model solution and in the Port wine, and 55% and 10% for β-carotene, indicating that lutein was more sensitive to degradation than β-carotene. Two other unknown degradation carotenoid compounds were identified by HPLC/DAD (reverse phase λ_max: 422; 445; 475 and 422; 445; 472) in the lutein supplemented wine. Levels of β-ionone and β-cyclocitral increased (2.5 times) in both, wine and wine model solution, supplemented with β-carotene. Along with these compounds, the same behaviour was observed in β-damascenone in the supplemented lutein wine and wine model solution. New insights were provided into the understanding of aroma modifications occurring during Port wine aging. The relationship between carotenoid molecules (β-carotene and lutein) and some volatiles has also been provided.     

Determination of Carotenoids in Fruits of Rosa sp. (Rosa Canina and Rosa Rugosa) and of Chokeberry (Aronia Melanocarpa)

Carotenoid composition of fruits of two Rosa species (Rosa canina and Rosa rugosa) and of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) was studied by high performance liquid chromatography. Nine carotenoids were determined: three carotenes (lycopene, ζ-carotene, β-carotene) and six xanthophylls (neoxanthin, trans-violaxanthin, cis-violaxan-thin, 5,6-epoxylutein, lutein, β-cryptoxanthin). This high number of compounds classified these fruits among those with the greatest variety of carotenoid pigments. Quantitatively large differences occurred in the carotenoid composition of the three fruits. Rosa hips contained the highest concentrations of total carotenoids, which were mainly comprised of lycopene and βcarotene. Conversely, total xanthophylls were low. In contrast to Rosa, fruits of Aronia were lower in total carotenoids while xanthophylls composed a higher proportion.     

The content of polyphenols and carotenoids in three apricot cultivars depending on stage of maturity and geographical region

During the ripening of three apricot cultivars (“Keckemetska ruza”, “Madjarska najbolja” and “Velika rana”) grown in two different geographical region of Croatia the changes of polyphenols and carotenoids were determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV–Vis photo diode array detection. The content of individual polyphenols during ripening was quite similar, whereas their amount differed significantly. Immature fruits showed the highest level of polyphenols, which decreased at semi-mature fruits and did not change remarkably in commercial mature fruits. Among polyphenols, flavan-3-ols, chlorogenic acid and quercetin-3-rutinoside were dominant in all ripening stages of all apricot cultivars. The quantity of polyphenols during apricot fruits ripening depended on cultivars, while the region of cultivation did not have remarkable influence on polyphenols amount. During ripening carotenoids increased significantly especially β-carotene which represented 70–85% of the total carotenoid content. Besides β-carotene, in all apricot cultivars γ-carotene was found. α-Carotene, zeaxantin and lutein were found in cv. “Madjarska najbolja” and in cv. “Velika rana” α-carotene and lutein were determined. The region of cultivation and the cultivar were important factors, which influenced the carotenoid amount of apricot fruits, and this content was higher in cultivars grown in Mediterranean region.     

Carotenoid composition,distribution and degradation to flavour volatiles during black tea manufacture and the effect of carotenoid supplementation on tea quality and aroma

Carotenoid content of tea leaves ranges from 36 to 73 mg/100 g dry weight, and is dominated mainly by β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Among the cultivars, China contained the maximum and Assam clone the least. Carotenoid fractions were found to degrade to different extents at different stages of tea processing. The carotenoid content was as low as 25 mg/100 g in the made tea. Only a small quantity was leached into the brew, the remaining being retained in the infused leaf/tea residue. The high stability of carotenoid in tea is mainly due to the presence of antioxidants, such as polyphenols and catechins. Carotenoid degradation was found to be greater in the CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) process than the orthodox process, greater in withered than unwithered, and in the order β-carotene > zeaxanthin > lutin. Vitamin A value was greater in orthodox tea than CTC tea and it varied with clones. The carotenoid degradation was found to yield large quantities of desirable aroma volatiles in made tea, giving a high grown flavour status. An increase in endogenous carotene content enhanced all the quality parameters of tea, the VFC (volatile flavour compounds) index, almost being doubled. The tasters' evaluation also revealed the same trend. It was found that a 1:1 NK application at the rate of 300 kg/ha/year enhanced the carotenoid content of green leaves in the second week after application, with subsequent decline.     

Major carotenoid composition of Brazilian Valencia orange juice: Identification and quantification by HPLC

The carotenoid composition of Brazilian Valencia orange juice was determined by open column chromatography (OCC) and high-performance liquid chromatography. Carotenoid pigments were extracted using acetone and saponified using 10% methanolic potassium hydroxide. Sixteen pigments were isolated by OCC and identified as α-carotene, ζ-carotene, β-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein-5,6-epoxide, violaxanthin, lutein, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, luteoxanthin A, luteoxanthin B, mutatoxanthin A, mutatoxanthin B, auroxanthin B and trollichrome B. Thirteen carotenoid pigments were separated using a ternary gradient (acetonitrile–methanol–ethyl acetate) elution on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column. Among these, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, ζ-carotene, α-carotene, and β-carotene were quantified. The total carotenoid content was 12 ± 6.7 mg/l, and the major carotenoids were lutein (23%), β-cryptoxanthin (21%), and zeaxanthin (20%).     

北极海洋红球菌B7740（Rhodococcus sp.）产类胡萝卜素和类异戊二烯醌的抗氧化、抗增殖活性

本实验旨在研究来自北极海洋红球菌B7740类胡萝卜素和类异戊二烯醌提取物（B7CIQE）的体外抗氧 化活性（通过β-胡萝卜素漂白测定、脂质和蛋白质氧化抑制实验、DNA氧化断裂抑制实验）、抗增殖活性（通过 抗人肝癌细胞HepG2和人口腔癌细胞KB增殖实验）和细胞内抗氧化效果。实验中使用日常饮食常见高等植物来 源类胡萝卜素（β-胡萝卜素、叶黄素、番茄红素）作为对照组,评价B7CIQE的生物活性：β-胡萝卜素氧化抑制 率为B7CIQE（70.20%）＞2,6-二叔丁基-4-甲基苯酚（66.70%）＞表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（17.80%）＞番茄 红素（1.90%）;油脂开始氧化的温度顺序为B7CIQE（175 ℃）＞β-胡萝卜素（165 ℃）＞叶黄素（162 ℃）＞ 番茄红素（160 ℃）;蛋白质氧化抑制率为B7CIQE（25.75%）＞β-胡萝卜素（24.97%）＞叶黄素（17.94%）＞ 番茄红素（10.40%）;HepG2细胞抗增殖实验半最大效应浓度为叶黄素（20.86 μg/mL）＜β-胡萝卜素 （124.88 μg/mL）＜B7CIQE（126.34 μg/mL）＜番茄红素（139.24 μg/mL）;KB细胞抗增殖实验半最大效应浓度为 B7CIQE（25.14 μg/mL）＜叶黄素（64.29 μg/mL）＜番茄红素（69.87 μg/mL）＜β-胡萝卜素（149.16 μg/mL）。结 果表明,与植物源类胡萝卜素相比,B7CIQE具有相对更优异的抗氧化和抗增殖活性。     

水合有机溶液体系中类胡萝卜素聚集体的探究

类胡萝卜素具有多种对人体有益的生理活性,在一定条件下分子可自聚集形成不同类型的聚集体。本文主要以水合有机溶液的比例和加样顺序为关键因素,探究其对三种代表性类胡萝卜素（虾青素、叶黄素、β-胡萝卜素）聚集体的类型（H聚集体、M单体、J聚集体）、形成条件和稳定性的影响。分别将虾青素丙酮溶液、叶黄素乙醇溶液、β-胡萝卜素丙酮溶液以水入有机和有机入水两种不同滴加顺序,按照有机溶剂占总体积比以10%～90%的比例混合,观察类胡萝卜素小分子及其聚集体的状态并进行紫外可见吸收光谱分析。结果表明,在有机入水的加样顺序下,虾青素、叶黄素、β-胡萝卜素溶液体系下形成H聚集体的有机溶剂占总体积比分别为10%～20%、10%～50%和10%～40%,此外,虾青素在30%形成J聚集体,β-胡萝卜素在50%～70%形成J聚集体,叶黄素在60%～90%时为叶黄素单体。在水入有机的加样顺序下,形成聚集体的条件与有机入水相似。但是通过对比发现,在有机入水的加样顺序下,紫外可见光谱上吸收峰移动的现象更明显。探究聚集体稳定性发现,样品在室温（25℃）条件下放置24 h和48 h后,叶黄素的H聚集体类型不变,虾青素、β-胡萝卜...     

Carotenoid composition and vitamin A value of the brasilian fruit Cyphomandra betacea

The carotenoid pigments of the fruit of the Tree Tomato Cyphomandra betacea were identified and quantified. β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, ζ-carotene, 5,6-monoepoxy-β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin were detected in both the pulp and the peel. The quantitative patterns of the pulp and the peel were similar, with cryptoxanthin and β-carotene predominating. The high average vitamin A value (2475 IU/100 g edible portion) is due to the principal carotenoids that have provitamin A activity.     

Carotenoids and Norisoprenoids as Carotenoid Degradation Products in Pandan Leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.)

Leaves from Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb., known as pandan leaves, are used as natural colorants, natural flavor, and herbal medicine in Indonesia. These leaves are sources of natural colorants, which are mostly of carotenoid origin. In addition, carotenoids can act as precursors of several aroma impact compounds such as norisoprenoids. The research objective of this study was to determine carotenoids by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography photo diode array and to determine norisoprenoids by Head Space Solid Phase Micro Extraction Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometry (HS-SPME GC-MS) with the aim to promote pandan leaves as potential natural flavor and natural colorants. β-carotene and lutein were found as major carotenoids in pandan leaves. Three different norisoprenoids (α-ionone, β-ionone, and β-cyclocitral) were identified in pandan leaves along with their carotenoid precursors (α-carotene and β-carotene).     

Behavior of flavonols and carotenoids of minimally processed kale leaves during storage in passive modified atmosphere packaging

Minimally processed kale leaves were packed in passive modified atmosphere and stored at 3 conditions: 1 °C in the dark and 11 °C with or without light exposure. The products were evaluated during storage in terms of headspace gas composition, sensory attributes, flavonol, and carotenoid contents. The sensory quality decreased slightly during 17 d at 1 °C in the dark. At 11 °C, the vegetable shelf life was predicted to be 6 d in the dark and 3 d with light. Quercetin and kaempferol were stable during storage for 15 d at 1 °C in the absence of light. At 11 °C in the dark, quercetin was stable during 10 d, increasing slightly on the 8th day. Kaempferol decreased up to the 5th day but increased on the 8th day, decreasing again on the 10th day. After 5 d at 11 °C under light, the flavonol levels were significantly higher than those of the initial values. Neoxanthin and violaxanthin did not change significantly after 15 d at 1 °C in the dark. Lutein and β-carotene, however, decreased 7.1% and 11.3%, respectively. At 11 °C in the dark, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene decreased 16.1%, 13.2%, 24.1%, and 23.7% after 10 d, respectively. At 11 °C under light, neoxanthin and lutein had a slight increase while violaxanthin and β-carotene decreased 23.1% and 16.5% after 5 d. Practical Application: Passive modified atmosphere packaging together with refrigeration can extend the shelf life of minimally processed kale, retaining the health-promoting compounds, flavonols and carotenoids. Quercetin, kaempferol, neoxanthin, and violaxanthin are stable and lutein and β-carotene slightly reduced.     

A model for predicting black tea quality from the carotenoid and chlorophyll composition of fresh green tea leaf

The plant pigment (carotenoid and chlorophyll) composition of fresh green leaf of tea for a selection of clones was studied in relation to the quality of black tea produced from processing the same green leaf. The plant pigment composition of the green leaf for nine Kenyan clones was monitored by HPLC at 450 nm. Using discriminant analysis it was shown that clones could be distinguished from one another on the basis of their green leaf plant pigment composition. Using step-wise multiple regression analysis, a linear relationship was established between the levels of six green leaf plant pigments peak 5 (neochrome), peak 17 and 18 (isomers of lutein and/or lutein epoxide), peak 23 (chlorophyll b type compound), peak 26 (aurochrome) and peak 28 (β-carotene)) and the quality of the manufactured black tea for the selected clones as assessed by tea tasters' evaluations. The model had an adjusted R-square value of 0.912 and was significant at P≤ 0.05. The value of the relationship as a means of predicting black tea quality is discussed.     

电子顺磁共振波谱法测定三种类胡萝卜素抗氧化活性

运用电子顺磁共振波谱(EPR),通过三种类胡萝卜素(番茄红素、叶黄素、β-胡萝卜素)对1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼自由基(DPPH·)和羟基自由基(·OH)清除能力大小的比较,测定了三种类胡萝卜素抗氧化活性能力。结果表明,DPPH和Fe2+(固定Fe2+:H₂O₂=1:10)浓度均与EPR信号呈良好的线性关系,相关系数R2均大于0.99。三种类胡萝卜素对DPPH·和·OH均有一定清除作用,且随浓度的增大和时间的延长清除作用逐渐增强。其中,番茄红素的抗氧化活性能力最强,叶黄素次之,β-胡萝卜素最弱,浓度为0.6 mmol/L的番茄红素、叶黄素和β-胡萝卜素对DPPH·的清除率分别为95.4%、76.7%和47.7%,对·OH的清除率分别为56.6%、29.1%和14.0%。相较于紫外-可见分光光度(UV-Vis)法,该方法可以有效避免类胡萝卜素自身颜色对测试结果的干扰,研究结果可为完善类胡萝卜素等天然食品添加剂的抗氧化能力评价方法提供依据。     

Analysis of Anabaena vaginicola and Nostoc calcicola from Northern Iran,as rich sources of major carotenoids

Four major carotenoids of high nutritional significance, including β-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin were determined in three isolates of heterocystous cyanobacteria, belonging to the genera Anabaena and Nostoc, isolated from Iranian terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, for the first time. The ultrasonically extracted carotenoids were identified and quantified by a rapid and sensitive isocratic HPLC method and identification was further confirmed by spiking authentic standards and the pattern of the UV–Vis spectra obtained from photo-diode array detector. The results showed that these isolates contain large amounts of four major carotenoids, especially lycopene (up to 24570 μg/g dry weight, DW) which appears to be the highest reported amount until present; and β-carotene (up to 8133 μg/g DW) which is comparable with the best natural sources of β-carotene. Meanwhile, they are rich in the cis-isomers of lycopene and β-carotene which is important in their bioavailability and health benefits.     

Influence of chromoplast morphology on carotenoid bioaccessibility of carrot,mango, papaya,and tomato

Based on the observation of outstanding dissimilarities of the morphology of pigment-containing chromoplasts in nutritionally important carotenoid sources, the bioaccessibility (BA) of carotenoids from edible portions of carrot, mango, papaya, and tomato was compared using an in vitro digestion model. While carrot and tomato contained large carotenoid crystals clearly visible by light microscopy, mango and papaya contained different types of carotenoid-bearing structures. Particularly, β-carotene is deposited in globular and tubular elements in papaya and mango chromoplasts, where carotenoids accumulate in a lipid-dissolved and liquid-crystalline form, respectively. The highest BA of β-carotene was found for mango (10.1%), followed by papaya (5.3%), tomato (3.1%), and carrot (0.5%). In our digestion model, differences between total lycopene BA from papaya and tomato were insignificant, possibly since both pigments occur in a solid crystalline deposition form in both fruits. Furthermore, the BA of lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin esters was shown to be superior to that of the carotenes from the respective food sources. The effect of lipid addition to the different food sources was studied. Although BA was enhanced for most carotenoids, the above-mentioned ranking of BAs of β-carotene remained unchanged after lipid addition. Consequently, the physical form of carotenoid deposition in plant chromoplasts is suggested to have major impact on their liberation efficiency from the food matrices.