Selection of suitable model for different matrices of raw materials used in supercritical fluid extraction process

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process is the sustainable green process for the extraction. Mathematical modeling of SFE process is carried out using mass transfer resistances, which vary with the types of solute. In this paper, the effect of matrices such as leaves, flower concrete, flower bud, herb plant, shrub seed and vegetable matter is studied on extraction yield through different models. These models are solved using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.2 solver and results are validated with that of literature. Experimental data of each type of solute matrix are fitted in various models and best suited model is predicted.     

Free and esterified sterols of cotton buds and anthers

Capillary gas liquid chromatography analyses were conducted on free and esterified sterol fractions of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum cv. Stoneville 213) floral buds and anthers. The free sterols of both cotton buds and anthers consist mainly of the common plant sterols sitosterol, stigmasterol and 24ζ-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol. The composition of esterified sterols of cotton buds and anthers were similar, and consisted of pollinastanol, 31-norcycloartanol, cycloartenol, 31-norcycloartenol, 24-dehydropolinastanol and sitosterol. Desmosterol was also present in both the free and esterified sterols of anthers. The identities of the sterols were confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Esterified sterols accounted for 46.7 and 88.7% of total sterols of cotton bud and anthers, respectively. The ratio of esterified sterol to free sterol per gram of tissue is about 8∶1 in anthers. The Δ⁵-sterols of the esterified sterols of cotton buds and anthers account for only 17 and 9.2% of the total sterols, respectively.     

Untersuchungen über Kürbiskernöl

Studies on Pumpkin Seed Oil Pumpkin seed oil contains ca. 52% linoleic, 29% oleic and traces of linolenic acid. The content of tocopherols (33.8 mg β + γ-tocopherol per 100 g oil) is relatively low; α- and δ-tocopherols are not found. The total carotenoid content is 15 ppm, out of which 71% are lutein and 12% are β-carotene. In addition, smaller proportions of α-carotene, cryptoxanthin and flavoxanthins are found. The characteristic dark colour of the oil is due, in addition to carotenoids, to chlorophyll and pheophytins, which are formed from the corresponding chlorophylls. The total content of chlorophyll pigments, 13 ppm, is mainly composed of chlorophyll b and pheophytin a. Laboratory-refined oil has a higher oxidative stability, as measured by SWIFT-Test, than to be expected from the fatty acid composition.     

Carotenoid composition and vitamin A value of a squash and a pumpkin from northeastern Brazil

The carotenoid composition of a squash and a pumpkin from Northeastern Brazil was determined. Nineteen carotenoids were detected in Cucurbita moschata variety "Baianinha"; beta-carotene was the principal carotenoid, contributing about 74% of an average total carotenoid content of 317.8 micrograms/g. In C. maxima variety "Jerimum Caboclo", 11 carotenoids were found with lutein, and beta-carotene as the major pigments accounting for about 60% and 27%, respectively, of an average total carotenoid content of 78.4 micrograms/g. The abundance of beta-carotene in the C. moschata variety "Baianinha" makes this squash one of the richest sources of provitamin A. The average vitamin A value was 43,175 IU (International Units) per 100 g or 4,317 RE (retinol equivalents) per 100 g. Its vitamin A values is more than 11 times that of C. maxima variety "Jerimum Caboclo" and five times that of C. moschata cultivar "Menina Verde", the squash found previously to be highest in provitamin A among the Cucurbita vegetables most commercialized in S?o Paulo (Southeastern Brazil).     

Carotenoid composition and antioxidant activity of the raw and boiled fruit mesocarp of six varieties of Bactris gasipaes

Total carotenoid content and composition of carotenoids of six varieties of Bactris gasipaes were determined by spectrophotometry and HPLC, with photodiode array detector. Significant differences in total carotenoid content (1.1 to 22.3 mg/100g) were detected among these varieties. Boiling the fruits for 30 minutes did not affect total carotenoid content, but did change the amount of some specific carotenoids, mainly by the production of Z-isomers. Peach palm varieties had the same carotenoids, but in different proportions, presenting mainly, all E-beta-carotene (26.2% to 47.9%), Z-gamma-carotene (18.2% to 34.3%) and Z-lycopene (10.2% to 26.8%). When antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, it was observed that the variety with higher percentages of beta-carotene (54.1%) presented the higher activity. This is one of the first reports in carotenoid content and antioxidant activity in well typified varieties of Bactris gasipaes, whose results could have a positive impact in the consumption of certain peach palm varieties.     

Contents of Carotenoids, Tocopherols and Sterols in Acacia cyanophylla Seed Oils

Seeds from 12 Acacia cyanophylla ecotypes, harvested in Tunisia, were examined for their seed oil contents of carotenoids, tocopherols and phytosterols. The average carotenoid content (lutein and zeaxanthin) was ca. 102 mg kg^?1 of total extracted lipids. Lutein (ca. 97 mg kg^?1 of total extracted lipids) was usually more abundant than zeaxanthin (ca. 5 mg kg^?1 of total extracted lipids). The mean total tocopherol content was ca. 704 mg kg^?1 of total extracted lipids. The main isomer was α‐tocopherol, with more than 75 % of total tocopherols (ca. 528 mg kg^?1 of total extracted lipids), followed by γ‐tocopherol (ca. 168 mg kg^?1 of total extracted lipids) and δ‐tocopherol (ca. 86 mg kg^?1 of total lipids). High levels of phytosterols (ca. 7.8 g kg^?1 of total extracted lipids) were detected, among which β‐sitosterol was the most abundant (47 %). All these results highlight the richness of carotenoids, tocopherols and sterols in A. cyanophylla seed oil, and imply that this species might constitute a potential resource for the development of functional foods.     

Characterization of cold-pressed onion, parsley, cardamom, mullein, roasted pumpkin, and milk thistle seed oils

Cold-pressed onion, parsley, cardamom, mullein, roasted pumpkin, and milk thistle seed oils were characterized for their fatty acid (FA) composition, tocopherol content, carotenoid profile, total phenolic content (TPC), oxidative stability index (OSI), color, physical properties, and radical-scavenging capacities against peroxyl (oxygen radical-scavenging capacity) and stable DPPH (diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) radicals. Parsley seed oil had the highest oleic acid content, 81 g/100 g total FA, and the lowest saturated fat among the tested oils. Roasted pumpkin seed oil contained the highest level of total carotenoids, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, cryptoxanthin, and lutein at 71 μmol/kg and 28.5, 6.0, 4.9, and 0.3 mg/kg oil, respectively. Onion seed oil exhibited the highest levels of α- and total tocopherols under the experimental conditions. One of the parsley seed oils exhibited the strongest DPPH scavenging capacity and the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value of 1098 μmol Trolox equiv/g oil. However, ORAC values of the tested seed oils were not necessarily correlated to their DPPH scavenging capacities under the experimental conditions. The highest TPC of 3.4 mg gallic acid equiv/g oil was detected in one of the onion seed oils. The OSI values were 13.3, 16.9–31.4, 47.8, and 61.7 h for the milk thistle, onion, mullein, and roasted pumpkin seed oils, respectively. These data suggest that these seed oils may serve as dietary sources of special FA, tocopherols, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and natural antioxidants. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Effect of Dietary Condition on Milk Production and Composition of Surti Buffaloes During One Lactation

An experiment was conducted on 12 Surti buffaloes. These animals were further divided into four groups each having three animals. The four feeding treatments were a) concentrate mixture with green grass, b) concentrate mixture without green grass, c) cotton seed with green grass and d) cotton seed without green grass. During experimental period, milk yield of each group was found to decrease and fat content was found to increase. The animals receiving green grass supplementation along with the major feed produced more milk and FCM content. Different dietary condition did not show any significant difference on protein, casein and nitrogen contents of milk of Surti buffaloes.     

Genome-Wide Identification of Petunia HSF Genes and Potential Function of PhHSF19 in Benzenoid/Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis

Volatile benzenoids/phenylpropanoids are the main flower scent compounds in petunia (Petunia hybrida). Heat shock factors (HSFs), well known as the main regulator of heat stress response, have been found to be involved in the biosynthesis of benzenoid/phenylpropanoid and other secondary metabolites. In order to figure out the potential function of HSFs in the regulation of floral scent in petunia, we systematically identified the genome-wide petunia HSF genes and analyzed their expression and then the interaction between the key petunia HSF gene with target gene involved in benzenoid/phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The results revealed that 34 HSF gene family members were obtained in petunia, and most petunia HSFs contained one intron. The phylogenetic analysis showed that 23 petunia HSFs were grouped into the largest subfamily HSFA, while only two petunia HSFs were in HSFC subfamily. The DBD domain and NLS motif were well conserved in most petunia HSFs. Most petunia HSF genes’ promoters contained STRE motifs, the highest number of cis-acting element. PhHSF19 is highly expressed in petal tubes, followed by peduncles and petal limbs. During flower development, the expression level of PhHSF19 was dramatically higher at earlier flower opening stages than that at the bud stage, suggesting that PhHSF19 may have potential roles in regulating benzenoid/phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The expression pattern of PhHSF19 is positively related with PhPAL2, which catalyzes the first committed step in the phenylpropanoid pathway. In addition, there are three STRE elements in the promoter of PhPAL2. PhHSF19 was proven to positively regulate the expression of PhPAL2 according to the yeast one hybrid and dual luciferase assays. These results lay a theoretical foundation for further studies of the regulation of HSFs on plant flower scent biosynthesis.     

Use of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment composition to determine authenticity of virgin olive oil

The chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment profile of 50 mono-variety virgin olive oils was used to develop an index of authenticity for the product. The presence of carotenoids other than those described, or chlorophyll derivatives at another level of degradation, were found to be determing elements of this index for “virgin” olive oil quality. In addition, the ratio of chlorophyll/carotenoid should be around 1, and the ratio of minor carotenoids/lutein should be about 0.5, with a limited variability. These characteristics may be expected of virgin olive oil in general and are independent of variety. Finally, the percentage of lutein, violaxanthin, and total pigment content may be used to distinguish between mono-variety virgin olive oils.     

Impact of Genotype on Carotenoids Profile in Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles japonica) Seed Oil

The Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) is a fruit crop that is processed for industry nearly 100% and generates considerable quantities of seeds. The seeds of Japanese quince can be an alternative raw material for the recovery of oil rich in phytosterols, tocopherols, and carotenoids. Despite having been reported for high content of carotenoids, their composition has not been determined yet. Therefore, in the present study, the profiles of carotenoids in the seed oil of 12 genotypes Japanese quince were studied. Overall, seven carotenoids were identified (β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, violaxanthin, trans-, and cis-neoxanthin), and one was unidentified. In eight and three of the investigated genotypes of Japanese quince all eight and seven forms of carotenoids, respectively, were found. While in genotype SR-1-1A only three carotenoids were detected. The content of total carotenoids in different seed oils of Japanese quince measured via HPLC was in the range of 2.05–3.81 mg/100 g of oil. The PCA showed that most of the studied samples (83%) were located in one group providing a similar composition and concentration of carotenoids in most genotypes of Japanese quince. A critical finding for industrial/manufacturing processes that require similar and reproducible quality parameters.     

A comparison of lycopene and canthaxanthin absorption: Using the rat to study the absorption of non-provitamin a carotenoids

The purpose of this study was to validate the use of the mesenteric lymph duct cannulated rat to study the absorption of carotenoids which do not have provitamin Activity. The absorption of two carotenoids, a hydrocarbon carotenoid (lycopene) and a xanthophyll carotenoid (canthaxanthin), were investigated. In the first experiment, lipid emulsions containing lycopene (LYC) or canthaxanthin (CTX) were continuously infused into the duodenum, and lymph was collected for analysis at 2-h intervals. The time course for absorption of carotenoids and triacylglycerol (TAG) was similar. Carotenoids and TAG reached steady-state concentrations in the lymph by 6 h. There was no evidence for a delayed release of either carotenoid from the intestine relative to TAG. During a second experiment, emulsions containing increasing concentrations of LYC or CTX (5, 10, 15, 20 μmol/L) were infused. The LYC and CTX in the lymph increased in a dose-dependent manner. The average efficiency of CTX absorption was 16% while the efficiency of LYC absorption averaged only 6%. Efficiency of carotenoid absorption was not related to concentration infused. Finally, to test whether LYC and CTX interact during absorption both were added to a lipid emulsion at equal concentrations (20 μmol/L) and infused. The carotenoids did not significantly affect each other's absorption. These results demonstrate the usefulness of the rat as an animal model to study the absorption of non-provitamin A carotenoids.     

Solubilization of carotenoids from carrot juice and spinach in lipid phases: II. Modeling the duodenal environment

We have been investigating the factors determining the bioavailability of carotenoids from vegetables. The previous paper [Rich, G.T., Bailey, A.L., Faulks, R.M., Parker, M.L., Wickham, M.S.J., and Fillery-Travis, A. (2003) Solubilization of Carotenoids from Carrot Juice and Spinach in Lipid Phases: I. Modeling the Gastric Lumen, Lipids 38, 933–945] modeled the gastric lumen and studied the solubilization pathway of carotenes and lutein from carrot juice and homogenized spinach to oil. Using the same vegetable preparations, we have extended our investigations to solubilization pathways potentially available in the duodenum and looked at the ease of solubilization of carotenes and lutein within simplified lipid micellar and oil phases present within the duodenum during digestion. Micellar solubility of raw spinach carotenoids was low and was enhanced by freezing, which involved a blanching step. The efficiency of solubilization of carotenoids in glycodeoxycholate micelles decreased in the order lutein_carrot>lutein_{blanched-frozen spinach}>carotene_{blanched-frozen spinach}>carotene_carrot. Frozen spinach carotenoids were less soluble in simple micelles of taurocholate than of glycodeoxycholate. The results comparing the solubility of the carotenoids in mixed micelles (bile salt with lecithin) with simple bile salt micelles are explained by the relative stability of the carotenoid in the organelle compared to that in the micelle. The latter is largely determined by the polarity of the micelle. Below their critical micelle concentration (CMC), bile salts inhibit transfer of carotenoids from tissue to a lipid oil phase. Above their CMC, the bile salts that solubilize a carotenoid can provide an additional route to the oil from the tissue for that carotenoid by virtue of the equilibrium between micellar phases and the interfacial pathway. Mixed micellar phases inhibit transfer of both carotenoids from the tissue to the oil phase, thereby minimizing this futile pathway.     

Carotenoid Composition of Invertebrates Consumed by Two Insectivorous Bird Species

Dietary carotenoids are important pigments, antioxidants, and immune-stimulants for birds. Despite recent interest in carotenoids in bird ecology, we know surprisingly little about the carotenoid content of invertebrates consumed by birds. We compared carotenoid (lutein, β-carotene, and total) concentrations in invertebrates brought to nestlings by two insectivorous passerines, the great tit, Parus major and the pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca. We also compared carotenoid levels between environments that were either polluted by heavy metals or were not polluted, because the carotenoid-based plumage color of P. major nestlings is affected by environmental pollution. Lepidopterans were the most carotenoid-rich food items and contained the largest proportion of lutein. There were no differences in carotenoid concentrations in the food items of the two bird species but P. major nestlings obtained more carotenoids from their invertebrate diet than F. hypoleuca nestlings because the P. major diet had a higher proportion of lepidopteran larvae. In polluted areas, P. major nestlings consumed lower levels of dietary carotenoids than in unpolluted areas because of temporal differences in caterpillar abundance between polluted and unpolluted sites. Our study suggests that pollution-related difference in nestling plumage color in P. major is related to varying dietary proportion of lutein-rich food items rather than pollution-related variation in insect carotenoid levels.     

Plant sterol esters lower plasma lipids and most carotenoids in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults

The ability of plant sterol esters (PSE) in salad dressing to modify plasma lipids and carotenoids was determined in 26 men and 27 women fed controlled, weight-maintaining, isocaloric diets. Diets contained typical American foods that provided 32% of energy from fat. Dressings contained 8 g (ranch) or 4 g (Italian) of fat per serving. PSF (3.6 g/d) were provided in two servings/d of one of the dressings. Diets with ranch or Italian dressing without and with PSE were fed for 3 wk/diet and crossed over randomly within dressings. Diets were adjusted to similar fat and fatty acid concentrations. Type of salad dressing did not affect plasma lipids, lipoproteins, carotenoids, or fat-soluble vitamins (P>0.05). Switching from a self-selected baseline diet to the control diet resulted in reduction in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol of 7.9%, a decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol of 3.1%, and a decrease in triglycerides (TG) of 9.3%. Consumption of 3.6 g of PSE resulted in further decreases in LDL cholesterol (9.7%) and TG (7.3%) but no additional change in HDL cholesterol. Total plasma carotenoids decreased 9.6% with PSE. An automated stepwise procedure was developed to produce candidate mixed models relating plasma carotenoid response to PSE. These models adjusted for preintervention plasma carotenoid levels and effects of diets on blood lipids. There were significant decreases in β-carotene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin (females only) not associated with changes in plasma lipids. Plasma carotenoids on all diets remained within normal ranges. We conclude that low-fat foods, such as salad dressings, are effective carriers for PSE.     

Analysis of carotenoids and vitamin E in selected oilseeds,press cakes and oils

Carotenoids and vitamin E in oils from the market – 6 rapeseed and 6 sunflower oils, half of each cold pressed and refined – and in the oils of rape, sunflower, flax and safflower as well as the respective seeds and press cakes from a local oil mill were quantified by HPLC. Furthermore, a photometric determination of carotenoid content was tested and checked against the chromatographic method. In the cold pressed oils minor amounts of xanthophylls (all‐E)‐lutein and (all‐E)‐zeaxanthin were determined. With exception of traces of (all‐E)‐β‐carotene in cold‐pressed rapeseed oil this provitamin A active compound did not occur. Cold pressed rapeseed oils contained 0.5–1.5 mg total carotenoids/100 g which was manifold the content of the further oils. Vitamin E was found in all vegetable oils at plant‐typic tocopherol patterns. The photometric determination of carotenoids resulted in significantly higher concentrations compared to the HPLC. This overestimation bases on the carotenoid pattern which was validated by comparison with known high‐carotenoid materials, i.e. maize flour with an abundant amount of xanthophylls and carrots with an abundant amount of carotenes.     

Tocopherols,Tocotrienols and Carotenoids in Kernel Oils Recovered from 15 Apricot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus armeniaca</Emphasis> L.) Genotypes

We studied the content of tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenoids in oil extracted from the kernels of 15 apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) genotypes and the associated oil yield of the studied samples. The oil yield in apricot kernels was in a wide range of 27.2–61.4% (w/w) dry weight basis. For each class of studied compounds (tocochromanols and carotenoids), a three-fold difference was found between the lowest and the highest content (78.8–258.5 and 0.15–0.53 mg/100 g of oil, respectively). γ-Tocopherol accounted for 91–94% of total tocochromanols detected in all tested samples. Lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene were the main compounds among the eight different carotenoids detected in apricot kernel oils; they comprised 76–94% of the total carotenoids content, and compositions were characteristic for specific genotypes. The oil yield and content of lipophilic antioxidants in apricot kernel oils were significantly affected by the genotype. The oil yield was negatively correlated with the total amount of tocochromanols (r = ?0.910) and carotenoids (r = ?0.704) in apricot kernel oils.     

Genetic Diversity and Association Analysis for Carotenoid Content among Sprouts of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

The development and promotion of biofortified foods plants are a sustainable strategy for supplying essential micronutrients for human health and nutrition. We set out to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with carotenoid content in cowpea sprouts. The contents of carotenoids, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene in sprouts of 125 accessions were quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography. Significant variation existed in the profiles of the different carotenoids. Lutein was the most abundant (58 ± 12.8 mg/100 g), followed by zeaxanthin (14.7 ± 3.1 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (13.2 ± 2.9 mg/100 g). A strong positive correlation was observed among the carotenoid compounds (r ≥ 0.87), indicating they can be improved concurrently. The accessions were distributed into three groups, following their carotenoid profiles, with accession C044 having the highest sprout carotenoid content in a single cluster. A total of 3120 genome-wide SNPs were tested for association analysis, which revealed that carotenoid biosynthesis in cowpea sprouts is a polygenic trait controlled by genes with additive and dominance effects. Seven loci were significantly associated with the variation in carotenoid content. The evidence of variation in carotenoid content and genomic regions controlling the trait creates an avenue for breeding cowpea varieties with enhanced sprouts carotenoid content.     

Unique bioactive molecule composition of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) oils obtained from the peel,pulp, and seeds via physical “solvent-free” approaches

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a highly valuable plant with bioactive compounds widely used in food, medicinal, and pharmaceutical industry. During sea buckthorn berry processing into juice, byproducts from the juice, peels, and seeds are generated. Hence, in this study three types of oils (pulp, seed, and peel oil) were obtained via the use of physical “green” technologies. The pulp oil was obtained by a milk separator, while seed and peel oils were extracted by a cold-press. The extracted oils were then subjected to assays that determined their detailed profiles of triacylglycerols, fatty acids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, carotenoids, sterols, and phenolic compounds. The peel oil was a significantly richer source of bioactive compounds compared to both the pulp and seed oils. With respect to the lipid profile, the peel oil was similar compared to the pulp oil. The peel oil also had a slightly lower content of sterols in comparison to seed oil and was the only oil fraction that had considerable levels of squalene present. The concentration ranges of the minor molecules detected are as follows: 100.0–273.6, 427.4–575.0, 0–402.4, 0.9–72.0, 0.9–15.6 mg/100 g oil of tocochromanols, sterols, squalene, carotenoids, and flavonols, respectively.