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.     

Carotenoid composition of kale as influenced by maturity,season and minimal processing

The principal carotenoids of kale were identified by chemical reactions, high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and high‐performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array detection and were quantified by the last technique. In kale taken from conventional farms, the β‐carotene and lutein contents were significantly higher in the mature leaves, violaxanthin was at an unusually high level in the young leaves, and neoxanthin had practically the same concentration at both stages of maturity. In samples taken from an organic farm, the carotenoid contents were essentially the same in the young and the mature leaves. Except for β‐carotene, which did not differ with season, the carotenoid concentrations of marketed minimally processed kale were found to be significantly higher in the summer than in the winter, reflecting seasonal rather than processing effects. In minimally processed kale monitored during 5 days of storage at 7–9 °C, β‐carotene, lutein, violaxanthin and neoxanthin were reduced by 14, 27, 20 and 31% respectively. Thus minimal processing, seasonal and maturity factors were found to have an influence on the carotenoid content of kale. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Total and individual carotenoids and phenolic acids content in fresh,refrigerated and processed spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

The carotenoid and phenolic acid contents in fresh, stored and processed (blanched, frozen and boiled) spinach were comparatively determined by spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses. The major carotenoids identified after HPLC analysis in saponified samples were lutein (37–53 μg/kg), β-carotene (18–31 μg/kg), violaxanthin (9–23 μg/kg) and neoxanthin (10–22 μg/kg). These carotenoids were all affected by storage and/or heating. The content of carotenoids was best preserved after storage for one day at 4 °C.     

Postharvest dehydration of wine white grapes to increase genistein, daidzein and the main carotenoids

Wine white grape bunches of the Grechetto variety were dehydrated at 10, 20 and 30°C, RH 45% and forced air ventilation of 1.5m/s. Chemical and metabolic changes due to the effect of dehydration were studied at various stages of weight loss: 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. Berry colour at 10 and 20°C tended to become greener with dehydration but at 30°C, at the final sampling, the colour darkened. Acidity decreased in all samples, while sugars increased. Total phenol content increased at 10°C until 30% weight loss was reached and then declined, while at 20 and 30°C the concentration decreased immediately. The contents of lutein and β-carotene (respectively 68 and 58mg/kg d.w.), representing the 80% of total carotenoids, did not change significantly until the 30% of weight loss, when at 30°C the value increased above all for lutein while at 10 and 20°C, the contents decreased significantly. Daidzein, at 10°C, rose significantly from about 150μg/kg d.w. to 1434μg/kg d.w. at 20% weight loss and then declined; at the same weight loss percentage, the genistein concentration began to increase. At 20°C both isoflavones rose until the end of the experiment, reaching values similar to the sample at 10°C. A temperature of 30°C was deleterious to grape isoflavones. A discussion on the changes in isoflavones related to temperature and time is reported.     

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%).     

A simple,sensitive HPLC-DAD method for simultaneous determination of carotenoids,chlorophylls and α-tocopherol in leafy vegetables

Leafy vegetables are the important components of our diet and are the source of several beneficial phytochemicals. A sensitive, simple analytical method is therefore required to precisely measure the phytochemical composition. A validated reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method was developed to determine simultaneously carotenoids, chlorophylls and α-tocopherol composition of six leafy vegetables (B. compestris, B. rapa, B. juncea, M. neglecta, and two spinach varieties). Carotenoids were extracted and efficiently separated using a tertiary mobile gradient system of methanol–water, water and MTBE in 40 min on a reversed phase C18 column. The method was simple, precise, accurate and highly reproducible. Twelve carotenoids namely lutein and its three isomers, β-carotene-5,6-epoxide, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, two cis-isomers of zeaxanthin, 8-apo-carotenal, all-trans-β-carotene and its 13-cis-isomer; one fatty acid ester (β-cryptoxanthin ester); α-tocopherol and chlorophyll a & b were quantified in vegetable leaves. α-Tocopherol, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, 8-apo-carotenal, chlorophyll a and all-trans-β-carotene were present in higher amounts. Significant variations in the major compounds were observed in the selected vegetables. It was concluded that the developed method was highly sensitive, accurate and can be used to analyze carotenoids, chlorophylls and α-tocopherol simultaneously in leafy vegetables as well as in other plant leaves.     

Carotenoid Photostability in Raw Spinach and Carrots During Cold Storage

A reverse-phase gradient HPLC method was developed for separating xanthophylls, chlorophylls, carotenes and cisβ-carotene isomers from raw spinach and carrots. The effect of dark and lighted cold storage on pigment stability was studied. Light promoted pigment losses in raw spinach. Degradative losses at 8 days ranged from 60% for violaxanthin to 22% for lutein. Dark, cold storage did not affect carotenoid levels except for all-transβ-carotene which showed an 18% loss at 8 days. In raw carrots, neither lighted nor dark cold storage affected major carotenoids. In spinach, the isomeric distribution of β-carotene showed strong linear correlations between trans and cis forms.     

Determination of the carotenoid content in selected vegetables and fruit by HPLC and photodiode array detection

 Epidemiological studies have shown inverse correlations between the consumption of vegetables and fruit rich in carotenoids and the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. A total of 22 species of vegetables (including potatoes) and 28 of fruit (including rhubarb) were analysed for their contents of carotenoids by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and photodiode array detection. A total of 27 carotenoids (among them β-carotene, lutein and violaxanthin also as cis isomers) were identified and quantified. Lutein, β-carotene (trans and cis forms) and violaxanthin were the predominant carotenoids in all green vegetables. Yellow and yellow-red vegetables and fruit contained β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and α-cryptoxanthin. Antheraxanthin and neoxanthin were found in nearly all produce. Lycopene was the predominant carotene in tomatoes, papayas and grapefruit. Vegetables with more than 10 mg of total carotenoids per 100-g edible portion were kale (34.8), red paprika (30.4), parsley (25.7), spinach (17.3), lamb’s lettuce (16.0), carrots (15.9) and tomatoes (12.7). In the case of fruit, grapefruit (3.5), papayas (3.4) and nectarines (2.4) were pre-eminent with more than 2 mg of total carotenoids (except for phytoene, phytofluene and ζ-carotene) per 100 g. Received: 27 March 1996     

Flowers and Leaves of Tropaeolum majus L. as Rich Sources of Lutein

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 μg/g and 350 ± 50 μg/g lutein, respectively. Violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, zeinoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, and β-carotene were also detected at very low levels. The leaves had 136 ± 18 μg/g lutein, 69 ± 7 μg/g β-carotene, 74 ± 23 μg/g violaxanthin, and 48 ± 13 μg/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 β-carotene.     

饼肥对烤烟叶片不同发育时期类胡萝卜素及其主要降解产物的影响

采用盆栽试验研究了饼肥对不同发育时期烤烟叶片类胡萝卜素及其主要降解产物的影响。结果表明,烟叶发育过程中类胡萝卜素各组分含量随生育时期逐渐下降,不同处理间烟叶类胡萝卜素含量变化存在差异。50%饼肥处理可促进烟叶类胡萝卜素总量、新黄质、叶黄素和中后期β-胡萝卜素的积累,而用量过高不利于初期和末期烟叶中紫黄质的积累;适宜的饼肥用量可调节发育末期类胡萝卜素类物质的组分构成,在烟叶发育期,50%饼肥处理的烟叶中多数类胡萝卜素降解产物总量较大,β-大马酮、香叶基丙酮、β-紫罗兰酮、二氢猕猴桃内酯等物质含量也较其它两个处理高。      

Carotenoid composition and vitamin A value of some native Brazilian green leafy vegetables

The composition of carotenoids in five native Brazilian leafy vegetables was determined. The ranges of total carotenoid contents of Amaranthus viridis, Lepidium pseudodidymum, Xanthosoma spp., Sonchus oleraceus , and Portulaca oleracea were 347–468, 237–280, 225–361, 149–334 and 71–109 μg g⁻¹, with lutein and β-carotene predominating. The mean β-carotene contents (μg⁻¹) and vitamin A values (retinol equivalents RE_g⁻¹) were 110 and 18.4, 84.6 and 14.1, 67.3 and 11.2, 62.9 and 10.5, 29.8 and 4.99, respectively. The leaves contained 54–61% of lutein plus violaxanthin, 24–34% of β-carotene, 10–14% of neoxanthin and traces of zeaxanthin and α-crypto-xanthin. The native leafy vegetables were richer sources of provitamin A than the cultivated leafy vegetables analysed previously, justifying their commercial production.     

Separation and identification of the yellow carotenoids in Potamogeton crispus L.

It was found that ducks fed with Potamogeton crispus L. could lay natural red-yolk eggs with good quality in vast lake areas. P. crispus L. was found to be a new resource of carotenoids based on this fact. Carotenoids from P. crispus L. were extracted using petroleum ether-acetone and saponified using 40% methanolic potassium hydroxide. Four major yellow carotenoid pigments were obtained by a MgO column and thin-layer chromatography. These carotenoids were identified as neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein and β-carotene based on visible spectra in different solvents compared with values reported in the literature, functional group tests and mass spectrum by LC-MS. The content of total carotenoids from P. crispus L. was measured to be 231 μg/g (dry weight) by visible absorption spectroscopy.     

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.     

CAROTENOID TRANSFORMATIONS IN RIPENING APRICOTS AND PEACHES

SUMMARY –β-Carotene was the dominant pigment of apricot tissue and accumulated rapidly during ripening; however, in peach tissue, β-carotene along with lutein and violaxanthin were synthesized in almost equal amounts during the ripening process. In the latter tissue small amounts of zeaxanthin were detected mid-point in the ripening sequence. Peach and apricot tissue incorporated [2-¹⁴ C] mevalonic acid into β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein and also into violaxanthin in peach tissue. Incorporation of [2-¹⁴ C] mevalonic acid into the above carotenoids was greatest during the initial stages of ripening in the peach and then declined with senescence especially in the xanthophylls lutein and violaxanthin.     

烟草牻牛儿基牻牛儿基焦磷酸合成酶类似基因的克隆及其功能研究

利用同源克隆法从普通烟草(Nicotiana tabacum)红花大金元的cDNA 中克隆到一个新基因NtGGPPSL(Geranylgeranylpyrophosphate synthase-like),其编码区全长为813 bp。Blast 结果显示该基因与林烟草(Nicotiana sylvestris)、绒毛状烟草(Nicotiana tomentosiformis)和番茄(Solanum lycopersicum)的GGPPS 小亚基基因的相似度分别达到了99%、91% 和82%,但其编码的蛋白质序列缺失了GGPPS小亚基的关键功能域“DDXXXXD”,这表明NtGGPPSL 基因的功能可能与GGPPS 小亚基基因不同。为了深入研究NtGGPPSL 基因的功能,通过实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time PCR)分析NtGGPPSL 基因在普通烟草不同时期和器官中的表达差异。利用TRV 病毒诱导的基因沉默(VIGS)体系抑制本氏烟草(Nicotiana benthamiana)中NtGGPPSL基因的表达,在成功沉默该基因之后,检测烟草中质体色素(新黄质、紫黄质、叶黄素、叶绿素a/b、β-胡萝卜素)含量的变化。结果显示,NtGGPPSL 基因在茎和根中的表达量明显高于其他器官。与对照组相比,在NtGGPPSL 基因沉默后,烟草叶片发生明显的褪绿现象,质体色素含量显著降低,表明该基因参与了叶绿素的合成,这为VIGS 体系提供了一个可参考的指示基因,也为烟草的遗传改良和基因功能研究提供了理论依据。      

Variation in the xanthophyll and carotene content of lucerne,clovers and grasses

The xanthophyll and carotene contents of eleven lucerne clones were found to be higher during September and November than during June and July. Both carotenoids reached a maximum at or before first flowering and then declined as blossoming progressed. Lutein decreased in November while violaxanthin increased. Six grasses and four legumes were analysed for the principal leaf xanthophylls, lutein, violaxanthin and neoxanthin, as well as total xanthophyll and carotene.     

Chlorophyll and Carotenoid Composition in Virgin Olive Oils from Various Spanish Olive Varieties

A study of chlorophyll and carotenoid composition of nine single-variety virgin olive oils from the main Spanish producing regions has shown differences depending on variety and ripening degree of the fruits. Pheophytin a was the major pigment in all the oils studied (44–58% total pigments), followed by lutein (18–38%) and β-carotene (6–17%). The chlorophyll pigments group also included pheophytin b and in some cases chlorophylls a and b . The carotenoid fraction also included the xanthophylls neoxanthin, violaxanthin, luteoxanthin, antheraxanthin, mutatoxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin. The mean provitamin A activity of the oils was 260 μg kg⁻¹ expressed as retinol equivalent. cis -α-Carotene (tentative), mono- and di-esterified xanthophylls and pheophorbide a were pigments exclusive to Arbequina variety, a fact that could be used as a chemo-taxonomic differentiator of the oils of this variety. The ratio between the chlorophyll fraction and the carotenoid fraction was maintained in most cases around 1, demonstrating that the green and yellow fractions were in balance, notwithstanding their greater or lesser total pigment content. The considerable range in the lutein/β-carotene ratio (between 1·3 and 5·1 depending on variety) makes this ratio a differentiator of single-variety oils. Despite the different sources of the oils, some general trends have been shown which suggest what chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments should be expected in an olive oil so as to include it within the denomination ‘virgin’.     

Effect of thermal pasteurization and concentration on carotenoid composition of Brazilian Valencia orange juice

Changes in carotenoid pigment content of Brazilian Valencia orange juices due to thermal pasteurization and concentration were studied. Total carotenoid pigment content loss was not significant after thermal pasteurization and concentration. However, thermal effects on carotenoid pigment contents, especially violaxanthin and lutein, were clearly observed and significant (P < 0.05). Pasteurization reduced the content of violaxanthin by 38% and lutein by 20%. The concentration process resulted in loss of lutein (17%). With the loss of lutein, β-cryptoxanthin became the major carotenoid in the pasteurized and concentrated juices. The provitamin A content of the juice (β-carotene, -carotene and β-cryptoxanthin) and the amount of zeaxanthin, which are considered to be active against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, did not significantly decrease after pasteurization and concentration.     

Effects of soybean oil and oxidized soybean oil on the stability of β-carotene

The effects of 1.0%, 2.5%, and 5.0% purified soybean oil and thermally oxidized soybean oil on the stability of 100 ppm β-carotene as a fat-soluble vitamin A and singlet oxygen quencher in isooctane have been studied. The samples were stored under 1000, 2000, or 4000 lx at 20 °C for 2 days and at 50 °C for 16 days in the dark. The β-carotene was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The centrifugation and filtration of vegetable mixture, during sample preparation for β-carotene analysis by HPLC, decreased the coefficient of variation from 4.13% to 1.02%. The purified soybean oil and thermally oxidized soybean oil stabilized β-carotene in isooctane under light and in the dark at α = 0.05. The losses of β-carotene, with 1.0% purified oil, 1.0% thermally oxidized oil and without any oil during 48 h under light, were 11.2%, 80%, and 100%, respectively. 100 ppm TBHQ had a protective effect on the stability of β-carotene in isooctane at α = 0.05. The β-carotene stability decreased as the light intensity increased from 1000 to 2000 or 4000 lx at α = 0.05. The stability of vitamins in fruit and vegetable drinks enriched with fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidants during storage can be greatly improved by adding approximately 1.0% high quality non-oxidized soybean oil.     

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.