The flower of Polygonatum cyrtonema has good edible and medicinal values. In this study, four samples of P. cyrtonema flowers from different regions were selected as test materials. The contents, composition and antioxidant activities of lipid-soluble pigments and alcohol-soluble components were determined under different light and temperature conditions, which help to reveal the discoloration reason and the composition variation patterns during storage. The results showed that light and temperature had different effects on the lipid-soluble pigments and alcohol-soluble components in the dried flowers during storage. After storage for 4 weeks, the contents of total chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenols and saponins in the samples exposed to light respectively decreased by 62.62%, 66.4%, 68.7% and 43.4% compared with those in the dark. The decreases in the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, lutein, β-carotene and zeaxanthin were 64.64%, 56.74%, 59.2%, 77.7% and 45.4%, respectively. The contents of pigments and components in the samples stored at-20 ℃ were significantly higher than those at room temperature and 4 ℃, indicating that low temperature was conductive to the stability of lipid-soluble pigments and alcohol-soluble components. The samples stored at low temperature and in the dark had the strongest free radical scavenging activity. The results suggest that P. cyrtonema dried flowers should be stored in low temperature environment without light, which can slow down the degradation of internal components. The study provides a theoretical basis for the production, processing and storage of P. cyrtonema flowers.
Antioxidants ; Carotenoids ; Chlorophyll A ; Flowers ; Polygonatum

Fresh,directly roasted and sand-roasted samples of the radix of ophlogogon contain also saponosids, flavonoids, aminoacides, carotenoids, sugars, fats. They are no significant differences. In decoction 1:1 form, ophlogogon with the dose of 2,5gr/kg of body weight manifests the inhibition of cough reflexe similar to terpine-codeine preparation;with the dose of 10mg /kg bd, no effect of phlegm clearing is manifested
Chemistry ; Biology ; Flavonoids ; Carotenoids ; Carbohydrates ; fats

Since synthetic pigments are potentially harmful to human health, natural ones such as bixin, one of the carotenoids, are favored. As the second widely used natural pigment in the world, there is significant interest in the biosynthetic pathway of bixin which has not been fully elucidated. This review summarizes the chemical properties, extraction methods, biosynthetic pathway and application of bixin. In addition, we compared the difference between traditional extraction methods and new extraction techniques. Moreover, we described the genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of bixin and the effects of abiotic stress on the biosynthesis of bixin, and discussed the application of bixin in food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. However, the researches on bixin biosynthesis pathway are mostly carried out at the transcriptome level and most of the gene functions have not been elucidated. Therefore, we propose to characterize the entire bixin biosynthetic pathway using techniques of genomics, bioinformatics, and phytochemistry. This will help facilitate the synthetic biology research of bixin and development of bixin into new drugs.
Bixaceae/genetics* ; Carotenoids ; Humans ; Pigmentation ; Transcriptome

A total of 206 residents (76 males and 130 females) of a rural area of Hokkaido, Japan, attending a health check in August, 1997, were studied to assess the relationship between serum carotenoids and atrophic gastritis (AG). Of the participants, 91 had AG, as indicated by their serum levels of pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II. Logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for gender and age, revealed that the odds ratios for serum carotenoid levels were lower for subjects with high serum levels of α-carotene (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% C.I., 0.19−0.88) and β-carotene (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% C.I., 0.18−0.91) than for those with low serum carotenoid levels. In addition, the odds ratios of subjects with high serum levels of β-cryptoxanthin (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% C.I., 0.28−1.31), provitamin A (odds ratio, 0.38; 95% C.I., 0.17−0.85), and retinol (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% C.I., 0.31−1.48) were found to be lower than the odds ratios for those with low serum levels. Odds ratios for subjects with high serum zeaxanthin/lutein levels were higher than odds ratios for those with low serum levels. These results suggest that frequent intake of foods rich in carotenoids with provitamin A activity may reduce the risk of AG.
Serum ; Carotenoids ; Carbon ion ; Hokkaido ; Silver

Carotenoids ; Dental Implants ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Oxygenases ; Tooth

Carotenoids are secondary metabolite responsible for colored pigments in plants and microbes (Li et al., 2022). They are a class of C₄₀ tetraterpenoids consisting of eight isoprenoid units, and can be classified into carotenes and xanthophylls on the basis of their functional groups (Saini et al., 2015). Carotenes can be linear (phytoene, phytofluene, and ζ‍-carotene) or branched (β‍-carotene and α‍-carotene). Xanthophylls comprise β,β‍-xanthophylls (β‍-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, violaxanthins, and neoxanthin) and β,ε‍-xanthophylls (α-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, and lutein). Citrus fruits are complex sources of carotenoids, which are the principal pigments responsible for the typical orange color of most types (Chen, 2020). The difference in total carotenoid content and the diversity of carotenoid isomer proportion also accounts for other colors of citrus fruits, such as yellow, red, and pink (Chen, 2020).
Citrus/metabolism* ; Carotenoids ; Xanthophylls ; Lutein/metabolism* ; Zeaxanthins/metabolism* ; Fruit

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics and genetic variant in a neonate with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). METHODS: Clinical data of the neonate was collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents and subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS: The child was noted to have yellowish hair upon birth. NGS revealed that he has harbored a heterozygous c.3914del (p.P1305Rfs*20) frameshifting variant of the TSC2 gene. The variant has probably caused premature termination of translation, resulting in a truncated protein. CONCLUSION Yellowish hair has rarely been described as the first manifestation of TSC. The c.3914del (p.P1305Rfs*20) variant of the TSC2 gene probably underlay the TSC in this patient.
Male ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Tuberous Sclerosis/genetics* ; Family ; Carotenoids ; Heterozygote

Brightly colored foods are a rich source of phytochemicals that may act against hyperglycemic agents. The major concern in diabetes is increased oxidative stress. Some studies on phytochemicals have revealed their antioxidant activities and beneficial effects for diabetes. Some well-known phytochemicals are carotinoids and flavonids such as lycopene, beta-carotin, and anthocyanin. Many studies suggest that phytochemical-rich foods might have therapeutic uses. However, the ingestion of improper amounts of these chemicals may be harmful. The most important message of this study is that a balanced diet has favorable effects on oxidative stress status in type 2 diabetes patients.
Anthocyanins ; Antioxidants ; Carotenoids ; Diet ; Eating ; Humans ; Oxidative Stress ; Therapeutic Uses

The present study was conducted to evaluate nutrient intakes of industrial workers with hyperlipidemia and cholesterol-saturated fat indices(CSI) of their daily meals and various side dishes accompanied with alcohol. Thirty eight male subjects of 41.0+/-6.5 years whose average serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were 222.9+/-37.7 and 282.3+/-139.3mg/dl were interviewed on daily intakes of foods and drinking habits including types and amounts of side dishes using 24-hour recall and questionnaire methods. Average energy habits including twenty six non-drinkers and twelve drinkers were 2365+/-416 and 2822+/-417kcal, respectively but intakes of other nutrients were not very different between two groups. Carotene intakes was, however, low in drinkers. Intakes of saturated fat, cholesterol and CSI of subjects' daily meals were 15.4+/-5.4g, 229+/-114mg and 27.1+/-10.4 for non-drinkers and 18.7+/-7.8g, 238+/-69mg and 30.8+/-9.8 for drinkers. CSI of their daily meals varied from 10 to 60 without much differences in energy values and were positively correlated with serum cholesterol levels(r=0.2606, p<0.05). Average alcohol intakes obtained from subjects' drinking habit was 89.5+/-46.8g per day and major side dish was roasted beef giving 660+/-234kcal of energy and 24.3+/-8.0 of CSI. From the present study, it is concluded that industrial workers are more prone to have hyperlipidemic diets due to alcohol. To improve their diet and health, an appropriate nutrition education should be necessary and CSI of various Korean foods and meals can be used as handy self-control education tool.
Carotenoids ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Drinking* ; Education ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Male ; Meals ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A pivotal role of oxidative stress has been emphasized in the pathogenesis as well as in the disease progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed at investigating serum levels of antioxidant vitamins and elucidating whether they could be associated with the pathogenesis and progression of PD. MATERIALS/METHODS: Serum levels of retinol, α- and γ-tocopherols, α- and β-carotenes, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin were measured and compared between 104 patients with idiopathic PD and 52 healthy controls matched for age and gender. In order to examine the relationship between antioxidant vitamins and the disease progression, multiple group comparisons were performed among the early PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage I and II, N = 47), advanced PD (stage III and IV, N = 57) and control groups. Separate correlation analyses were performed between the measured antioxidant vitamins and clinical variables, such as Hoehn and Yahr stage and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score. RESULTS: Compared to controls, PD patients had lower levels of α- and β-carotenes and lycopene. α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene levels were significantly reduced in advanced PD patients relative to early PD patients and were negatively correlated with Hoehn and Yahr stage and UPDRS motor score in PD patients. No significant differences were found in serum levels of retinol, α- and γ-tocopherols, and other carotenoids between PD patients and controls. No significant correlations were found between these vitamin levels and clinical variables in PD patients. CONCLUSIONS: We found that serum levels of some carotenoids, α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene, were lower in PD patients, and that these carotenoids inversely correlated with clinical variables representing disease progression. Our findings suggest that decreases in serum α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene may be associated with the pathogenesis as well as progression of PD.
Carotenoids ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Lutein ; Oxidative Stress ; Parkinson Disease* ; Tocopherols* ; Vitamin A* ; Vitamins ; Zeaxanthins