Recent studies have suggested that betacarotene supplements can increase the risk of lung cancer among current, long-term smokers. However, these studies may have been conceived and executed on a number of faulty assumptions. There was no evidence to suggest that beta-carotene would protect specifically against lung cancer, particularly in high-risk populations. There are significant isomeric a...

Xanthophylls, primarily hydroxyland keto-derivatives of β-carotene (such as zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, echinenone and astaxanthin) have powerful antioxidant activity. Due to several positive effects on human and animal health, industrial application of xanthophylls shows an increasing tendency. In our previous study, carotenoid biosynthesis of the β-carotene producing zygomycet...

It was determined that lycopene could be cyclized directly by Rhodotorula glutinis. It was also shown the the temperature effect (i.e., increased beta-carotene synthesis in response to lower incubation temperatures) in R. glutinis was controlled by changes in enzyme concentration.

abstract         background and objective: microalgae are a group of algae that produce biochemical products consisting of a wide range of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins that are commercially valuable. interest in microalgal cultivation is currently blossoming globally. species of dunaliella are found in freshwater, euryhaline habitats of all continents, oceans including the dead sea and ev...

This study assessed the effect of processing method on carotenoid profile oil from three varieties Nigerian palm fruits (Elaise guinensis). Specific Elaise guinensis, which are dura, pesifera and tenera were obtained National Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Edo state, Nigeria. The samples divided into two processed using different methods as commonly practiced south-eastern Nigeria, ...

Vitamin A and its derivatives have recently reported to be implicated in synaptic plasticity. The possible effect of vitamin A and its precursor, ?-carotene, on seizure acquisition was tested in PTZ kindling model of epilepsy. Vitamin A and ?-carotene were tested for their ability to 1) suppress seizures (clonic and tonic) and lethality induced by PTZ in PTZ-kindled mice (anticonvulsant effect)...

High consumption of fruits and vegetables has been suggested to provide some protection to smokers who are exposed to an increased risk of numerous cancers and other degenerative diseases. Carrot is the most important source of dietary β-carotene. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether carrot juice supplementation to smokers can protect against lymphocyte DNA damage a...

The vitamin A (VA) value of carotenoids from fruits and vegetables is affected by many factors. This study determined the VA value of -carotene isolated from carrots compared with -carotene and retinyl acetate supplements fed to Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Gerbils (n 38) were fed a VA-free diet for 4 wk. At baseline, 6 gerbils were killed to determine liver VA. Gerbils were divid...

Background: Whereas conventional white cassava roots are devoid of provitamin A, biofortified yellow varieties are naturally rich in b-carotene, the primary provitamin A carotenoid. Objective: We assessed the effect of consuming yellow cassava on serum retinol concentration in Kenyan schoolchildren with marginal vitamin A status. Design:We randomly allocated 342 children aged 5–13 y to receive ...

OBJECTIVE To describe the distribution of carotenoid intakes and important food sources of carotenoids in the diet of a representative population of older Australians. DESIGN Population-based cohort study. SETTING Two post-code areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia. SUBJECTS We studied 2012 (86%) of the 2334 participants aged 55+ years attending the 5-year follow-up of th...