Showing papers on "Neoxanthin published in 2014"

Identification of the carotenoid modifying gene PALE YELLOW PETAL 1 as an essential factor in xanthophyll esterification and yellow flower pigmentation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Abstract: Summary Xanthophylls, the pigments responsible for yellow to red coloration, are naturally occurring carotenoid compounds in many colored tissues of plants. These pigments are esterified within the chromoplast; however, little is known about the mechanisms underlying their accumulation in flower organs. In this study, we characterized two allelic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) mutants, pale yellow petal (pyp) 1-1 and pyp1-2, that have reduced yellow color intensity in the petals and anthers due to loss-of-function mutations. Carotenoid analyses showed that the yellow flower organs of wild-type tomato contained high levels of xanthophylls that largely consisted of neoxanthin and violaxanthin esterified with myristic and/or palmitic acids. Functional disruption of PYP1 resulted in loss of xanthophyll esters, which was associated with a reduction in the total carotenoid content and disruption of normal chromoplast development. These findings suggest that xanthophyll esterification promotes the sequestration of carotenoids in the chromoplast and that accumulation of these esters is important for normal chromoplast development. Next-generation sequencing coupled with map-based positional cloning identified the mutant alleles responsible for the pyp1 phenotype. PYP1 most likely encodes a carotenoid modifying protein that plays a vital role in the production of xanthophyll esters in tomato anthers and petals. Our results provide insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the production of xanthophyll esters in higher plants, thereby shedding light on a longstanding mystery.

The tomato mutation nxd1 reveals a gene necessary for neoxanthin biosynthesis and demonstrates that violaxanthin is a sufficient precursor for abscisic acid biosynthesis

Abstract: Carotenoid pigments are indispensable for plant life. They are synthesized within plastids where they provide essential functions in photosynthesis. Carotenoids serve as precursors for the synthesis of the strigolactone phytohormones, which are made from β-carotene, and of abscisic acid (ABA), which is produced from certain xanthophylls. Despite the significant progress that has been made in our understanding of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, the synthesis of the xanthophyll neoxanthin has remained unknown. We report here on the isolation of a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) mutant, neoxanthin-deficient 1 (nxd1), which lacks neoxanthin, and on the cloning of a gene that is necessary for neoxanthin synthesis in both tomato and Arabidopsis. The locus nxd1 encodes a gene of unknown function that is conserved in all higher plants. The activity of NXD1 is essential but cannot solely support neoxanthin synthesis. Lack of neoxanthin does not significantly reduce the fitness of tomato plants in cultivated field conditions and does not impair the synthesis of ABA, suggesting that in tomato violaxanthin is a sufficient precursor for ABA production in vivo.

Metabolomic analysis using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF MS) uncovers the effects of light intensity and temperature under shading treatments on the metabolites in tea.

Abstract: To investigate the effect of light intensity and temperature on the biosynthesis and accumulation of quality-related metabolites, field grown tea plants were shaded by Black Net and Nano-insulating Film (with additional 2–4°C cooling effect) with un-shaded plants as a control. Young shoots were subjected to UPLC-Q-TOF MS followed by multivariate statistical analysis. Most flavonoid metabolites (mainly flavan-3-ols, flavonols and their glycosides) decreased significantly in the shading treatments, while the contents of chlorophyll, β-carotene, neoxanthin and free amino acids, caffeine, benzoic acid derivatives and phenylpropanoids increased. Comparison between two shading treatments indicated that the lower temperature under Nano shading decreased flavonols and their glycosides but increased accumulation of flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins. The comparison also showed a greater effect of temperature on galloylation of catechins than light intensity. Taken together, there might be competition for substrates between the up- and down-stream branches of the phenylpropanoid/flavonoid pathway, which was influenced by light intensity and temperature.

New target carotenoids for CCD4 enzymes are revealed with the characterization of a novel stress-induced carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase gene from Crocus sativus

Abstract: Apocarotenoid compounds play diverse communication functions in plants, some of them being as hormones, pigments and volatiles. Apocarotenoids are the result of enzymatic cleavage of carotenoids catalyzed by carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD). The CCD4 family is the largest family of plant CCDs, only present in flowering plants, suggesting a functional diversification associated to the adaptation for specific physiological capacities unique to them. In saffron, two CCD4 genes have been previously isolated from the stigma tissue and related with the generation of specific volatiles involved in the attraction of pollinators. The aim of this study was to identify additional CCD4 members associated with the generation of other carotenoid-derived volatiles during the development of the stigma. The expression of CsCCD4c appears to be restricted to the stigma tissue in saffron and other Crocus species and was correlated with the generation of megastigma-4,6,8-triene. Further, CsCCD4c was up-regulated by wounding, heat, and osmotic stress, suggesting an involvement of its apocarotenoid products in the adaptation of saffron to environmental stresses. The enzymatic activity of CsCCD4c was determined in vivo in Escherichia coli and subsequently in Nicotiana benthamiana by analyzing carotenoids by HPLC-DAD and the volatile products by GC/MS. β-Carotene was shown to be the preferred substrate, being cleaved at the 9,10 (9',10') bonds and generating β-ionone, although β-cyclocitral resulting from a 7,8 (7',8') cleavage activity was also detected at lower levels. Lutein, neoxanthin and violaxanthin levels in Nicotiana leaves were markedly reduced when CsCCD4c is over expressed, suggesting that CsCCD4c recognizes these carotenoids as substrates.

The P450-type carotene hydroxylase PuCHY1 from Porphyra suggests the evolution of carotenoid metabolism in red algae

Abstract: Carotene hydroxylases catalyze the hydroxylation of α- and β-carotene hydrocarbons into xanthophylls. In red algae, β-carotene is a ubiquitously distributed carotenoid, and hydroxylated carotenoids such as zeaxanthin and lutein are also found. However, no enzyme with carotene hydroxylase activity had been previously identified in red algae. Here, we report the isolation of a gene encoding a cytochrome P450-type carotene hydroxylase (PuCHY1) from Porphyra umbilicalis, a red alga with an ancient origin. Sequence comparisons found PuCHY1 belongs to the CYP97B subfamily, which has members from different photosynthetic organisms ranging from red algae to land plants. Functional complementation in Escherichia coli suggested that PuCHY1 catalyzed the conversion from β-carotene to zeaxanthin. When we overexpressed PuCHY1 in the Arabidopsis thaliana chy2 mutant, pigment analysis showed a significant accumulation of hydroxylated carotenoids, including neoxanthin, violaxanthin, and lutein in the leaves of transgenic plants. These results confirmed a β-hydroxylation activity of PuCHY1, and also suggested a possible ϵ-hydroxylation function. The pigment profile and gene expression analyses of the algal thallus under high-light stress suggested that P. umbilicalis is unlikely to operate a partial xanthophyll cycle for photoprotection.

In vitro investigation of the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from raw, frozen and boiled red chili peppers (Capsicum annuum)

Abstract: Carotenoid-rich foods are associated with antioxidant activity and the ability to alleviate chronic diseases. The present study investigated the effect of processing on the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids from 13 cultivars of red chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). Carotenoids in chili peppers were analyzed before an in vitro digestion process. The portion of carotenoid transferred to the micelle fraction (bioaccessibility) was also quantified. β-Carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, capsanthin and antheraxanthin were the most abundant carotenoids. Zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, neoxanthin and lutein were detected at lower concentrations. In general, freezing and boiling reduced carotenoid contents. Capsanthin and zeaxanthin had the highest bioaccessibility at an average value from 36 to 40 %, followed by antheraxanthin (26 %). Bioaccessibility of β-cryptoxanthin, violaxanthin and β-carotene was lower, averaging 6.1, 4.8 and 4.0 %, respectively. Neoxanthin and lutein were not detected in micelles. Freezing increased the bioaccessibility of capsanthin, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and violaxanthin; β-cryptoxanthin bioaccessibility increased and capsanthin and zeaxanthin bioaccessibility decreased following boiling. Differences in the contents and bioaccessibility of carotenoids in 13 C. annuum cultivars and between the processed methods were herein evidenced.

Light-dependent conformational change of neoxanthin in a siphonous green alga, Codium intricatum , revealed by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract: Siphonous green algae, a type of deep-sea green algae, appear olive drab and utilize blue–green light for photosynthesis. A siphonous green alga, Codium (C.) intricatum, was isolated from Okinawa prefecture in Japan, and a clonal algal culture in filamentous form was established. The major light-harvesting antenna was analogous to the trimeric LHCII found in higher plants, but the C. intricatum complex contained an unusual carbonyl carotenoid siphonaxanthin. Culture conditions were optimized to achieve high siphonaxanthin content in intact lyophilized filamentous bodies. Interestingly, the carotenoid composition was different when cultured under high irradiance: all-trans neoxanthin was accumulated in addition to the normal 9′-cis form in whole cell extract. Resonance Raman spectra of intact filamentous bodies, cultured under high- and low-light conditions, confirmed the accumulation of all-trans neoxanthin under high irradiance conditions. A plausible function of the presence of all-trans neoxanthin will be discussed in relation to the regulation against high light stress.

Light-dependent conformational change of neoxanthin in a siphonous green alga, Codium intricatum, revealed by Raman

Abstract: Siphonous green algae, a type of deep-sea green algae, appear olive drab and utilize blue-green light for pho- tosynthesis. A siphonous green alga, Codium (C.) intricatum, was isolated from Okinawa prefecture in Japan, and a clonal algal culture in filamentous form was established. The major light-harvesting antenna was analogous to the trimeric LHCII found in higher plants, but the C. intricatum complex con- tained an unusual carbonyl carotenoid siphonaxanthin. Cul- ture conditions were optimized to achieve high siphonaxanthin content in intact lyophilized filamentous bodies. Interestingly, the carotenoid composition was differ- ent when cultured under high irradiance: all-trans neoxanthin was accumulated in addition to the normal 9 0 -cis form in whole cell extract. Resonance Raman spectra of intact fila- mentous bodies, cultured under high- and low-light condi- tions, confirmed the accumulation of all-trans neoxanthin under high irradiance conditions. A plausible function of the presence of all-trans neoxanthin will be discussed in relation to the regulation against high light stress.

The physiological importance of the casein phosphopeptide calcium salts. I. Intravenous and peroral calcium cosage in animal experiments.

Abstract: By means of column and thin-layer chromatography, the authors investigated the presence of various carotenoids in thalli of 12 species of lichens from the Pyrenean Peninsula. The following carotenoids were found: lycophyll, lycoxanthin, β-carotene, α-, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lutein epoxide, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, canthaxanthin, phoenicoxanthin, adonixanthin, α-doradexanthin, astaxanthin, diatoxanthin, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, mutatochrome, mutatoxanthin and rhodoxanthin. The total content of carotenoids ranged from 2.299 ( Cetraria cucullata ) to 39.402 mg•g -1 dry weight ( Pseudoevernia furfuraceae ).

Characteristic carotenoids in some phytobenthos species in the coastal area of the Adriatic Sea

Abstract: The author investigated the presence of various carotcnoids in some phytobenthos species (20 species representative of Chlorophytn, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta ) from the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The presence of following carotenoids has been determined 1) in Chlorophyta lycopene, α-, β-, γ- , e-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lutein epoxide, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, siphonein and astaxanthin esier; 2) in Phorophyta : α-, β-, γ- , e- carotene, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, diataxanthin, fucoxanthin, fucoxanthol, neoxanthin, violaxanthin and rhodoxanthin-like: 3) in Rhodophyta α-, β-, γ-carotene,α-, β-,cryptoxanthin, lutein lutein epoxide, zeaxanthin, anthcraxanthin, mutatoxanthin, fucoxanthin neoxanthin and violaxanthin The total carotenoid content ranged from 1.197 ( Cystoseira corniculata ) to 16 748 mg g -1 dry weight ( Chaetomorpha aerea ).

Estimation of Carotenoid Contents of Selected Mediterranean Legumes by HPLC

Abstract: Vegetables, fruits and legumes are important foods for humans and their consumption maintain health and may reduce the risk of diseases. Carotenoids and provitamins A are considered important for human health. Four legumes (faba bean, chickpea, lentil and dry beans) were analyzed for their carotenoid composition and content by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Neoxanthin and violaxanthin were found in all samples except dry beans. Lutein was present in all the legumes studied. With the exception of faba bean for Zeaxanthin, both Zeaxanthin and -Carotene were found in all samples. Faba bean, chickpea, lentil and dry beans contained appreciable amounts of -carotene ( 0.089, 0.077, 0.157 and 0.039 µg g , respectively). Lentil 1 had the highest concentration of lutein (7.348 µg g ). In conclusion, the results revealed from this study agree 1

Investigations on carotenoids in lichens. XXII. Lichens from the Upper Tracja Valley (Bulgaria)

Abstract: Column and thin-layer chromatography were used to study the occurrence of various carotenoids in 17 lichen, species collected in the Upper Tracja Valley in Bulgaria. The following carotenoids were found: lycoxanthin, lycophyll, α-, β-carotene, rubixanthin, α-, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lutein epoxide, β-carotene epoxide, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, canthaxanthin, adonixanthin, α-doradexanthin, phoenicoxanthin, mutatochrome, mutato-xanthin, diatoxanthin and neoxanthin. The total carotenoid contents ranged from 5.737 ( Peltigera horizontalis ) to 63.659 µg g -1 dry weight ( Xanthoria perietina ).

Investigations on carotenoids in lichens. XXXII. Carotenoids occurring in the thalli of lichens from Kenya (Equatorial Africa)

Abstract: The presence of cartenoids in nineteen species of lichens from Kenya (Equatorial Africa) was studied by column and thinlayer chromatography. This investigations revealed the presence of the following carotenoids: neurosporene, α-carotene, β-carotene, rubixanthin, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, 3'-epilutein, torularhodin, diatoxanthin, neoxanthin, echinenone, 3'-hydroxyechinenone, canthaxanthin, α-doradexanthin, astaxanthin, β-carotene epoxide, antheraxanthin, lutein epoxide, violaxanthin, mutatoxanthin, flavoxanthin, capsochrome, β-apo-8'-carotenal, β-apo-10'-carotenal and apo-12'-violaxanthal. Five of these, torularhodin, 3'-hydroxyechinenone, capsochrome, β-apo-8'-carotenal and β-apo-10'-carotenal, are reported for the first time from lichens. The total carotenoid content of the material ranged from 15.88 (Pyxine cocoes) to 135.44 µg g-1 dry weight (Telaschistes chrysophthalmus).

The impact of increased soil risk elements on carotenoid contents

Abstract: A pot experiment was conducted to compare the responses of a non-transgenic tobacco plant (WT) and plants with genetically prolonged life-span (SAG) to risk elements of As, Cd and Zn. Plants were grown in control soil and in soil with higher levels of risk elements. The pigment contents were established by HPLC and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured from slow kinetics after a 15 min dark period with the PAM fluorometer. Top (i.e. young) leaves of both WT and SAG plants were more sensitive to photoinhibition caused by these risk elements but plants showed acclimation to such elements in the bottom leaves. Plants differed in the participation of individual pigments of xanthophyll cycle: increased levels of risk elements seem to stimulate especially first (violaxanthin to antheraxanthin) and second (anhtheraxanthin to zeaxanthin) steps of the cycle in WT plants. In SAG plants, toxic elements caused an increase in the content, particularly of the initial compound of the cycle — violaxanthin.

Investigations on carotenoids in Embryophyta. IV. The presence of apocarotenals in peatmosses

Abstract: By means of column and thin-layer chromatography, the author investigated tit presence of various carotenoids in stems of 3 species of the Sphagnum genus. Apocarotenals (β-apo-2', β-apo-10' -carotenal and apo-12' -violaxanthal) and the following carotenoids were found: α-, β-, ;-carotene, β-cryptoxantin, lutein, lutein epoxide, zeaxanthin, adonixanthin, antheroxanthin, rhodoxanthin, rubixanthin, neoxanthin, vio-laxanthin and mutatoxanthin. The total content of carotenoids ranged from 11.954 to 41.579 mg•g -1 dry weight.

Potential sources for lipid soluble food colorants from selected Malaysian traditional vegetables

Abstract: Colour is one important characteristic to food products as it dictates consumers’ first perception on the foods’ flavour and quality. In the current food industry, most of the colorants used were derived from synthetic sources. However, due to negative health impacts of the synthetic colorants, the urgency to find natural colorants and impose it to food products is of great importance. In this study, a group of plant pigments which are potentially introduced as natural food colorants were quantified from 24 species of local traditional vegetables (ulam), characterized as neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β- cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene by using HPLC. It was shown that Sauropus androgynus contained the highest amount of neoxanthin, violaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin at 142.40±3.57, 28.06±0.65 and 0.07±0.00 mg/g dry weight (DW), respectively. In contrast, highest content of lutein and α-carotene were observed in Centella asiatica at 16.53±0.97 and 2.14±0.12 mg/g DW, accordingly. Meanwhile, Piper sarmentosum contained the highest zeaxanthin level (123.45±12.3 mg/g DW) and Oenanthe javanica has the largest amount of β-carotene (3.09±0.06 mg/g DW). The extracted yellow-to-red lipid soluble pigments can be further developed into commercial food colorant to replace the synthetic colorants in the market thus improving social awareness towards natural products as well as strengthening the national economy.

Are Chlorophyll-Carotenoid Interactions Responsible for Rapidly Reversible Non-Photochemical Fluorescence Quenching?

Abstract: Photoprotective thermal energy dissipation (as assessed via non-photochemical quenching of singlet-excited chlorophyll a, NPQ) in plants is driven by various mechanisms occurring over different time scales. The rapid and reversible part of NPQ, also called qE (for energy-dependent quenching), was demonstrated to correlate with the twisting of a neoxanthin molecule in the light-harvesting antenna as observed by resonance Raman spectroscopy (Nature 450: 575–578, 2007). Interestingly, the extent of fluorescence quenching correlates with the change in Raman signal in different situations: during NPQ in vivo, during fluorescence quenching upon aggregation of LHCII (the major light-harvesting complex in plants), and in crystals of LHCII. In the same study, it was proposed that the quenching is caused by excitation energy transfer from chlorophyll a to lutein in LHCII after a structural change that correlates with the twisting of the neoxanthin. However, this view has been challenged by others for different reasons. Here we discuss the arguments in favor and against this mechanism. A short overview is given of the spectroscopic data on chlorophyll-carotenoid interactions in plant light-harvesting systems, the changes in interactions upon aggregation or crystallization, and the possible relationship to the mechanism of NPQ.

Dye binding type protein and production method thereof

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new dye binding type protein expected to be applied to a dye sensitizer used for artificial photosynthesis and a solar cell, and the likeSOLUTION: A dye binding type protein where a dye and a protein are bound to each other is characterized in that the dye is from siphonaxanthin, neoxanthin, siphonein, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b and the protein comprises three subunits where the molecular weight by SDS-PAGE is 27±1 kDa

Bioactive components of spinach and their effect on some patho physiological conditions: a review -

Abstract: Spinach is a commonly consumed leafy vegetable packed with micronutrients and phytochemicals. It has functional ingredients such as lutein, betaine, flavonoids, neoxanthin, galactolipids. Each of these has its own physiological significance. Studies have indicated that regular consumption of spinach substantially lowers the risk of age related macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness among adults. There is an inverse association between spinach consumption and cataract risk. Spinach leaf protein concentrate has a strong cholesterol lowering effect in rats. Age related changes on brain function can be delayed by long term consumption of spinach. It has high anti proliferative activity on cancer cells. However, people prone to oxalic acid stones are to reduce consumption of spinach. So quantityand frequency of spinach consumption can be increased.