Association between carotenoid intake and periodontitis in diabetic patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary carotenoid intake and periodontitis in diabetic patients. Data on diabetic patients were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014 for this cross-sectional study. Dietary intake of carotenoids was assessed through the first 24-hour dietary recall interview. Full-mouth periodontal examinations were conducted by trained dental examiners. Subgroup analysis was conducted in terms of age, gender, the number of missing teeth, cardiovascular disease, smoking, and anti-diabetic drugs. Totally 1914 diabetic patients were included, with 1281 (66.93%) in the periodontitis group. After adjusting for age, gender, race, education, smoking, dental implants, hepatitis, and the number of missing teeth, α-carotene intake ≥55.82 mcg was associated with lower odds of periodontitis than α-carotene intake <55.82 mcg [OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.53-0.91, P = 0.010]; lutein and zeaxanthin intake ≥795.95 mcg was associated with decreased odds of periodontitis than lutein and zeaxanthin intake <795.95 mcg (OR = 0.75, 95%CI: 0.57-0.98, P = 0.039). The association between carotenoid intake and periodontitis varied across different subpopulations. In diabetes, dietary intake of α-carotene and lutein and zeaxanthin was inversely associated with the odds of periodontitis, which may facilitate clinical periodontitis management.

Valorization of Nannochloropsis oceanica for integrated co-production of violaxanthin cycle carotenoids.

The development of integrated co-production of multiple high-purity carotenoids from microalgal cells holds considerable significance for the valorization of microalgae. In this study, the economical microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica was identified as an accumulator of violaxanthin cycle carotenoids, including violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Notably, a novel and competent approach for the integrated co-production of violaxanthin cycle carotenoids was explored, encompassing four steps: microalgal cultivation, solvent extraction, octadecylsilyl open-column chromatography, and ethanol precipitation. Under optimal co-production conditions, the purities of the obtained violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and zeaxanthin all exceeded 92%, with total recovery rates of approximately 51%, 40%, and 60%, respectively. Utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, the purified violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and zeaxanthin were identified as all-trans-violaxanthin, all-trans-antheraxanthin, and all-trans-zeaxanthin, respectively. This method held significance for the multiproduct biorefinery of the microalga N. oceanica and carried potential future implications for the violaxanthin cycle carotenoids.

Zeaxanthin impairs angiogenesis and tumor growth of glioblastoma: An in vitro and in vivo study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Zeaxanthin (Zea), one of the oxidized xanthophyll carotenoids belonging to the isoprenoids, on inhibiting the angiogenesis and tumor growth of glioblastoma (GBM) via an in vitro and in vivo study. METHODS: The effects of Zea on the proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion of human GBM cell lines were detected by cell proliferation assay, cell adhesion assay and Transwell assay. The effect of Zea on angiogenesis was detected by rat aortic ring assay and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro tube formation assay. The effects of Zea on PARP, Caspase 3 and VEGFR2 phosphorylation as well as VEGFR2's downstream signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. The in vivo human GBM xenograft mouse model was employed to study the therapeutic efficacy of Zea. RESULTS: Zea impaired the proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion of U87 and U251 cells as well as HUVECs. Rat aortic ring experiments displayed Zea significantly inhibited angiogenesis during VEGF-induced microvascular germination. In vitro and in vivo vascular experiments verified that Zea inhibited VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation and capillary-like tube formation. Additionally, Zea induced GBM cells apoptosis via increasing the expression of cleaved PARP and Caspase 3. In HUVECs and U251 GBM cells, Zea down-regulated VEGF-induced activation of the VEGFR2 kinase pathway. Meanwhile the expression of p-AKT, p-ERK, p-STAT3 and FAK were all attenuated in U251 cells. Moreover, the effects of Zea on GBM cells proliferation could be blocked by VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor SU5408. These results suggest that Zea may hinder GBM angiogenesis and tumor growth through down-regulating a cascade of oncogenic signaling pathways, both through the inhibition of angiogenesis and the anti-tumor mechanism of a direct cytotoxic effect. Besides, Zea inhibits GBM angiogenesis and tumor growth exemplified through a xenograft mouse model in vivo. CONCLUSION: Zea impairs angiogenesis and tumor growth of GBM both in vitro and in vivo. It can be declared that Zea is a potential valuable anticancer candidate for the future treatment strategy of GBM.

Association between carotenoids and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies mainly concentrated on examining the correlation between single carotenoids and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, these findings have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate both the individual and overall associations of carotenoids with the prevalence of COPD. METHODS: This study comprised 2,939 participants chosen from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018. The logistic regression, quantile-based G-computation regression (qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were employed to explore the association between carotenoids and the prevalence of COPD. Mediation analyses were also conducted to explore the underlying mechanism of carotenoids on COPD. RESULTS: Individuals diagnosed with COPD had significantly lower serum carotenoid concentrations than those without COPD. We found a negative relationship between combined carotenoids and the prevalence of COPD, and lutein and zeaxanthin and alpha cryptoxanthin were identified as the main contributors to this negative association. Moreover, eosinophil acted as a mediator in the relationship between lutein and zeaxanthin, alpha cryptoxanthin, and the prevalence of COPD, with mediating proportions of 2.75 % and 3.67 %. CONCLUSION: A negative association was observed between combined carotenoids and COPD prevalence, with lutein and zeaxanthin, and alpha cryptoxanthin identified as the main contributors. Eosinophils could potentially mediate the association between carotenoids and COPD.

Combined high light and salt stress enhances accumulation of PsbS and zeaxanthin in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

The performance and acclimation strategies of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under stress conditions are typically studied in response to single stress factors. Under natural conditions, however, organisms rarely face only one stressor at a time. Here, we investigated the impact of combined salt and high light stress on the photoprotective response of C. reinhardtii. Compared to the single stress factors, the combination of both stressors decreased the photosynthetic performance, while the activation of energy dissipation remained unaffected. However, the PsbS protein was strongly accumulated and the conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin was enhanced. These results support an important photoprotective function of PsbS and zeaxanthin independently of energy dissipation under combined salt and high light stress in C. reinhardtii.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Improves Dynamic Visual and Cognitive Performance in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION: Supplementation with dietary neuro-pigments lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) has been shown to improve many aspects of visual and cognitive function in adults. In this study, we tested whether a similar intervention could improve such outcomes in preadolescent children. METHODS: Sixty children (age range 5-12 years) were randomized in a 2:1 ratio in this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Subjects were supplemented with gummies containing either a combination of 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin (LZ) or placebo for 180 days. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was the primary endpoint. The secondary endpoints included serum levels of L and Z, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), critical flicker fusion (CFF), eye strain and fatigue using visual analogue scales (VAS), Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire-Abbreviated (CSHQ-A), and Creyos Health cognitive domains like attention, focus/concentration, episodic memory and learning, visuospatial working memory, and visuospatial processing speed. Safety was assessed throughout the study on the basis of physical examination, vital signs, clinical laboratory tests, and monitoring of adverse events. RESULTS: The LZ group showed significant increases in MPOD at all visits post-supplementation, with significant increases as early as day 42 compared to placebo. The LZ group showed significant increases in serum lutein levels, reduced eye strain and fatigue, and improved cognitive performance (focus, episodic memory and learning, visuospatial working memory) at days 90 and 180 compared to placebo. Further, the LZ group showed significant increases in processing speed (CFF), attention, visuospatial processing, and serum Z and BDNF levels on day 180 compared to placebo. No safety concerns were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementing LZ resulted in increased MPOD levels, along with increased serum levels of L, Z, and BDNF. These changes were associated with improved visual and cognitive performances and reduction in eye strain and eye fatigue in the children receiving LZ gummies. The investigational product was safe and well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://ctri.nic.in/ Identifier CTRI/2022/05/042364.

Deep learning-based correction of cataract-induced influence on macular pigment optical density measurement by autofluorescence spectroscopy.

PURPOSE: Measurements of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) using the autofluorescence spectroscopy yield underestimations of actual values in eyes with cataracts. Previously, we proposed a correction method for this error using deep learning (DL); however, the correction performance was validated through internal cross-validation. This cross-sectional study aimed to validate this approach using an external validation dataset. METHODS: MPODs at 0.25°, 0.5°, 1°, and 2° eccentricities and macular pigment optical volume (MPOV) within 9° eccentricity were measured using SPECTRALIS (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) in 197 (training dataset inherited from our previous study) and 157 eyes (validating dataset) before and after cataract surgery. A DL model was trained to predict the corrected value from the pre-operative value using the training dataset, and we measured the discrepancy between the corrected value and the actual postoperative value. Subsequently, the prediction performance was validated using a validation dataset. RESULTS: Using the validation dataset, the mean absolute values of errors for MPOD and MPOV corrected using DL ranged from 8.2 to 12.4%, which were lower than values with no correction (P < 0.001, linear mixed model with Tukey's test). The error depended on the autofluorescence image quality used to calculate MPOD. The mean errors in high and moderate quality images ranged from 6.0 to 11.4%, which were lower than those of poor quality images. CONCLUSION: The usefulness of the DL correction method was validated. Deep learning reduced the error for a relatively good autofluorescence image quality. Poor-quality images were not corrected.

Association between dietary carotenoid intakes and abdominal aortic calcification in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is an important marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study aims to explore the association between carotenoid intakes and AAC. METHODS: We included 2889 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Dietary carotenoid intakes were obtained through 24-h dietary recall interviews. Severe AAC was defined as a Kauppila score > 5. The main analysis utilizes logistic and restricted cubic spline models. RESULT: Severe AAC was detected in 378 (13.08%) participants. In fully adjusted models, the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin and total carotenoid intakes for individuals with severe AAC were 0.53 (0.23-0.77), 0.39 (0.19-0.80), 0.18 (0.05-0.62), 0.40 (0.20-0.78), 0.53 (0.32-0.88) and 0.38 (0.18-0.77) in the highest versus lowest quartile intake, respectively. Dose-response analyses revealed that all of the carotenoids were associated with decreased risk of severe AAC in a nonlinear trend. Total carotenoid intakes of at least 100ug/kg/day were associated with decreased odds for severe AAC. CONCLUSION: α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin and total carotenoids were inversely associated with the risk of severe AAC in adults.

Leaky mutations in the zeaxanthin epoxidase in Capsicum annuum result in bright-red fruit containing a high amount of zeaxanthin.

Fruit color is one of the most important traits in peppers due to its esthetic value and nutritional benefits and is determined by carotenoid composition, resulting from diverse mutations of carotenoid biosynthetic genes. The EMS204 line, derived from an EMS mutant population, presents bright-red color, compared with the wild type Yuwolcho cultivar. HPLC analysis indicates that EMS204 fruit contains more zeaxanthin and less capsanthin and capsorubin than Yuwolcho. MutMap was used to reveal the color variation of EMS204 using an F3 population derived from a cross of EMS204 and Yuwolcho, and the locus was mapped to a 2.5-Mbp region on chromosome 2. Among the genes in the region, a missense mutation was found in ZEP (zeaxanthin epoxidase) that results in an amino acid sequence alteration (V291 → I). A color complementation experiment with Escherichia coli and ZEP in vitro assay using thylakoid membranes revealed decreased enzymatic activity of EMS204 ZEP. Analysis of endogenous plant hormones revealed a significant reduction in abscisic acid content in EMS204. Germination assays and salinity stress experiments corroborated the lower ABA levels in the seeds. Virus-induced gene silencing showed that ZEP silencing also results in bright-red fruit containing less capsanthin but more zeaxanthin than control. A germplasm survey of red color accessions revealed no similar carotenoid profiles to EMS204. However, a breeding line containing a ZEP mutation showed a very similar carotenoid profile to EMS204. Our results provide a novel breeding strategy to develop red pepper cultivars containing high zeaxanthin contents using ZEP mutations.

The role of carotenoids in bone health-A narrative review.

Osteoporosis constitutes a serious challenge for public health. Dietary patterns belong to important, modifiable risk factors of this disease. Therefore, what and in what quantities we consume on a daily basis are extremely relevant. It is commonly known that bone health is positively affected by vitamins (e.g., vitamin D and vitamin K) as well as mineral components (e.g., calcium and magnesium). However, the human diet consists of many other groups of compounds that exhibit a potential antiosteoporotic and supporting bone-building effect. These dietary components include carotenoids. This paper presents a broad review of studies on the influence of particular carotenoids (ß-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, ß-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene) on bones. The paper discusses up-to-date in vitro experiments and research on animal models and presents how the results translate into clinical effect in humans.

Carotenoid degradation rate in milled grain of dent maize hybrids and its relationship with the grain physicochemical properties.

Carotenoids in maize grain degrade during storage, but the relationship between their stability and the physicochemical properties of the grain is unclear. Therefore, the carotenoid degradation rate in milled grain of three dent hybrids differing in grain hardness was evaluated at various temperatures (-20, 4 and 22 °C). The carotenoid degradation rate was calculated using first-order kinetics based on the content in the samples after 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 90 days of storage and related to the physicochemical properties of the grain. The highest grain hardness was found in the hybrid with the highest zein and endosperm lipid concentration, while the lowest grain hardness was found in the hybrid with the highest amylose content and the specific surface area of starch granule (SSA). As expected, carotenoids in milled maize grain were most stable at -20 °C, followed by storage at 4 and 22 °C. Tested hybrids differed in the degradation rate of zeaxanthin, α-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene, and these responses were also temperature-dependent. In contrast, all hybrids showed similar degradation rate for lutein and ß-cryptoxanthin regardless of the storage temperature. Averaged over the hybrids, the degradation rate for individual carotenoids ranked as follows: lutein < zeaxanthin < α-cryptoxanthin < ß-cryptoxanthin < ß-carotene. The lower degradation rate for most carotenoids was mainly associated with a higher content of zein and specific endosperm lipids, with the exception of zeaxanthin, which showed an opposite pattern of response. Degradation rate for lutein and zeaxanthin negatively correlated with SSA, but interestingly, small starch granules were positively associated with higher degradation rate for mostcarotenoids. Dent-type hybrids may differ significantly in carotenoid degradation rate, which was associated with specific physicochemical properties of the maize grain.

Complete microbial synthesis of crocetin and crocins from glycerol in Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Crocin, a glycosylated apocarotenoid pigment predominantly found in saffron, has garnered significant interest in the field of biotechnology for its bioactive properties. Traditional production of crocins and their aglycone, crocetin, typically involves extraction from crocin-producing plants. This study aimed to develop an alternative biosynthetic method for these compounds by engineering the metabolic pathways of zeaxanthin, crocetin, and crocin in Escherichia coli strains. RESULTS: Employing a series of genetic modifications and the strategic overexpression of key enzymes, we successfully established a complete microbial pathway for synthesizing crocetin and four glycosylated derivatives of crocetin, utilizing glycerol as the primary carbon source. The overexpression of zeaxanthin cleavage dioxygenase and a novel variant of crocetin dialdehyde dehydrogenase resulted in a notable yield of crocetin (34.77 ± 1.03 mg/L). Further optimization involved the overexpression of new types of crocetin and crocin-2 glycosyltransferases, facilitating the production of crocin-1 (6.29 ± 0.19 mg/L), crocin-2 (5.29 ± 0.24 mg/L), crocin-3 (1.48 ± 0.10 mg/L), and crocin-4 (2.72 ± 0.13 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation introduces a pioneering and integrated microbial synthesis method for generating crocin and its derivatives, employing glycerol as a sustainable carbon feedstock. The substantial yields achieved highlight the commercial potential of microbial-derived crocins as an eco-friendly alternative to plant extraction methods. The development of these microbial processes not only broadens the scope for crocin production but also suggests significant implications for the exploitation of bioengineered compounds in pharmaceutical and food industries.

Study protocol for a 15-week randomised controlled trial assessing the independent effects of high-cholesterol and high-saturated fat diets on LDL cholesterol.

INTRODUCTION: Previous research has associated high dietary cholesterol intake with raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and thus increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Emerging research suggests that it is saturated fat, not dietary cholesterol, associated with increased CVD risk. Despite being high in cholesterol, eggs, low in saturated fat, are not adversely associated with blood lipids or CVD risk. This paper describes a randomised controlled counter-balanced, cross-over trial assessing the effects of a high-cholesterol/low-saturated fat (egg) diet and a low-cholesterol/high-saturated fat diet (egg free) on blood lipids and lipoproteins, while accounting for physical activity levels which can also influence these parameters. The primary aim is to demonstrate that high cholesterol intake (from eggs) within a healthy, low-saturated fat diet does not adversely affect blood lipid levels and lipoprotein profiles. Instead, we propose that adverse effects on these parameters are mediated by saturated fat intake. The secondary aim is to explore relationships between changes in blood lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations and alterations in physical activity, examining whether changes in physical activity mediate effects on blood lipids and lipoproteins. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Fifty-two adults aged 18-60 years with LDL-C less than 3.5 mmol/L will be randomly allocated to three isocaloric diets for 5 weeks each: a high-cholesterol (600 mg)/low-saturated fat (6%) (egg) diet, a low-cholesterol (300 mg)/high-saturated fat (12%) (egg free) diet and a control diet that is high in both cholesterol (600 mg) and saturated fat (12%). Lipid and lipoprotein levels, lipoprotein size and concentrations, blood pressure, blood glucose, physical activity levels, and plasma lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations will be measured. Treatment effects will be analysed using linear mixed effects models. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was obtained from the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee no. 204 327. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and national and international presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05267522.

Newly developed dietary assessment tools for lutein and zeaxanthin are correlated with 24-hour diet recalls, but are not a valid measure of intake in Australian and United Kingdom adults.

Habitual dietary intake measurement of carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) has often been omitted or attempted with tools of unknown validity in past research. It was hypothesized that the dietary assessment tool, the L/Z screener, developed as part of this study, would be valid with agreement within 0.25 mg/day when compared against multiple 24-hour diet recalls in healthy Australian and United Kingdom adults. Two screeners with 91 food items were developed, 1 with a recall timeframe of a month and the other a week. Over 4 weeks, 56 Australian and 47 United Kingdom participants completed 4 weekly screeners, 2 monthly screeners, and eight 24-hour diet recalls. Validity was assessed through Bland-Altman plot analysis. L/Z intake measured by all tools was significantly correlated, with correlation coefficients from 0.58 to 0.83. Despite these correlations, the screeners were not valid, with poor Bland-Altman plot agreement when compared with the diet recalls. The Australian weekly screener performed best, demonstrating a mean difference of 0.51 mg/day and 95% limits of agreement between -1.46 mg/day and 2.49 mg/day of L/Z intake. Baby spinach, broccoli, and pumpkin provided the greatest proportion of L/Z intake. The low validity may be explained by high rates of misestimation or missed capture of moderate to high L/Z containing foods such as baby spinach. Prior research reliant on correlational statistics for L/Z tool validity should be interpreted with caution, and future screener development should prioritize accurate capture of high contribution foods.

Maternal Lutein Intake during Pregnancies with or without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Cognitive Development of Children at 2 Years of Age: A Prospective Observational Study.

Lutein and its isomer zeaxanthin serve as antioxidants and preserve cognitive function during aging. However, whether lutein/zeaxanthin (L + Z) exposure early in life improves cognitive development of children is rarely explored. It is also unknown whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), characterized by heightened oxidative stress, affects lutein metabolism. This prospective longitudinal cohort study examined the differences in L + Z intake and metabolism, as well as the association between maternal L + Z intake and children's cognitive development in GDM versus non-GDM pregnancies. Seventy-six pregnant women (n = 40 with GDM) were recruited between 25 and 33 weeks of gestation and dietary intakes were recorded. At delivery, cord blood was collected, and 2 years later, the Bayley III developmental test was conducted on a subset of children (n = 38). The results suggest that GDM reduced cord blood lutein levels at birth; L + Z intake during pregnancy was associated with better cognitive (ß = 0.003, p = 0.001) and language (ß = 0.002, p = 0.038) scoring of children at 2 years regardless of GDM status. In conclusion, maternal L + Z intake was positively associated with children's developmental scores, regardless of GDM. More studies are needed to confirm such associations.

Exploratory 5-year follow-up study of retinol, tocopherols, and carotenoids in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Retinol, tocopherols, and carotenoids (RTC) have physiological roles as vitamins, pro-vitamins, and antioxidants, and provide biomarkers of dietary vegetable and fruit intake. The goal was to investigate RTC in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: This exploratory study included 106 people with MS (71 relapsing-remitting MS or RR-MS; and 35 progressive MS or PMS) and 31 healthy controls (HC) at baseline and 5-year follow-up (5YFU). Serum retinol, α-carotene, ß-carotene, α-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels were measured using the single molecule array method. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and low contrast letter acuity (LCLA) were used as disability measures. RESULTS: Retinol in MS was positively correlated with α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and α-tocopherol but negatively correlated with δ-tocopherol. EDSS was associated with α-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, and lycopene. Greater retinol levels were associated with greater LCLA in RR-MS and PMS; high contrast visual acuity was not associated. Greater γ-tocopherol levels were associated with lower LCLA and high contrast visual acuity in PMS. CONCLUSIONS: RTC exhibit distinctive associations with LCLA and EDSS in MS.

An in-depth investigation of molecular interaction in zeaxanthin/corn silk glycan complexes and its positive role in hypoglycemic activity.

Glycans in corn silk could interact with co-existing small molecules during its absorption, digestion, and biological process. In order to understand the exact mechanism of action of zeaxanthin, it is critical to investigate the biomolecular interactions, which were necessary to form a glycan-small molecule complex and yet produce the bioactive effect. So far, the in-depth study of these natural interactions has not been fully elucidated. Here, we probed that the molecular interaction between zeaxanthin (ZEA) and glycans from corn silk (CSGs) was driven by enthalpy. More importantly, it was the first time found that CSGs can bind to lipid-soluble ZEA could be binded with CSGs. It was the first report on the thermostability of insulin structure and natural glycans. This study should facilitate our understanding of the interaction between lipid soluble molecules and glycans, and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the nutrient base in food.

Exploring engineered vesiculation by Pseudomonas putida KT2440 for natural product biosynthesis.

Pseudomonas species have become promising cell factories for the production of natural products due to their inherent robustness. Although these bacteria have naturally evolved strategies to cope with different kinds of stress, many biotechnological applications benefit from engineering of optimised chassis strains with specially adapted tolerance traits. Here, we explored the formation of outer membrane vesicles (OMV) of Pseudomonas putida KT2440. We found OMV production to correlate with the recombinant production of a natural compound with versatile beneficial properties, the tripyrrole prodigiosin. Further, several P. putida genes were identified, whose up- or down-regulated expression allowed controlling OMV formation. Finally, genetically triggering vesiculation in production strains of the different alkaloids prodigiosin, violacein, and phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, as well as the carotenoid zeaxanthin, resulted in up to three-fold increased product yields. Consequently, our findings suggest that the construction of robust strains by genetic manipulation of OMV formation might be developed into a useful tool which may contribute to improving limited biotechnological applications.

Association of dietary carotenoid intake with the prevalence kidney stones among the general adult population.

PURPOSE: This study was to examine whether higher dietary carotenoid intake levels were associated with a lower prevalence of kidney stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed data from 2007 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) project. Dietary carotenoid intake (α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin) was assessed using two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Multiple logistic regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were applied to examine the associations between five dietary carotenoids alone, compounds, and the prevalence of kidney stones. The dose-response relationships were analyzed by restricted cubic spline regression. RESULTS: A total of 30,444 adults (2909 participants with kidney stones) were included in the analysis. The mean age of the participants was 49.95 years and 49.2% of the participants were male. Compared with the first quartile, the fourth quartile of α-carotene (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82 [0.73-0.92]), ß-carotene (OR = 0.79 [0.70-0.89]), ß-cryptoxanthin (OR = 0.88 [0.79-0.99]), and lutein/zeaxanthin (OR = 0.80 [0.71-0.91]) were significantly and inversely associated with the prevalence of kidney stones after adjusting for confounders. The dose-response analysis showed a linear relationship between five dietary carotenoid intake levels and the prevalence of kidney stones. Further WQS analysis revealed that the combination of all five dietary carotenoids was negatively associated with and the prevalence of kidney stones, with the largest effect coming from ß-carotene (weight = 0.538). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that higher dietary carotenoid intake levels were associated with decreased prevalence of kidney stones, and increasing the intake of foods rich in ß-carotene may prevent the development of kidney stones.

Regulation of carotenoid metabolism and ABA biosynthesis during blueberry fruit ripening.

Carotenoids and their derivates play critical physiologic roles in plants. However, these substrates and their metabolism have not been elucidated in fruit of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). In this study, carotenoids and ABA were investigated by LC-MS and their biosynthesis were subject to proteomic analysis during fruit ripening. Activity of CCD1 and NCED1/3 were studied in vivo or in vitro. Also, effects of ethephon and 1-MCP on biosynthesis of carotenoid and ABA were investigated through the expression of corresponding genes using qPCR. As a result, carotenoid biosynthesis was prominently mitigated whereas its metabolism was enhanced during fruit ripening, which resulted in a decrease in the carotenoids. VcCCD1 could both cleave ß-carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein at positions of 9, 10 (9', 10'), which was mainly responsible for the degradation of these carotenoids. Interestingly, in the situation of mitigation of carotenoid biosynthesis, ABA still rapidly accumulated, which was mainly attributed to the upregulated expression of VcNCED1/3. Notably, VcNCED1/3 also showed a cleavage activity of all-trans-zeaxanthin and a stereospecific cleavage activity of 9-cis-carotene to generate C15-carotenal. The C15-carotenal could be potentially converted to ABA through ZEP-independent ABA biosynthetic pathway during blueberry fruit ripening. Similar to a nature natural maturation, ethylene accelerated the carotenoid degradation and ABA biosynthesis trough downregulating the expression of genes in carotenoid biosynthesis and upregulating the expression of genes in ABA biosynthesis. These information help understand the regulation of carotenoids and ABA, and effects of ethylene on the regulation during blueberry fruit ripening.