scholarly journals Characterization of cassava ORANGE proteins and their capability to increase provitamin A carotenoids accumulation

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262412
Author(s):  
Angélica M. Jaramillo ◽  
Santiago Sierra ◽  
Paul Chavarriaga-Aguirre ◽  
Diana Katherine Castillo ◽  
Anestis Gkanogiannis ◽  
...  

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) biofortification with provitamin A carotenoids is an ongoing process that aims to alleviate vitamin A deficiency. The moderate content of provitamin A carotenoids achieved so far limits the contribution to providing adequate dietary vitamin A levels. Strategies to increase carotenoid content focused on genes from the carotenoids biosynthesis pathway. In recent years, special emphasis was given to ORANGE protein (OR), which promotes the accumulation of carotenoids and their stability in several plants. The aim of this work was to identify, characterize and investigate the role of OR in the biosynthesis and stabilization of carotenoids in cassava and its relationship with phytoene synthase (PSY), the rate-limiting enzyme of the carotenoids biosynthesis pathway. Gene and protein characterization of OR, expression levels, protein amounts and carotenoids levels were evaluated in roots of one white (60444) and two yellow cassava cultivars (GM5309-57 and GM3736-37). Four OR variants were found in yellow cassava roots. Although comparable expression was found for three variants, significantly higher OR protein amounts were observed in the yellow varieties. In contrast, cassava PSY1 expression was significantly higher in the yellow cultivars, but PSY protein amount did not vary. Furthermore, we evaluated whether expression of one of the variants, MeOR_X1, affected carotenoid accumulation in cassava Friable Embryogenic Callus (FEC). Overexpression of maize PSY1 alone resulted in carotenoids accumulation and induced crystal formation. Co-expression with MeOR_X1 led to greatly increase of carotenoids although PSY1 expression was high in the co-expressed FEC. Our data suggest that posttranslational mechanisms controlling OR and PSY protein stability contribute to higher carotenoid levels in yellow cassava. Moreover, we showed that cassava FEC can be used to study the efficiency of single and combinatorial gene expression in increasing the carotenoid content prior to its application for the generation of biofortified cassava with enhanced carotenoids levels.

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Nakhauka Ekesa ◽  
Judith Kimiywe ◽  
Inge Van den Bergh ◽  
Guy Blomme ◽  
Claudie Dhuique-Mayer ◽  
...  

<p>Changes in the concentrations and retention levels of total and individual provitamin A carotenoids (pVACs) during ripening and local processing of the four most popular <em>Musa</em> cultivars of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo were established through HPLC analysis. The predominant pVACs were all <em>trans</em> ?- and ?-carotene, together constituting about 90% of total pVACs content in raw and processed <em>Musa</em> fruit pulp. The proportion of ?- and ?-carotene was not significantly different in the tested East African Highland Bananas (AAA-EAHB) (‘Nshikazi’ and ‘Vulambya’); in the plantains (‘Musilongo’ and ‘Musheba’), proportion of ?-carotene was almost twice that of ?-carotene. An increase in total pVACs was observed during ripening, with highest levels at ripening stage 3 in all four cultivars. Total pVACs values were as high as 1081µg/100gfw in ‘Vulambya’ and 1819µg/100gfw in ‘Musilongo’. Boiling of the AAA-EAHB and AAB-Plantains resulted to retention of between 40-90% and &gt;95% respectively. Plantains deep-fried in fully-refined palm oil and crude red palm oil for 2 minutes did not seem to lose any pVACs, the levels of total pVACs observed after frying were 100% of what was observed when the fruit was raw. Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE), in boiled products varied between 22.3 and 173 RAEµg/100gfw, whereas deep fried products had &gt;190 RAEµg/100g edible portion. These results show that the tested AAA-EAHBs and the plantains could meet at least 14% and 30 % of Vitamin A recommended dietary intakes respectively. The findings can therefore guide consumer consumption patterns to maximize vitamin A intake for improved health in these regions and also direct researchers in the selection of <em>Musa</em> cultivars to be incorporated within existing farming systems in the fight against vitamin A deficiency (VAD).</p>


2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Howe ◽  
Bussie Maziya-Dixon ◽  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo

Efforts to increase β-carotene in cassava have been successful, but the ability of high-β-carotene cassava to prevent vitamin A deficiency has not been determined. Two studies investigated the bioefficacy of provitamin A in cassava and compared the effects of carotenoid content and variety on vitamin A status in vitamin A-depleted Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Gerbils were fed a vitamin A-free diet 4 weeks prior to treatment. In Expt 1, treatments (ten gerbils per group) included 45 % high-β-carotene cassava, β-carotene and vitamin A supplements (intake matched to high-β-carotene cassava group), and oil control. In Expt 2, gerbils were fed cassava feeds with 1·8 or 4·3 nmol provitamin A/g prepared with two varieties. Gerbils were killed after 4 weeks. For Expt 1, liver vitamin A was higher (P < 0·05) in the vitamin A (1·45 (sd 0·23) μmol/liver), lower in the control (0·43 (sd 0·10) μmol/liver), but did not differ from the β-carotene group (0·77 (sd 0·12) μmol/liver) when compared with the high-β-carotene cassava group (0·69 (sd 0·20) μmol/liver). The bioconversion factor was 3·7 μg β-carotene to 1 μg retinol (2 mol:1 mol), despite 48 % cis-β-carotene [(Z)-β-carotene] composition in cassava. In Expt 2, cassava feed with 4·3 nmol provitamin A/g maintained vitamin A status. No effect of cassava variety was observed. Serum retinol concentrations did not differ. β-Carotene was detected in livers of gerbils receiving cassava and supplements, but the cis-to-trans ratio in liver differed from intake. Biofortified cassava adequately maintained vitamin A status and was as efficacious as β-carotene supplementation in the gerbil model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Atinpoore Atuna ◽  
Matthew Atongbiik Achaglinkame ◽  
Trudy Abla Sitsofe Accorley ◽  
Francis Kweku Amagloh

Gari, a fermented granular cassava food product, continues to play a major role in the diets of West Africans. The white cassava commonly used for this product is devoid of provitamin A but may have a significant concentration of cyanogenic compounds. The physicochemical and functional properties of partial substitution of cassava with orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) to process gari were investigated. Two commonly consumed products “eba” and “soaked gari” were prepared from the various formulations and sensorially assessed. Cassava OFSP composite gari (77% cassava:23% OFSP, 75% cassava:25% OFSP, and 73% cassava:27% OFSP) did not significantly (p &gt; 0.05) influence the moisture content (3.39%−5.42%, p = 0.38), water absorption capacity (589–671 mL/g, p = 0.22), and swelling index (3.75–4.17, p = 0.08) compared with that of 100% cassava gari. Expectedly, increasing the levels of OFSP incorporation significantly (p &lt; 0.001) resulted in color change from white (L* = 83.99, a* = 0.93, b* = 16.35) to orange (L* = 69.26, a* = 7.74, b* = 28.62). For β-carotene, the 73% cassava:27% sample was ~5.2 times more than the level in 100% cassava gari. Also, it had lower residual cyanogenic compounds (0.37 vs. 1.71 mg/kg, p &lt; 0.001, measured as hydrogen cyanide) compared with cassava-only gari. The sensory scores by the 100 panelists using a five-point hedonic scale (1 = dislike extremely to 5 = like extremely) exceeded the minimum threshold (3) for acceptance. Within the limits of this study, OFSP can be composited with cassava up to 27% to process gari that has similar physicochemical properties and sensorial preference as that of cassava only. Furthermore, the OFSP-composited gari contains a significant amount of provitamin A and have a reduced residual cyanogenic compound. Thus, the composited gari could play a significant role in addressing vitamin A deficiency in Ghana compared to the 100% cassava only.


2010 ◽  
Vol 80 (45) ◽  
pp. 336-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo ◽  
Natalia Palacios ◽  
Kevin V. Pixley

Micronutrient malnutrition, or “hidden hunger,” afflicts a large part of the world’s population, with vitamin A deficiency among the most prevalent public health problems. Provitamin A carotenoids in plant foods are a source of vitamin A for humans; however, several factors, including species of carotenoids, host status, and effectors of absorption can negatively, positively, or in yet undetermined ways affect the bioavailability of these compounds. Staple foods biofortified with provitamin A carotenoids have shown more efficient bioconversion to retinol than generally observed for vegetables (e. g., 3 - 6 versus 10 - 80 beta-carotene to 1 µg retinol). Staple foods such as maize, rice, and cassava, are generally more accessible than meat or vegetable sources of retinol or provitamin A carotenoids to poor consumers, who are most likely to suffer micronutrient malnutrition. Interdisciplinary teamwork, including plant breeders, nutritionists, government and local agencies, seed companies, and communities, is needed to avail biofortified crops to needy populations. Key steps include developing, validating the nutritional effects of, providing nutrition education concerning, and promoting the use of biofortified crops. Provitamin A carotenoid biofortification of sweet potato, maize, cassava, and rice are at different stages along this continuum. Close linkages between agriculture, nutrition, and health, are essential in the quest to eradicate hunger among the poor.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1786
Author(s):  
Sophie Graßmann ◽  
Olga Pivovarova-Ramich ◽  
Andrea Henze ◽  
Jens Raila ◽  
Yaw Ampem Amoako ◽  
...  

In sub-Saharan Africa, vitamin A deficiency constitutes a severe health problem despite various supplementation and food fortification programs. Given that the intake of preformed vitamin A from animal products remains low in these countries, an efficient metabolization of plant-based provitamin A carotenoids is essential. Previously, adolescents in rural Ghana have shown high total plasma carotenoid concentrations, while 36% had a vitamin A deficiency (defined as plasma retinol < 0.7 µmol/L). Hence, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the relationships between variants in the β-carotene 15,15’-oxygenase (BCO1) gene and plasma carotenoid concentrations among 189 15-year-old girls and boys in rural Ghana. BCO1 rs6564851, rs7500996, rs10048138 and PKD1L2 rs6420424, and rs8044334 were typed, and carotenoid concentrations were compared among the different genotypes. G allele carriers of rs6564851 (53%) showed higher plasma carotenoid concentrations than T allele carriers (median (interquartile range): 3.07 (2.17–4.02) vs. 2.59 (2.21–3.50) µmol/L, p-value = 0.0424). This was not explained by differences in socio-demographic or dietary factors. In contrast, no differences in plasma retinol concentrations were observed between these genotypes. Pending verification in independent populations, the low conversion efficiency of provitamin A carotenoids among rs6564851 G allele carriers may undermine existing fortification and supplementation programs to improve the vitamin A status in sub-Saharan Africa.


2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1863-1869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Cong Khan ◽  
Phan Van Huan ◽  
Nguyen Van Nhien ◽  
Le Danh Tuyen ◽  
Saskia de Pee ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize the relationship between serum carotenoids, retinol and anaemia among pre-school children.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted in two groups: anaemic and non-anaemic. Serum levels of retinol, α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin were measured in the study subjects.SettingSix rural communes of Dinh Hoa, a rural and mountainous district in Thai Nguyen Province, in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam.SubjectsA total of 682 pre-school children, aged 12–72 months, were recruited.ResultsGeometric mean serum concentrations of carotenoids (μmol/l) were 0·056 for α-carotene, 0·161 for β-carotene, 0·145 for β-cryptoxanthin, 0·078 for lycopene, 0·388 for lutein and 0·075 for zeaxanthin. The mean levels of Hb and serum retinol were 108·8 g/l and 1·02 μmol/l, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia and vitamin A deficiency was 53·7 % and 7·8 %, respectively. After adjusting for sex and stunting, serum retinol concentrations (μmol/l; OR = 2·06, 95 % CI 1·10, 3·86, P = 0·024) and total provitamin A carotenoids (μmol/l; OR = 1·52, 95 % CI 1·01, 2·28, P = 0·046) were independently associated with anaemia, but non-provitamin A carotenoids (μmol/l; OR = 0·93, 95 % CI 0·63, 1·37, P = 0·710) were not associated with anaemia.ConclusionsAmong pre-school children in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, the prevalences of vitamin A deficiency and anaemia are high, and serum retinol and provitamin A carotenoids are independently associated with anaemia. Further studies are needed to determine if increased consumption of provitamin A carotenoids will reduce anaemia among pre-school children.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Gisèle A. Koua ◽  
Sébastien Niamké

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a public health problem in developing countries. Consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) varieties has been proven to be a valuable strategy for VAD alleviation. In this work, OFSP flour was incorporated into wheat flour at 15, 25, 35, and 50% (w/w) and used to prepare baked products. The bioaccessibility of provitamin A carotenoids of OFSP baking products was performed according to an in vitro digestion model. The contribution of OFSP-wheat composite baking products to vitamin A requirements was evaluated. Relatively high amounts (98.70&plusmn;2.17-144.42&plusmn;1.31 &mu;g/g DM) of total carotenoids in OFSP flours was reported in Kakamega-7-Irene, Kabode, and Covington cultivars. The recovery of provitamin A carotenoid in baking products containing 15, 25, 35, and 50% OFSP flour was 1031.04&plusmn;6.36-3364.21&plusmn;10.22 &mu;g/100 g for cupcakes and 1009.19&plusmn;10.38-4640.72&plusmn;13.43 &mu;g/100 g for cookies, respectively. The in vitro bioaccessibility of provitamin A carotenoids of OFSP composite cupcake ranged from 12.53 to 27.21% while that of OFSP composite cookies was significantly different (p ˂ 0.05) and ranged from 15.99 to 27.84%. The results also showed that cupcake and cookies containing 35% and 50% OFSP flours could be used to fight vitamin A deficiency in C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Ivoire as they were found to meet 50 and more than 100% (161% for 100 g portion) of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin A for children aged 3-10 years. Finally, our results may support adoption of OFSP varieties in order to decrease the risk of vitamin A deficiency in C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Ivoire.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document