Simultaneous Dissection of Grain Carotenoid Levels and Kernel Color in Biparental Maize Populations with Yellow-to-Orange Grain

ABSTRACT Maize enriched in provitamin A carotenoids could be key in combatting vitamin A deficiency in human populations relying on maize as a food staple. Consumer studies indicate that orange maize may be regarded as novel and preferred. This study identifies genes of relevance for grain carotenoid concentrations and kernel color, through simultaneous dissection of these traits in 10 families of the U.S. maize nested association mapping panel that have yellow to orange grain. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified via joint-linkage analysis, with phenotypic variation explained for individual kernel color QTL ranging from 2.4 to 17.5%. These QTL were cross-analyzed with significant marker-trait associations in a genome-wide association study that utilized ∼27 million variants. Nine genes were identified: four encoding activities upstream of the core carotenoid pathway, one at the pathway branchpoint, three within the α- or β-pathway branches, and one encoding a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase. Of these, three exhibited significant pleiotropy between kernel color and one or more carotenoid traits. Kernel color exhibited moderate positive correlations with β-branch and total carotenoids and negligible correlations with α-branch carotenoids. These findings can be leveraged to simultaneously achieve desirable kernel color phenotypes and increase concentrations of provitamin A and other priority carotenoids.

Technological, Sensory, and Hypoglycemic Effects of Quinoa Flour Incorporation into Biscuits

Background. Biscuits are consumed by all of society in the world. Incorporation of different ratios of quinoa flour into wheat flour for the production of biscuits is needed for the production of functional foods. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the incorporation of 12.5% or 25% quinoa flour into biscuit production, evaluate rheological and sensory characteristics, and investigate the effect of the consumption of 20% cooked biscuits on diabetic rats. Design. The gross chemical composition, total carotenoids, phenolic and flavonoids of wheat flour and quinoa flour, and the rheological properties of the control, 12.5% quinoa, and 25% quinoa biscuit dough were determined. The effects of consumption of 12.5% quinoa and 25% quinoa biscuits on diabetic rats were investigated. Results. Quinoa flour had significantly higher levels of the gross chemical composition except for carbohydrate and increased phenolic compound and flavonoids content than those in wheat flour. Increasing the amount of quinoa flour in the biscuits could increase the farinograph and extensograph values of the dough. Biological results showed that the highest improvement in nutritional values appeared in the diabetic rat group, which consumed 25% quinoa biscuit for 60 days. The consumption of 12.5% quinoa biscuit and 25% quinoa biscuit showed a decline in blood glycosylated hemoglobin and glucose and an elevation in insulin levels compared with the positive control diabetic rat group. Discussion and Conclusion. It is encouraging to replace wheat flour with quinoa flour in biscuit manufacturing owing to positive effects on both the technological properties and sensory evaluation of biscuits. The increase of quinoa flour up to 25% had favorable nutritional values and hypoglycemic effects.

Kandungan karotenoid, antioksidan, dan kadar air dua varietas cabai rawit pada tingkat kematangan berbeda dan deteksi non-destruktif

Cabe rawit umumnya berwarna hijau, jingga dan merah. Tiap tingkat kematangan memiliki kualitas yang berbeda. Teknologi non-destruktif visible/near infrared spectroscopy (Vis/NIRS) telah banyak digunakan untuk memprediksi kualitas secara cepat dan akurat serta tidak merusak. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui kandungan kadar air, total karotenoid dan antioksidan dua varietas buah cabai rawit dengan tingkat kematangan berbeda dan memprediksi kualitas secara non-destruktif menggunakan Vis/NIRS. Penelitian dilakukan di Laboratorium Hortikultura, Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Padjadjaran. Penelitian disusun dalam rancangan acak lengkap (RAL) dengan 6 perlakuan yaitu varietas ‘Manik’ dan ‘Domba’, yang dipanen pada 20 hari setelah bunga mekar (HSBM), 40 HSBM dan 60 HSBM, serta diulang 5 kali. Data dianalisis dengan analisis varians (ANOVA). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa varietas ‘Manik’ and ‘Domba’ yang dipanen pada 20 HSBM memiliki kandungan kadar air dan antioksidan tertinggi sedangkan total karotenoid meningkat pada buah matang. Model kalibrasi dan uji validasi silang kadar air, total karotenoid, dan antioksidan mendapatkan nilai Rkal ≥ 0,87 dan Rval ≥ 0,84. Berdasarkan hasil tersebut, maka kandungan air dan antioksidan terbesar yaitu buah cabai rawit hijau sedangkan total karotenoid tertinggi pada buah cabai rawit merah. Vis/NIRS dapat digunakan untuk mendeteksi kandungan air, total karotenoid dan antioksidan pada buah cabai rawit. Generally, cayenne pepper is coloring in green, orange, and red. Each maturity level has a different quality. A non-destructive technology, visible/near infrared spectroscopy (Vis/NIRS), has been widely used to predict the quality quickly and accurately without causing damage. The study aimed to determine water content, total carotenoids, and antioxidant of two varieties cayenne pepper with different maturity levels and to predict quality non-destructively using Vis/NIRS. The research was conducted at the Horticulture Laboratory, Agriculture Faculty, Universitas Padjadjaran. The research was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 6 treatments, namely ‘Manik’ and ‘Domba’ varieties harvested at 20 days after flowering (DAF), 40 DAF and 60 DAF, and 5 replications with analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that ‘Manik’ and ‘Domba’ harvested at 20 DAF had the highest water content and antioxidant while the total carotenoids increased in ripe fruit. The calibration model and cross-validation of water content, total carotenoids, and antioxidants obtained values of Rcal 0.87 and Rval 0.84. Based on these results, the highest water and antioxidant content was green cayenne pepper, while the highest total carotenoids were in red cayenne pepper. Vis/NIRS can be used to detect water content, total carotenoids, and antioxidants in cayenne pepper.

Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of carotenoids from Citrus clementina peels

Background: Citrus fruits, especially clementines, are among the most consumed fruits in the world. Clementine consists of pulp (endocarp) and peel (epicarp) which are rich in carotenoids. After using fruit pulp, peels are usually discarded as waste; the valorization of the latter in the recovery of its beneficial components, mainly carotenoids, may seem to be important. Objective: The main objective of this study is to determine the optimal conditions allowing the extraction of a high carotenoids yield from clementine peels. Methods: The microwave-assisted extraction method (MAE) was applied for extraction of total carotenoids from Citrus clementina peels, and the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the influence of extraction parameters, including hexane concentration, microwave power, irradiation time, and solvent to solid ratio, on the extraction yield, then the results were modeled using a second order regression. Total carotenoids yield of clementine peel extract obtained under optimal microwave-assisted extraction conditions was compared to extracts performed using two conventional extraction methods (maceration and Soxhlet). Results: The optimal conditions for microwave-assisted extraction were 68% of hexane concentration using 561 W of microwave power during 7.64 min of irradiation time, 43 ml/g of solvent-to-solid ratio using two successive extractions. Under optimized conditions of microwave-assisted extraction, the recovery of carotenoid content was 186.55 µg/g dry matter (DM), which was higher than that obtained by the two conventional methods, maceration extraction (ME; 160.53 µg/g DM) and Soxhlet extraction (SE; 162.68 µg/g DM). Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that microwave-assisted extraction is an efficient method for carotenoid recovery and considering its high yield in reduced time, it could be recommended for extraction of these bioactive compounds from clementine peels.

Enzymatic pre-treatment in cold pressing: Influence on flaxseed, apricot kernel and grape seed oils

A commercial enzyme preparation consisting of pectolytic, cellulotic and hemicellulotic enzymes was applied to the oil extraction by cold pressing from apricot kernel, flaxseed and grape seed. The effects of enzyme pre-treatment varied depending on the different oil seed used as raw material. Although the increase in free fatty acidity can be considered as a negative effect (from 0.37 to 0.52), the decrease in peroxide number and p-anisidine values, increase in oil yield (22.75%), higher levels of total carotenoids and tocopherols, as well as a remarkable increase in phenolic content (x1.68) and radical scavenging effect (including hydrophilic and lipophilic-induced and total antioxidant capacity) showed that the use of enzyme application in the cold pressing of apricot kernel oil would be beneficial. Many of these positive results could not be achieved in the pressing of flaxseed or grape seed oils under the same conditions. A high negative correlation (r=-92.2) was found between p-anisidine value and δ-tocopherol for grapeseed oil. Hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, and total carotenoids negatively correlated well (r values above 80) with peroxide values for apricot seed oil. Correlation results showed that carotenoids play an important role in the oxidative stability of the oils, where it was much more evident for apricot seed oil (r=-97.5).

Peeling Affects the Nutritional Properties of Carrot Genotypes

Peeling may result in changes in carrot’s nutritional properties; therefore, the present study focused on its effect on the retention of principal nutrients (minerals, sugars, organic acids) and antioxidants (carotenoids and phenols) in the peeled roots of two landraces (‘Carota a punta lunga’—CPL and ‘Carota a punta tonda’—CPT) and a hybrid cultivar (‘Presto’) grown in the area of the “Salterns of Margherita di Savoia” area (Puglia region). The peel had a higher concentration of cations (+92%), organic acids (+103%), carotenoids (+42%), and phenolic acids (seven times) than root flesh. For each chemical class, the most abundant components were K, malic acid, ß-carotene, and chlorogenic acid, respectively. The two landraces stand out for the accumulation of the phenolic acids and ß-carotene, whereas the peel of ‘Presto’ was distinguished by the concentration of Ca and ascorbic and pyruvic acids. The root flesh had a greater accumulation of simple sugars, nitrate (mainly in CPL), oxalic acid, and in particular in the flesh of ‘Presto’, of Na and Cl. For local varieties, peel removal seems to impact the nutritional and antioxidative properties of carrots more consistently compared to the advanced cultivar, since it represents on average 21% and 59% of the total carotenoids and phenols, respectively, of the intact roots.

Use of Conventional and Innovative Technologies for the Production of Food Grade Hop Extracts: Focus on Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity

This study investigated the use of conventional and innovative extraction methods to produce food-grade hop extracts with high antioxidant capacity and content in bioactive compounds. Conventional extractions (CONV) were performed under dynamic maceration at 25 and 60 °C; innovative extractions were performed using two ultrasound systems, a laboratory bath (US) and a high-power ultrasound bath (HPUS), and a high-pressure industrial process. For CONV, US, and HPUS extractions the effect of the extraction time was also tested. Experimental results showed that extraction method, temperature, and time affect to a different extent the phenolic profile and have a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antiradical capacity (ABTS), chlorophyll α, and total carotenoids content. Overall, US and CONV 60 °C extractions showed the highest extraction efficiency for almost all the investigated compounds, however, the extraction method and time to be used strongly depends on the target compounds to extract.

Optimization of pigment production by Rhodotorula minuta URM 5197 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa URM 7409 using yellow passion fruit peel (Passiflora edulis)

The objective of this work was to optimize the production of pigments by Rhodotorula minuta and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa through submerged fermentation, using yellow passion fruit peel (Passiflora edulis), as the only substrate. The independent variables evaluated to optimize were: yellow passion fruit peel (YPFP), in grams (g) as culture medium, pH and fermentation time, in days. The study of pigment production and its optimization was carried out using the Doehlert matrix, with fifteen experimental conditions, of which thirteen had different combinations and two repeated the central point. The fixed variables were 30ºC and 150 rpm. Data analysis was performed using the Statistica software version 10.0. The largest amount of total pigments and total carotenoids produced by R. minuta was 28±0.01 mg/L and 72.8±0.026 µg/g, respectively; while for R. mucilaginosa the production of total pigments was 37±0.002 mg/L and total carotenoids 236.8±0.013 µg/g. The optimum production point of total pigments for R. minuta was 2.3g of YPFP, pH 6.5 and 5 days and for R. mucilaginosa 2.5g of YPFP pH 6 and 5 days. In samples of total pigments, the presence of 0.29mg/L of β-carotene for R. minuta and 0.83 mg/L for R. mucilaginosa was identified. It is possible to conclude that yellow passion fruit peel can be used as a nutrient source for Rhodotorula spp growth and pigment production with total carotenoids and β-carotene in its composition.

Multi-omics Analyses Provides Insight into the Biosynthesis Pathways of Fucoxanthin in Isochrysis galbana

Isochrysis galbana is considered an ideal bait for functional foods and nutraceuticals in humans because of its high fucoxanthin (Fx) content. However, multi-omics analysis of the regulation networks for Fx biosynthesis in I. galbana has not been reported. In this study, we report a high-quality genome sequence of I. galbana LG007, which has a 92.73 Mb genome size, with a contig N50 of 6.99 Mb and 14,900 protein-coding genes. Phylogenomic inferences confirmed the monophyly of Haptophyta, with I. galbana sister to Emiliania huxleyi and Chrysochromulina tobinii. Evolutionary analysis revealed an estimated divergence time between I. galbana and E. huxleyi of ~ 133 million years ago (Mya). Gene family analysis indicated that lipid metabolism-related genes exhibited significant expansion, including IgPLMT, IgOAR1 and Δ-4 desaturase. Metabolome analysis showed that the content of carotenoid in I. galbana cultured under green light (7d-G) for 7 days was higher than that of white light (7d-W), and β-carotene was the main carotenoids, accounting for 79.09% of the total carotenoids. Comprehensive analysis of multi-omics analysis revealed that β-carotene, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin and Fx content was increased by green light induction, which was significantly correlated with the expression of IgMYB98, IgZDS, IgPDS, IgLHCX2, IgZEP, IgLCYb, and IgNSY. These findings contribute to understanding Fx biosynthesis and its regulation, providing a valuable reference for food and pharmaceutical applications.

The effect of biodynamic preparations on growth and fruit quality of giant pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima D.)

Background Food quality of agricultural crops depends on environmental conditions, production system and cultivation method. A plant-based nutrition with food rich in vitamins, minerals and secondary plant compounds with antioxidative properties promotes human health. This investigation was inspired by an increasing global issue on how to improve product quality while using alternative preparations. The main aim of a 3-year study was to investigate the influence of fermented manure and silica products on yield and nutritive components in peel, fruit and seeds of three pumpkin cultivars. In four replicates as block design, the effects of individually as well as combined application of biodynamic horn manure and horn silica preparation were compared to a control variant. Results Horn manure application significantly increased total and marketable yield. Marketable yield, contents of macroelements, total carotenoids, single carotenoids (lutein + zeaxanthin, lycopene, ß-carotene) and antioxidants (catechins, total phenols, leuco-anthocyanins) were significantly increased by horn silica use. The combination of both biodynamic preparations had a significantly increasing effect on total and marketable yield, net photosynthetic productivity, dry matter content and total and single carotenoid contents (lutein + zeaxanthin, lycopene, ß-carotene). Conclusions The pumpkin trial results indicated a general growth-promoting effect by horn manure, a quality-enhancing effect by horn silica and a compensatory effect through both preparations on a high qualitative level. In accordance with other investigations, these effects did not occur in the same way in all plant species. Therefore, the effects of the biodynamic preparations should be tested in further trials on a plant species-specific basis. Graphic abstract