Bioactive C₁₇-Polyacetylenes in Carrots (Daucus carota L.): Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Abstract

C17-polyacetylenes (PAs) are a prominent group of oxylipins and are primarily produced by plants of the families Apiaceae, Araliaceae, and Asteraceae, respectively. Recent studies on the biological activity of polyacetylenes have indicated their potential to improve human health due to anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and serotogenic effects. These findings suggest targeting vegetables with elevated levels of bisacetylenic oxylipins, such as falcarinol, by breeding studies. Due to the abundant availability, high diversity of cultivars, worldwide experience, and high agricultural yields, in particular, carrot (Daucus carota L.) genotypes are a very promising target vegetable. This paper provides a review on falcarinol-type C17-polyacetylenes in carrots and a perspective on their potential as a future contributor to improving human health and well-being.

Identification of Genes Encoding Enzymes Catalyzing the Early Steps of Carrot Polyacetylene Biosynthesis

“…The major source of polyacetylenes in the human diet is carrot (Daucus carota L.). Carrot is one of the most important crop species in the Apiaceae, with rapidly increasing worldwide cultivation (Rubatzky et al, 1999;Dawid et al, 2015). The most common carrot polyacetylenes are C 17 linear aliphatic compounds containing two conjugated carbon-carbon triple bonds, one or two carbon-carbon double bonds, and a diversity of additional in-chain oxygen-containing functional groups.…”

“…The most common carrot polyacetylenes are C 17 linear aliphatic compounds containing two conjugated carbon-carbon triple bonds, one or two carbon-carbon double bonds, and a diversity of additional in-chain oxygen-containing functional groups. In carrot, the most abundant of these compounds are falcarinol and falcarindiol (Dawid et al, 2015). Based on their structures, it has been hypothesized that these compounds (alias falcarin-type polyacetylenes) are derived from ubiquitous fatty acids.…”

Lipids in Ginseng (Panax ginseng) and Their Analysis

“…They are mainly produced by higher plants in the families Araliaceae and Apiaceae, and they are recognized as bioactive phytochemicals. 25 …”

Nutrimetabolomics: An Update on Analytical Approaches to Investigate the Role of Plant-Based Foods and Their Bioactive Compounds in Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases

“…Additionally, is well-known that the BAC content in fruits or vegetables, such as antioxidants, may be influenced by variety, environment, and agronomic conditions, and these factors may impact its organoleptic properties. For example, carrots are recognized for their BACs associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer properties [33]. In this regard, Tomassini et al [34] studied different ready-to-drink carrot juices from the same cultivar, cultivated by the same methods and processed in the same factory, using an H-NMR approach.…”