Introductory Chapter: Carotenoids - A Brief Overview on Its Structure, Biosynthesis, Synthesis, and Applications

Abstract

Currently, 1178 natural carotenoids have been properly characterized and reported in the literature, which present a huge structural diversity and physicochemical properties. This number comprises a wide distribution of these biomolecules in approximately 700 source organisms including plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae. Besides having a wide applicability as natural dyes, some carotenoids such as β-carotene already have another well-established application such as provitamin A activity. However, due to the structural diversity of these molecules, there are still numerous biochemical and physiological functions to be associated with this class of compounds. Accordingly, these characteristics enable a wide applicability, what drives the global carotenoid market. Thus, with the primary objective of addressing aspects regarding to basic science and applied carotenoid technology, a comprehensive description of the biology, biochemistry, and chemistry of these compounds will be described in this chapter.

The Effect of Traditional and Non-Thermal Treatments on the Bioactive Compounds and Sugars Content of Red Bell Pepper

“…The difference between hot water and steam blanching may be related to the specificity of treatment—water that penetrates disintegrated tissue may flush out carotenoid molecules. What more, although most of carotenoids are water insoluble they can form complexes with proteins which affects their polarity and thus water solubility [ 33 ]. Also, some of carotenoids exhibit higher polarity than others—most of xanthophyll’s are more polar than other carotenoids [ 34 ].…”

Marine Microalgae for Potential Lutein Production

“…Microalgae are photosynthetic microscopic organisms that possess several accessory light-harvesting carotenoid pigment molecules such as astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene, which have commercial value. Lutein is a xanthophyll and one of 1178 known naturally occurring carotenoids [1]. It is an oxygenated carotenoid found primarily in plants such as spinach, kale, and marigold as well as certain microalgal species such as Scenedesmus almeriensis, Chlorella zofingiensis, and Muriellopsis sp.…”

Temporal and spatial variability of terrestrial diatoms at the catchment scale: controls on productivity and comparison with other soil algae

“…In contrast to higher plants, which all contain the same major carotenoids, algae have different characteristic carotenoids. So far, around 1,100 different natural carotenoids have been characterized and reported in the literature (Fernandes et al, 2018). This diversity and specificity allows us to use certain carotenoids as so-called biomarkers or chemotaxonomical markers to infer the production of different algal groups.…”