Carotenoids are a group of plant pigments responsible for bright red, yellow, and orange hues seen in many
fruits and vegetables. They are a class of phytonutrients, naturally occurring compounds that have beneficial
properties for human health.
Carotenoids are classified as terpenoids, specifically as tetraterpenoids
(i.e. containing 8 isoprene units).
There are over 600 known carotenoids, but the most common ones include
beta-carotene, lycopene,
zeaxanthin, and lutein.
Carotenoids, which are typically divided into two main types: xanthophylls, which contain oxygen,
and carotenes, which are purely hydrocarbons.
Carotenoids are fat-soluble and are known for their antioxidant properties, helping to protect the body from damage by free radicals,
which are unstable molecules that can damage cells.
In addition to their antioxidant function, some carotenoids can be converted into vitamin A in the body, which is crucial for vision,
growth, and immune function.
Carotenoids have been linked to numerous health benefits when consumed as part of a balanced diet. They have been associated with reduced
risk of certain types of cancers, improved eye health, and enhanced immune function. The wide array of colorful fruits and vegetables,
such as carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, is a great source of carotenoids.
Examples of some carotenoids found in herbal leaf extracts are listed below:
Beta-Carotene -
found in various green leafy vegetables and herbs.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin - These carotenoids are
typically found together and are especially abundant in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.
Lycopene - While lycopene is more commonly associated with red fruits and
vegetables, particularly tomatoes, some herbs also contain this antioxidant carotenoid.
Astaxanthin -
This carotenoid is most commonly found in algae and seafood like salmon and shrimp, but it can also be found in some herbal extracts.
Beta-Cryptoxanthin -
Another pro-vitamin A carotenoid like beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin can also be found in certain herbal leaf extracts.
Examples of some carotenoids found in flowers are listed below:
Beta-Carotene -
The most common type of carotenoid, it is often found in bright orange flowers.
For example, marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are a common flower that contains high amounts of beta-carotene.
Beta-carotene is a precursor to Vitamin A and acts as an antioxidant in the body.
Lycopene - This carotenoid produces a red color and is most commonly
found in tomatoes, but it is also present in some flowers, like certain species of roses. Lycopene has been linked to heart health
and cancer prevention.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin - These carotenoids are
typically found together and contribute to yellow pigmentation. They are commonly found in flowers like calendula
(Calendula officinalis). Both lutein and zeaxanthin are known for their antioxidant properties and their role in eye health.
Astaxanthin -
This carotenoid produces a reddish pigment and, while typically found in algae and aquatic animals that eat these algae, it may also be
found in certain flowers. Astaxanthin has powerful antioxidant properties and is known for its potential benefits to skin health and
inflammation reduction.
Violaxanthin -
This is a yellow pigment found in a variety of flowers, including pansies (Viola spp.) and some daisies
(Bellis perennis). Like other carotenoids, violaxanthin has antioxidant properties.
Capsanthin -
This is a red pigment found in the flowers of certain pepper plants (Capsicum annuum).
Examples of some carotenoids found in fruit and vegetables are listed below:
Beta-Carotene -
This is the most common type of carotenoid and the most well-known provitamin A carotenoid. It gives carrots, sweet potatoes,
spinach, and kale their orange or dark green colour.
Alpha-Carotene - Similar to beta-carotene, alpha-carotene is also a
provitamin A carotenoid. It is found in similar foods to beta-carotene, including carrots, pumpkins,
and winter squashes.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin - These carotenoids
are found in colourful foods like corn and oranges. Lutein and zeaxanthin are beneficial for eye health and are the only carotenoids
found in high concentrations in the retina of the eye.
Lycopene - Known for giving tomatoes their red colour, lycopene is also
found in watermelons, pink grapefruits, and apricots. It is a powerful antioxidant and has been linked to heart health and cancer prevention.
Beta-Cryptoxanthin -
Another provitamin A carotenoid, beta-cryptoxanthin, gives oranges, papayas, and peaches their orange colour.
Examples of some carotenoids found in brown seaweed are listed below:
Fucoxanthin -
This is the dominant carotenoid in brown seaweeds. It is a xanthophyll, known for its potential health benefits such as anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant, and anti-obesity effects.
Violaxanthin -
This is another type of xanthophyll that can be found in some species of brown seaweed.
Violaxanthin is part of the xanthophyll cycle, which is involved in the protection against photo-oxidative damage.
Neoxanthin -
This is a xanthophyll that can also be found in some brown seaweeds. It also plays a role in the xanthophyll cycle.
Beta Carotene -
This is a precursor of vitamin A that is present in many fruits and vegetables, as well as some types of seaweed.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin - These carotenoids are
typically found together and are present in some brown seaweeds.They are known for their antioxidant properties and their role in eye health.
Lycopene - While lycopene is more commonly associated with red fruits and
vegetables, particularly tomatoes, it can also be found in some brown seaweed species.
Examples of some carotenoids found in green seaweed are listed below:
Beta Carotene -
This carotenoid, with antioxidant bioactive properties, is found in green seaweed species such as
Ulva lactuca (sea lettuce) and Codium fragile (commonly known as green sea fingers or dead man's fingers).
Lutein -
This is a powerful antioxidantand that can play a role in maintaining eye health. It is found in Ulva lactuca and
Caulerpa lentillifera (often known as "sea grapes" or "green caviar").
Violaxanthin -
Found in Ulva lactuca and Enteromorpha intestinalis.
Neoxanthin -
This carotenoid has antioxidant properties and is involved in the process of photosynthesis. It is found in
Ulva lactuca and Caulerpa lentillifera.
Zeaxanthin - Like lutein, zeaxanthin plays a crucial role in
eye health. It is also involved in the xanthophyll cycle and offers protection against harmful high-energy blue light.
It is found in Ulva lactuca and Enteromorpha intestinalis.
Siphonaxanthin - This is a unique xanthophyll found in
green seaweeds (e.g. Codium fragile) and some red seaweeds.
Siphonein -
This carotenoid is specifically found in siphonous green algae, like Bryopsis, and some red seaweeds.
Examples of some carotenoids found in red seaweed are listed below:
Zeaxanthin - This carotenoid is also common in red seaweeds.
For instance, the red seaweed Chondrus crispus, commonly known as Irish moss, contains zeaxanthin.
Lutein -
This carotenoid is less common in red algae compared to other types of seaweed, however an example of a red seaweed that
does contain lutein is Porphyra species (known as Nori).
Bet-Carotene -
This carotenoid is widely distributed in many organisms and is present in a number of red seaweed species, for instance
Palmaria palmata (known as dulse).
Siphonaxanthin - This is a unique xanthophyll found in
green seaweeds (Chlorophyta) and some red seaweeds.
Siphonein -
This carotenoid is specifically found in siphonous green algae, like Bryopsis, and some red seaweeds.
The extraction process, including the solvents and methods used, can influence the concentration and types of carotenoids present in the final extract.
It is often the case that a balance needs to be found between fully-extracting all carotenoids while also ensuring that the compounds that are
obtained are of a high quality and not degraded.
At Celignis we have extensive experience in the design and optimisation of extraction protocols for a wide variety of chemical constituents from
many different biomass types. If needed we can also work on processes to separate and purify the target compounds.
Click here to read more about Celignis's Bioprocess Development Services for the extraction of
chemicals from biomass.
€1.6m Funding Success for Celignis in 2024 CBE-JU Calls
We have secured funding for involvement in 4 collaborative research projects
We are delighted to announce that Celignis has been successful in 4 project proposals submitted for funding to the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) programme.
These projects will provide funding of 1.6m EUR to Celignis over the next few years and build upon the 3 projects (worth 1.5m EUR) we secured last year and the 4 previous CBE/BBI projects that Celignis participated in.
Details on the projects are provided below:
WoodVALOR - This RIA project concerns the valorisation of contaminated/post-consumer wood waste (WW) via: (i) thermal conversion to biochar; and (ii) fractionation followed by conversions to paints & coatings ingredients. Celignis is involved in the chemo-enzymatic fractionation of decontaminated wood (DW) to sequentially extract/purify lignin and hemicellulose, and in developing hemicellulose-based emulsifiers/stabilizers and binder monomers for industrial formulations. Additionally, Celignis is involved in metals/mineral recovery from decontamination wastewater using
New Publication from a Celignis Bioprocess Development Project
The article, available in "Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery" is entitled "Process development for efficient pectin extraction from tobacco residues and its characterisation"
We are please to announce the publication of a peer-reviewed scientific article based on some of the research outputs of a Bioprocess Development Service (BDS) project undertaken by Celignis.
The article, entitled "Process development for efficient pectin extraction from tobacco residues and its characterisation" details the results of experiments targeting the optimised extraction of pectin from the laminae of a number of different varieties of tobacco plants. These tobacco-derived pectins were found to have a medium molecular weight and low methoxy content and our findings indicated that this feedstock could be suitable for the production of pectin with dietary applications.
Meeting takes place at the coordinator's (ITA) headquarters in Zaragoza, SPAIN
Celignis personnel are today attending the kick-off meeting of the CBE-JU project MANUREFINERY at the facilities of the project's coordinator (ITA) in Zaragoza, Spain.
MANUREFINERY concerns the development of a small, decentralised, modular biorefinery concept for farms that converts manure and ammonia emissions into seven marketable bio-ingredients (animal-feed proteins, caproic acid, and fertiliser salts/ashes). The solution integrates fixed/mobile units across three valorisation lines (gas, liquid, solid) and a digital twin for optimisation and scale-up, targeting TRL6-7 validation on four EU demo farms.
Celignis has a number of key roles in the project, including:
- Comprehensive analysis of the feedstocks and products of the process.
Meeting takes place at the coordinator's (AIMPLAS) headquarters in Valencia, Spain
PROMOFER, is an Innovation Action project funded by the CBE-JU, under topic HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-03 (Improve Fermentation Processes (Including Downstream Purification) To Final Bio-Based Products).
This project started in June 2024 with Celignis, an SME partner and full industry BIC member, playing a pivotal role in the project. Our core activities include undertaking the pre-treatment and hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass at scaled-up (TRL7, 1 m3) volumes. The resulting sugars are then provided to other partners for downstream fermentations.
Today Celignis's CIO Lalitha is attending the kick-off meeting of the project, at coordinator AIMPLAS's headquarters in Valencia, Spain.
We're attending the kick-off meeting for BIONEER in Trondheim, Norway (SINTEF)
Lalitha is attending the kick-off meeting of our CBE-JU project BIONEER, located at the coordinator's (SINTEF) premises in Trondheim, Norway.
BIONEER has the title "Scaled-up Production of Next-Generation Carbohydrate-Derived Building Blocks to Enhance the Competitiveness of a Sustainable European Chemicals Industry". It is a 4-year Innovation Action project with 7.5m EUR of funding provided by the CBE-JU.
Celignis plays a key role in BIONEER, being responsible for the scaled-up (TRL7) production of platform chemicals.
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