不同类型西双版纳黄瓜果实成熟期营养成分分析

西双版纳黄瓜（Cucumis sativus L. var. xishuangbannanesis Qi et Yuan）是我国特有的黄瓜变种,老瓜果肉橙黄是区别于普通黄瓜的主要特征之一。本文以不同类型版纳黄瓜为研究对象,分析果实成熟期主要营养成分及其变化规律。结果显示,18份版纳黄瓜老瓜的平均β-胡萝卜素含量为106.58mg/kgDW,叶黄素0.48mg/kgDW,Vc4.96 mg/100g,可溶性糖1.97%,Ca173.21mg/kg,Fe1.28mg/kg,Mg121.89mg/kg,P339.67mg/kg,Zn1.47mg/kg。不同种质的β胡萝卜素含量差异较大,变异范围1.34~261.55mg/kgDW,变异系数67.68%。随着果实成熟期的延长,版纳黄瓜的β-胡萝卜素和α-胡萝卜素含量呈显著增高的趋势,而叶黄素含量明显下降。在果实成熟期未检测到番茄红素。β-胡萝卜素积累是版纳黄瓜果肉颜色形成的主要原因。     

桃果实发育阶段肉色形成与类胡萝卜素的变化分析

为了分析不同肉色类型桃果实发育过程中类胡萝卜素成分的变化特点及其颜色差异形成的因素,选择‘半斤桃’(红肉)、‘图八德’(黄肉)、‘正姬’(白肉)桃品种为试材,采用紫外分光光度计和高效液相色谱法(HPLC)对桃果实类胡萝卜素及其组分含量进行定性定量分析.结果显示:(1)桃果实的主要类胡萝卜素成分为叶黄素、玉米黄素、β-隐黄质、α-胡萝卜素和β-胡萝卜素.(2)随着果实的发育,‘半斤桃’和‘正姬’的类胡萝卜素总含量逐渐降低,而‘图八德’则是先降低后上升,且明显高于前二者;3种类型桃果实的叶黄素均逐渐降低,果实成熟时接近0;玉米黄素呈先降后升的趋势,果实成熟时达到最大值;‘半斤桃’和‘正姬’的β-隐黄质、α-胡萝卜素和β-胡萝卜素呈逐渐下降的趋势,而‘图八德’的β-隐黄质含量先升后微降最后上升、α-胡萝卜素和p-胡萝卜素含量则逐渐增加,且均在果实成熟时达到最大值.(3)‘图八德’成熟果实中的类胡萝卜素总含量达到最大值,其中β-胡萝卜素含量最高,占5个成分之和的75.99％.研究表明,桃果实肉色形成与类胡萝卜素的含量与成分有着紧密的联系,尤其是其中的β-胡萝卜素含量.     

西双版纳黄瓜Cs-Psy1基因的序列特征与表达分析

西双版纳黄瓜是我国特有的果肉橙黄色的黄瓜变种资源,不同种质间的β-胡萝卜素含量差异明显。PSY是胡萝卜素生物合成途径中的第1个限速酶。本文以西双版纳黄瓜为试材,分别克隆西双版纳黄瓜八氢番茄红素合成酶(Cs-PSY1)的DNA和c DNA序列,结果显示,DNA长2797 bp,包含5个内含子和6个外显子,c DNA序列长1385 bp,编码421个氨基酸。Psy1推测的氨基酸序列包含该家族的2个特征序列,保守性很高。该蛋白为不稳定蛋白,无明显疏水区,未预测到跨膜结构;系统进化分析结果显示,西双版纳黄瓜的Cs-PSY1蛋白与甜瓜的同源性较高;与栽培黄瓜深度测序材料"9930"和"GY14"的序列进行比较分析,结合115份黄瓜重测序结果,共发现5个SNP,其中2个位于起始密码子上游27 bp处和971 bp处,3个位于内含子区域。其中SNP4在重测序的19份西双版纳黄瓜中的突变率为100%,在96份栽培黄瓜中的特异性为5.3%。转录因子结合位点预测结果显示,在普通栽培黄瓜该位点处存在一个CTAG motif,在西双版纳黄瓜中该位点突变后则不存在该motif。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析Cs-Psy1的表达量变化趋势,结果表明,在黄瓜不同果实发育时期,该基因的表达量均呈现先上升后下降的趋势,在西双版纳黄瓜中表达量变化的差异明显,在授粉后50 d达到最大值,是果实发育初期表达量的8倍多,是同时期普通黄瓜的4倍多,而普通黄瓜表达量的总体变化相对平缓。西双版纳黄瓜果实内果皮的表达水平明显高于中果皮,最高相差约5倍,普通黄瓜差异不明显。从上述研究结果推测Psy1基因可能影响西双版纳黄瓜的β-胡萝卜素积累。     

柑橘果皮颜色的形成与类胡萝卜素组分变化的关系

分析了果皮分别为红、橙和黄颜色的柑橘品种“满头红”、“尾张”和“胡柚”果实着色过程中果皮类胡萝卜素组分及含量的变化。结果表明,随着果实的发育和成熟,果皮叶绿素含量下降,α-胡萝卜素、β—胡萝卜素含量逐渐下降直至消失,而β—隐黄质、β-柠乌素、玉米黄质等叶黄素成分含量逐渐上升,果实逐渐褪绿并呈现其特征色泽。“胡柏”果皮中类胡萝卜素总量及其橙、红色类胡萝卜素成分β-隐黄质和β-柠乌素积累少是其颜色淡、呈黄色的主要原因;三种果实的颜色差异并非由于果皮类胡萝卜素总量的差异,而主要是由于果皮不同类胡萝卜素成分组成比例不同。“满头红”以积累红色的β-柠乌素为主,而“尾张”则以积累橙色的β-隐黄质为主。     

猕猴桃的功能成分在不同采收时间的变化

目前,关于功能性化合物在果实成熟阶段和采后成熟过程中的组成变化的研究很少。本研究检测了盛花后70～160 d (70～160 DAFB)收获并保持9周的猕猴桃关键功能分子含量的变化。研究显示,晚期采收的成熟果实含有较高水平的总酚和维生素C,而叶黄素和β-胡萝卜素含量较低。在早期(70～100 DAFB)收获的猕猴桃含有较高含量的叶黄素和β-胡萝卜素。然而,除了160 DAFB采收的果实6周储存后β-胡萝卜素含量急剧增加之外,在收获后贮藏期间,不管收获成熟度如何,类胡萝卜素含量没有明显变化。其他色素在成熟和贮藏过程中趋于减少。总之,猕猴桃在成熟的早期阶段进行采收可获得较高水平的类胡萝卜素含量,在成熟晚期收获的猕猴桃具有相对较高水平的维生素C和总酚含量。     

三孢布拉氏霉发酵生产β-胡萝卜素的研究

利用三孢布拉氏霉发酵生产天然β－胡萝卜素。在30L发酵罐中,平均生物量31．3g干菌重／L发酵液和胡萝卜素1213．1mp／L;在3M³发酵罐中,平均生物量38.0g干菌重／L发酵液和胡萝卜素1146．5mg／L。将中试样品经HPLC分析,在总色素中β-胡萝卜素占92～96％,其他类胡萝卜素占8～4％;在β-胡萝卜素中,反式异构体占90～95％,9－、13－、15－顺式异构体占10～5％。结晶β－胡萝卜素呈多种形状,但大多数为两端锥形的棱柱体。在胡萝卜素提取中,工艺和技     

发酵促进剂对三孢布拉氏霉菌发酵产β-胡萝卜素的影响

通过单因素实验研究了不同浓度的酮康唑,表面活性剂(Span-20,Span-60,Tween-80),正十二烷,β-紫罗兰酮对三孢布拉氏霉菌合成β-胡萝卜素的影响。结果表明当酮康唑添加量为0.003%时,β-胡萝卜素的含量由1 125mg·L-1增加至1 425mg·L-1;与Span-60,Tween-80相比,当Span-20的添加量为0.1%时,β-胡萝卜素的含量最大提高至1 411mg·L-1;发酵培养基中添加1%的正十二烷,相比空白组的β-胡萝卜素含量提高了9%;β-紫罗兰酮添加量为0.1%时,β-胡萝卜素的含量由1 324mg·L-1提升到1 450mg·L-1。     

紫花芒果后熟过程中主要类胡萝卜素含量的变化

紫花芒果后熟过程中主要类胡萝卜素含量的变化周玉蝉,唐友林,谭兴杰（中国科学院华南植物研究所广州５１０６５０）关键词：总类胡萝卜素;α－胡萝卜素;β－胡萝卜素;叶黄素;芒果芒果以富含维生素Ａ原——卜胡萝卜素而著称,而果实中类胡萝卜素含量的变化与芒果后熟...     

草莓果实成熟过程中品质的变化

对“丰香”草莓果实不同成熟期品质的研究表明：草莓果实成熟过程中内外品质处在不断变化之克尤其是挂粉期,此期果实硬度、固／酸比发生显著变化;红熟期（成熟度在乃％左右）为草莓鲜食的最佳采收期,其固／酸比、维生素C含量分别达到6．77和44．71mg／100gfw,为整个成熟期的最高值;当果实硬度在0．4－0．7Kg／cm2之间,花青素含量在150－230总吸光度／100cm2之间时,草莓果实软硬适宜,色彩鲜艳,风味最好。     

基于GIS的城乡交错带土壤养分时空变化及格局分析——以北京市大兴区为例

通过GPS定位采取土样,标准方法的土样化验、借助GIS技术,应用Kriging插值方法,分析研究了城乡交错带土壤肥力水平变化及其空间分布。研究结果表明,由于近20a土地集约化利用和采用秸秆还田等土壤培肥技术,土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮和速效磷含量都增加了,而速效钾含量因为作物产量增加而施用钾肥不足,含量却下降了。各肥力因素情况如下：1982年土壤有机质含量及其空间分布情况是：6～10g／kg之间的,占总面积的61．23％;10～12g／kg之间的,占总面积的35．17％;12～15g／kg,占总面积的3．6％;2000年土壤有机质含量及其空间分布情况是：6～10g／kg之间的,占总面积的14．35％;10～12g／kg之间的,占总面积的33％;12～15g／kg之间的,占总面积的32．43％;15～20g／kg之间的,占总面积的12．91％;20g／kg以上,占总面积的7．31％。1982年土壤全氮含量及其空间分布情况是：小于0．5g／kg的,占总面积的28．72％;0．5～0．8g／kg的,占总面积的60．81％;2000年土壤全氮含量及其空间分布情况是,在0．8～1．0g／kg之间的,占总面积的48．57％;含量在1．0～1．2g／kg之间的,占总面积的28．87％;含量在0．5～0．8g／kg之间的,占总面积的20．67％。1982年土壤碱解氮含量及其空间分布情况是：45～60mg／kg之间的,占总面积的44．1l％;60～75mg／kg之间的,占总面积的28．89％;30～45mg／kg之间的,占总面积的26．35％;2000年土壤碱解氮含量及其空间分布情况是：在60～75mg／kg之间的,占总面积的57．08％,75～90mg／kg之间的,占总面积的33．4％。1982年速效磷含量及其空间分布比较简单,主要分布在5～10mg／kg之间,占总面积的82．34％;2000年速效磷含量及其空间分布主要是在20～30mg／kg之间,占总面积的55．16％;15～20mg／kg之间,占总面积的28．89％。1982年土壤速效钾含量及其空间分布主要是在75～100mg／kg之间,占总面积的52．69％;含量在50～75mg／kg之间,占总面积的36．82％;2000年土壤速效钾含量及其空间分布主要是在50～75mg／kg之间,占总面积的49．98％,含量在75～100mg／kg之间,占总面积的35．85％。     

Carotenoids of Eriobotrya japonica

The carotenoids of the loquat fruit Eriobotrya japonica Golden Nugget variety, were investigated. They were identified according to their chromatographic, spectrophotometric and chemical properties and compared with standard pigments. For some of the carotenoids, MS were determined. Pulp and peels were investigated separately. The main pattern of the pulp carotenoids was β-carotene (33%), γ-carotene (6%), cryptoxanthin (22%), lutein, violaxanthin and neoxanthin, each about 3–4%. The peel, with a carotenoid content 5 times as high, had a similar pattern, but the ratio between the main pigments differed: β-carotene (50%); γ-carotene (5%); cryptoxanthin (5%); lutein (13%); violaxanthin, neoxanthin, 3–4%. The carotenoids of the loquat (subfamily Maloideae) were very similar to those of the apricot (Prunus armeniaca-subfamily Prunoideae) both of the family of Rosaceae. The intergeneric differences are more pronounced, which is of possible taxonomic significance. The lower concentration of cryptoxanthin and the high concentration of lutein in the peels is noteworthy and of biosynthetic interest.     

饲料中添加甘草酸对刺参生长、免疫及抗病力的影响

以初始体重为(6.80±0.00)g左右的刺参(Apostichopus japonicus Selenka)为研究对象,在室内循环水系统中进行8周饲喂实验,研究饲料中添加不同梯度的甘草酸对刺参生长、免疫及其抗病力的影响。以基础饲料为对照组,在基础饲料中分别添加50、100和200mg/kg的甘草酸,共配制4种实验饲料。结果表明:饲料中添加甘草酸对刺参的成活率没有影响,各处理组均为100%。饲料中添加200mg/kg甘草酸可显著提高刺参的特定生长率(SGR)(P0.05)。养殖实验结束后,通过注射刺参腐皮综合症致病菌灿烂弧菌(Vibriosplendidus)进行刺参攻毒实验,攻毒后14d内对照组与50mg/kg添加组的累计发病率(分别为38.3%和36.7%)显著高于100和200mg/kg添加组(分别为30.0%和26.7%)(P<0.05)。实验可得到以下结论:(1)饲料中添加200mg/kg甘草酸可以提高刺参养殖的产量,同时可以提高刺参的非特异性免疫力和抗病力;(2)在研究中,全周期养殖期间投喂甘草酸不会产生免疫疲劳或其他副作用。       

Changes in the pigment patterns and the photosynthetic activity during a light-induced cell cycle of the green alga Scenedesmus armatus

The photosynthetic oxygen evolution as well as the chlorophyll and carotenoid patterns were studied during the light phase (14 h) of the Scenedesmus armatus cell cycle. The alga was synchronised by the light/dark regime (14/10 h). In this publication, the term “cell cycle” refers to this period of light only. The oxygen evolution measured by a Clark-type electrode and expressed per cell, gradually increased from the beginning of the cell cycle, reaching its maximum at 12 h and then slowly declined towards the end of the cell cycle. This pattern reflects the final reproductive events of the cell cycle consisting of the third mitotic division, chloroplast and protoplast fission, followed by the formation of the autospores. When the same amount of oxygen was expressed per chlorophyll a content, we observed a rapid increase just after the onset of light, which reached a maximum at the third hour, after which, this slowly declined until the end of the cell cycle. A similar pattern for the relative quantum yield of oxygen evolution was obtained when a photobaric component of a photoacoustic signal was analysed by the photoacoustic spectroscopy method. The most abundant carotenoid was lutein. Much smaller amounts of α-carotene, β-carotene, loroxanthin, violoxanthin and neoxanthin were noted; traces of zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin were also identified. The photosynthetic efficiency and the ratio of lutein/α-carotene followed the same patterns during the cell cycle and similar relationships were also observed in the ratio changes of violoxanthin/β-carotene and violoxanthin/neoxanthin. The most photosynthetic-efficient cells contained the highest level of lutein, and had a much lower violoxanthin content. The content of neoxanthin and β-carotene found was lower, with both pigments still being present in similar amounts. These results suggest that the molecular organisation of LHC IIb mainly determined the photosynthetic efficiency of algae during its light-induced cell cycle.     

Retinol-deficient rats can convert a pharmacological dose of astaxanthin to retinol: antioxidant potential of astaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene

Retinol (ROH) and provitamin-A carotenoids are recommended to treat ROH deficiency. Xanthophyll carotenoids, being potent antioxidants, can modulate health disorders. We hypothesize that nonprovitamin-A carotenoids may yield ROH and suppress lipid peroxidation under ROH deficiency. This study aimed to (i) study the possible bioconversion of astaxanthin and lutein to ROH similar to β-carotene and (ii) determine the antioxidant potential of these carotenoids with reference to Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, antioxidant molecules, and lipid peroxidation (Lpx) induced by ROH deficiency in rats. ROH deficiency was induced in rats (n = 5 per group) by feeding a diet devoid of ROH. Retinol-deficient (RD) rats were gavaged with astaxanthin, lutein, β-carotene, or peanut oil alone (RD group) for 7 days. Results show that the RD group had lowered plasma ROH levels (0.3 μmol/L), whereas ROH rose in astaxanthin and β-carotene groups (4.9 and 5.7 μmol/L, respectively), which was supported by enhanced (69% and 70%) intestinal β-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase activity. Astaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene lowered Lpx by 45%, 41%, and 40% (plasma), respectively, and 59%, 64%, and 60% (liver), respectively, compared with the RD group. Lowered Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and enhanced superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase activities support the lowered Lpx. To conclude, this report confirms that astaxanthin is converted into β-carotene and ROH in ROH-deficient rats, and the antioxidant potential of carotenoids was in the order astaxanthin > lutein > β-carotene.     

Simultaneous enhancement of CO2 fixation and lutein production with thermo-tolerant Desmodesmus sp. F51 using a repeated fed-batch cultivation strategy

This study aimed to improve lutein production using a thermo-tolerant lutein-rich microalga Desmodesmus sp. F51. To achieve this goal, four fed-batch cultivation strategies were investigated for CO₂ fixation and lutein production of Desmodesmus sp. F51. Among them, Fed-batch IV showed the best performance, giving the highest CO₂ fixation rate and lutein productivity of 1582.4 mg/L/d and 3.91 mg/L/d, respectively. Both increasing the light intensity and limiting the nutrients led to a lower carotenoids content in the microalga, with a higher proportion of lutein and lower proportion of β-carotene being obtained in the carotenoids. The carotenoid present in the biomass was mainly lutein, accounting for 50–66% of total carotenoids. Repeated operations of the Fed-batch IV strategy could effectively improve CO₂ fixation and lutein production of Desmodesmus sp. F51, giving the best results of 1826.0 mg/L/d, and 4.61 mg/L/d, respectively. This performance is better than most of the previously reported values.     

减量施氮对大棚黄瓜产量和品质的影响

利用在东部沿海丘陵区玻璃大棚中的长期定位试验,设置农民习惯施氮(N₁, 800 kg·hm^-2)、氮减量25%(N₂, 600 kg·hm^-2)、氮减量50%(N₃, 400 kg ·hm^-2)、不施肥(CK)4种不同化肥施氮水平和施有机肥(ON, 400 kg N·hm^-2)处理,研究了不同施氮量对黄瓜产量及品质的影响.结果表明: 与农民习惯施氮相比,施氮量减少50%能保证黄瓜的果实产量,并大幅提高经济效益.不同处理黄瓜果实硝酸盐含量范围在94.2～136.1 mg·kg^-1,均未超过我国蔬菜卫生安全标准,不同施肥处理比CK增加了18.1%～44.5%,其中N₃处理下增加幅度最小.施用化肥降低了黄瓜果实中Vc、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量,在施氮量600 kg·hm^-2处理中最低.不同施氮处理在短期内改变土壤pH等理化性质,然而在过量施肥条件下黄瓜产量、经济效益与土壤性质无显著相关性.因此,在东部沿海丘陵区的大棚生产条件下,氮肥施用量减少50%可以保证黄瓜产量和果实品质.     

Carotenoids in fish IV. Salmonidae and Thymallidae from Polish waters

The author investigated the presence of various carotenoids in the Salmonidae and Thymallidae family by means of columnar and thin-layer chromatography. The investigations revealed the presence of the following carotenoids:

Abstract

- in the muscles of Salmo salar: astaxanthin (pure and ester), canthaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin.

- in the eggs of Salmo trutta m. trutta: β-carotene, iso- and zeaxanthin, lutein, taraxanthin and astaxanthin.

- in the eggs of Salmo trutta m. fario: β-carotene, canthaxanthin, 4-keto-4-hydroxy-β-carotene, astaxanthin (pure and ester), lutein, taraxanthin and astacene.

- in the eggs of Salmo gairdneri: β-carotene, γ-carotene (?), canthacanthin, isozeaxanthin, lutein and astaxanthin, and in the sperm Salmo gairdneri: β-carotene, γ-carotene (?), 4-keto-4-hydroxy-β-carotene, canthaxanthin, lutein and astaxanthin.

- in the eggs of Salvelinus fontinalis: ester astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, isozeaxanthin, lutein and astacene.

- in the eggs of Hucho hucho: β-carotene, tunaxanthin, lutein, taraxanthin and astaxanthin.

- in the eggs of Coregonus albula: β-carotene, 4-keto-4-hydroxy-β-carotene, ester astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, taraxanthin and astacene.

- in Coregonus lavaretus: a) in eggs: β-carotene, ester astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, iso- and zeaxanthin, lutein, taraxanthin and astacene b) in the sperm: canthaxanthin, 4-hydroxy-4-keto-β-carotene, isozeaxanthin and astaxanthin, and other organs: 4-hydroxy-α-carotene, canthaxanthin, tunaxanthin, monoepoxy lutein, lutein, iso- and zeaxanthin and astaxanthin.

- in the eggs of Coregonus peled: β-carotene, 4-keto-4-hydroxy-β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, taraxanthin and astacene.

- in the eggs of Thymallus thymallus: β-carotene, tunaxanthin, lutein and astaxanthin.

     

Carotenoid-containing unilamellar liposomes loaded with glutathione: a model to study hydrophobic-hydrophilic antioxidant interaction

Unilamellar liposomes are used as a simple two-compartment model to study the interaction of antioxidants. The vesicle membrane can be loaded with lipophilic compounds such as carotenoids or tocopherols, and the aqueous core space with hydrophilic substances like glutathione (GSH) or ascorbate, mimicking the interphase between an aqueous compartment of a cell and its surrounding membrane.

Unilamellar liposomes were used to investigate the interaction of GSH with the carotenoids lutein, β-carotene and lycopene in preventing lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation was initiated with 2,2′-azo-bis-[2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile] (AMVN). Malondialdehyde (MDA) formation was measured as an indicator of oxidation; additionally, the loss of GSH was followed. In liposomes without added antioxidant, MDA levels of 119 ± 6 nmol/mg phospholipid were detected after incubation with AMVN for 2 h at 37°C. Considerably lower levels of 57 ± 8 nmol MDA/mg phospholipid were found when the liposomal vesicles had been loaded with GSH. Upon incorporation of β-carotene, lycopene or lutein, the resistance of unilamellar liposomes towards lipid peroxidation was further modified. An optimal further protection was observed with 0.02 nmol β-carotene/mg phospholipid or 0.06 nmol lycopene/mg phospholipid. At higher levels both these carotenoids exhibited prooxidant effects. Lutein inhibited lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner between 0.02 and 2.6 nmol/mg phospholipid. With increasing levels of lycopene and lutein the consumption of encapsulated GSH decreased moderately, and high levels of β-carotene led to a more pronounced loss of GSH.

The data demonstrate that interactions between GSH and carotenoids may improve resistance of biological membranes towards lipid peroxidation. Different carotenoids exhibit specific properties, and the level for optimal protection varies between the carotenoids.     

Carotenoids of dragonflies,from the perspective of comparative biochemical and chemical ecological studies

Carotenoids of 20 species of dragonflies (including 14 species of Anisoptera and six species of Zygoptera) were investigated from the viewpoints of comparative biochemistry and chemical ecology. In larvae, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and fucoxanthin were found to be major carotenoids in both Anisoptera and Zygoptera. These carotenoids were assumed to have originated from aquatic insects, water fleas, tadpoles, and small fish, which dragonfly larvae feed on. Furthermore, β-caroten-2-ol and echinenone were also found in all species of larvae investigated. In adult dragonflies, β-carotene was found to be a major carotenoid along with lutein, zeaxanthin, β-caroten-2-ol, and echinenone in both Anisoptera and Zygoptera. On the other hand, unique carotenoids, β-zeacarotene, β,ψ-carotene (γ-carotene), torulene, β,γ-carotene, and γ,γ-carotene, were present in both Anisoptera and Zygoptera dragonflies. These carotenoids were not found in larvae. Food chain studies of dragonflies suggested that these carotenoids originated from aphids, and/or possibly from aphidophagous ladybird beetles and spiders, which dragonflies feed on. Lutein and zeaxanthin in adult dragonflies were also assumed to have originated from flying insects they feed on, such as flies, mosquitoes, butterflies, moths, and planthoppers, as well as spiders. β-Caroten-2-ol and echinenone were found in both dragonfly adults and larvae. They were assumed to be metabolites of β-carotene in dragonflies themselves. Carotenoids of dragonflies well reflect the food chain during their lifecycle.