Carotenoids in fish. XIX. Carotenoids in the eggs of Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum)

The author investigated the presence of various carotenoids in the eggs of Oncorhynchus keta by means of columnar and thin-layer chromatography. The investigations revealed the presence of the following carotenoids: canthaxanthin, lutein-epoxide, 4-hydroxy-4-keto-ß-carotene, tunaxanthin, astaxanthin ester and asterin acid. Astaxanthin ester comprised the greatest part, 67.8% of, all carotenoids.     

Carotenoids in fish. XX. Carotenoids in Salmo gairdneri rich. And Salmo trutta morpha fario L.

The author investigated the presence of various carotenoids in Salmo gairdneri Rich. and Salmo trutta morpha fario L. from the trout fish farm (artificial food) and from the river as the natural conditions (natural food).The findings of these investigations indicate that the trout bred in natural conditions are richer in carotenoids, provitamins of vitamin A, than are trout from the trout fish farm. In all probability the variety of food available in natural conditions provides better facilities for the accumulation of carotenoids in the body of trout in their natural habitat.     

Carotenoids in fish. XXIII. Syngnathidae family

The author investigated the presence of various carotenoids in three species of the Syngnathidae family by means of columnar and thin-layer chromatography. The investigations revealed the presence of the following carotenoids: canthaxanthin, lutein, lutein epoxide, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin (free and ester form) and 4-hydroxy-4-keto--carotene. Ketocarotenoids (astaxanthin and canthaxanthin) comprised the greatest part     

Carotenoids and UV protection.

Photooxidative processes play a role in the pathobiochemistry of various disorders of light-exposed tissue. After irradiation of skin with UV light, erythema (sunburn) is an initial effect suitable for monitoring the direct biological response. Carotenoids are efficient in photoprotection, scavenging singlet oxygen and peroxyl radicals. Intervention studies with supplements or a carotenoid-rich diet documented efficiency in systemic photoprotection, measuring a decreased sensitivity against UV-induced erythema. For successful intervention, treatment with carotenoids is needed for a period of at least ten weeks. An increased consumption of carotenoids may contribute to life-long protection against UV-induced damage.     

Carotenoids as cellular antioxidants.

Consumption of carotenoids is associated with an enhanced immune response and protection against neoplasia and atherosclerosis. Because these effects have been achieved using carotenoids with no pro-vitamin A activity, they are assumed to be due to the antioxidant properties of carotenoids. Carotenoids protect against photosensitized oxidation by quenching singlet oxygen. In addition, beta-carotene reacts chemically with peroxyl radicals to produce epoxide and apocarotenal products. To investigate the potential significance of these reactions to biological systems, we have used soybean lipoxygenase to generate peroxyl radical enzymatically. beta-Carotene inhibits the oxidation of linoleic acid by soybean lipoxygenase as well as the formation of the hydroperoxide product. In addition, the absorption of beta-carotene is diminished (bleached) by soybean lipoxygenase. The potential significance of these antioxidant reactions of carotenoids to biological function is discussed.     

Carotenoids in fish II. Carotenoids and vitamin A in some fishes from the coastal region of the Black Sea

The presence of various carotenoids and vitamin A in seven species of fish from the coastal region of the Black Sea was investigated by means of columnar and thinlayer chromatography. The investigations revealed the presence of the following carotenoids: Mugil auratus: ß-carotene, canthaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin ester and astacene. Diplodus annularis: ß-carotene, canthaxanthin, tunaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and astacene. Diplodus sargus: ß-carotene, tunaxanthin, lutein, taraxanthin, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin. Crenilabrus tinca: tunaxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein, astaxanthin and astacene. Blennius sphinx: ß-carotene, χ-carotene (?), lutein, tunaxanthin, taraxanthin and astaxanthin. Blennius sanguinolentus: ß-carotene, tunaxanthin and astaxanthin (ester and free). Gobius melanostomus: ß-carotene and astacene. Some fractions were not identified. Vitamin A was found in all species investigated.     

Carotenoids in fish. XVIII--carotenoids in the brain of some fishes

Using column and thin-layer chromatography the occurrence of various carotenoids was studied in the brain of some (11) fishes. In result of the analyses the presence of the following carotenoids has been established: beta-zeacarotene, canthaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, alpha-cryptoxanthin, isocryptoxanthin, lutein, lutein-5,6-epoxide, zeaxanthin, isozeaxanthin, tunaxanthin, flavoxanthin, astaxanthin ester, 4-hydroxy-alpha-carotene, 4-keto-alpha-carotene and unknown xanthophylls.     

Carotenoids in gymnosperms

The presence of 14 leaf carotenoids was studied in 26 species of gymnosperms. Rhodoxanthin was present in all the species of the Taxaceae, Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae.     

Carotenoids of the dinophyceae

The carotenoids of the photosynthetic dinofiagellates Amphidinium carterae (two strains), Glenodinium sp.,Gymnodinium splendens, G. nelsoni and Gyrodinium dorsum have been investigated, quantitatively and qualitatively. Peridinin is the principal carotenoid in all species; also present are β-carotene, diadinoxanthin, dinoxanthin, pyrrhoxanthin, astaxanthin, peridininol, diatoxanthin and pyrrhoxanthinol. New structures have been assigned to dinoxanthin and pyrrhoxanthin while peridininol and pyrrhoxanthinol are new carotenoids not previously reported. A carotenoid glycoside, P-457, found in four species, is a hexoside. Dinoxanthin is the only, plausible biosynthetic precursor of peridinin that could be detected.     

Carotenoids in representatives of the cladoniaceae

The carotenoids characteristic of lichen species of the subgenera Cladina and Cladonia are β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein epoxide     

Motility and fertilizing capability of cryopreserved Acipenser ruthenus L. sperm

Motility before and after cryopreservation of Acipenser ruthenus sperm was determined by computer-assisted sperm motion analysis (CASA). In addition, fertility of fresh and frozen/ thawed sperm was tested by in vitro fertilization. Sperm of A. ruthenus was successfully cryopreserved by 1/1 (v/v) dilution with ethylene glycol in final concentrations from 12.5% to 20%. Stepwise cooling using a programmable freezer and fast thawing in a water bath (40°C) for 3 s and 5 s, respectively, resulted in motility rates of 10% to 28% and fry yields of 44% to 94% compared to controls (fresh sperm). With fresh material, different sperm to egg ratios varying from 10³: 1 to 10⁶: 1 gave similar fertilization rates of more than 90%. Using this cryopreservation method the establishment of sperm banks for endangered sturgeon species and the development of a fertility test for seasonally independent testing seem to be possible.     

Biosynthesis of Carotenoids in Brevibacterium sp. KY-4313

The biosynthesis of 4-keto and 4,4′-diketo carotenoids in Brevibacterium sp. KY-4313 was studied. Echinenone and canthaxanthin were isolated from the cultures grown on a medium containing several n-alkanes. When glutathione was added to the bacterial cultures, the formation of canthaxanthin was inhibited while β-carotene and its hydroxy derivatives accumulated. It is suggested that these 4-hydroxy compounds, isocryptoxanthin, isozeaxanthin, and 4-hydroxy-4′-keto-β-carotene, are intermediates in the biosynthesis of canthaxanthin. In the presence of 2-(4-chlorophenylthio)-triethylamine hydrochloride or nicotine, lycopene and neurosporene accumulated. The β-carotene level decreased slightly but β-zeacarotene remained unchanged. β-carotene and its derivatives were resynthesized upon removal of the inhibitors. It was concluded that cyclization can take place at either the neurosporene or lycopene level in Brevibacterium sp. KY-4313.     

Carotenoids in Yellow-Pigmented Enterococci

Pigments extracted from three strains of yellow enterococci showed the spectral and solvent partition characteristics of carotenoids. An unusual C(32) carotenoid aldehyde appears to predominate.