CAROTENOIDS BIOSYNTHETIC

PATHWAY

PRESENTED BY: MADHU NATH

Carotenoids are a family of isoprenoid molecules that are widespread in nature.

They are responsible for the typical yellow, orange, and red colours of most fruits, flowers, and vegetables, and for the characteristic colours of many birds, insects, fish, and crustaceous in taking carotenoids through the diet.

It is found in Chloroplast & Chromoplast of Plants & photosynthetic bacteria(Cyanobacteria).

Carotenoids are the precursor of Vitamins A & are powerful antioxidants that helps in preventing some form of cancer and heart diseases.

INTRODUCTION

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Carotenoids are tetraterpenoids i.e. they are produced from 8 isoprene molecules & contain 40 carbon atoms.

All Carotenoids demonstrate a basic structure which consist of a hydrocarbon chain of varying length & varying types of end groups.

Carotenoids contains a conjugated backbone composed of isoprene units.

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE

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STRUCTURES OF COMMON CAROTENOIDS

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CAROTENOID BIOSYNTHETIC PATHWAY

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In higher plants, carotenoids also acts as accessory pigments in the light-harvesting antennae of chloroplast, transferring energy to chlorophylls, and as precursors for biosynthesis of the phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA), which controls abiotic stress signalling pathways, and strigolactone, which controls lateral shoot growth.

Important role of carotenoids in higher plants is as colouring agents in flowers and fruits to attract pollinators and agents of seed dispersal.

In mammalians, including humans, carotenoids species containing a beta- ring can be converted into retinal (visual pigment), retinol (Vitamin A), and retinoic acid ( a substance that control morphogenesis).

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF CAROTENOIDS

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In human health are attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in vivo, which help to prevent certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, light- induced erythema, and diseases of eye such as cataract and muscular degeneration.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF CAROTENOIDS

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www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

www.genome.jp

www.sciencedirect.com

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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