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Carotenoids
Family of >700 lipid-soluble plant pigments (yellow, orange, red), about 50 of which have provitamin A activity, including β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Also: Lutein, Lycopene, Zeaxanthin, β-carotene
β-Carotene is cleaved centrally by BCO1 to two retinaldehyde molecules; eccentric cleavage by BCO2 yields apocarotenoids with independent signaling roles. BCO1 genotype affects β-carotene-to-retinol conversion efficiency. Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in macular pigment and are protective against age-related macular degeneration (AREDS2). Lycopene from tomatoes is the dominant antioxidant carotenoid in plasma and is studied for prostate cancer.
How each textbook covers it
duyff-complete-food-and-nutrition-guide-5e
Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 32: Carotenoids
β-Carotene is cleaved centrally by BCO1 to two retinaldehyde molecules; eccentric cleavage by BCO2 yields apocarotenoids with independent signaling roles. BCO1 genotype affects β-carotene-to-retinol conversion efficiency. Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in macular pigment and are protective against age-related macular degeneration (AREDS2). Lycopene from tomatoes is the dominant antioxidant carotenoid in plasma and is studied for prostate cancer.
Related terms
AMD, AREDS, Retinol, Vitamin A