Carotenoids

Abby J. Cuttriss, Christopher I. Cazzonelli, Eleanore T. Wurtzel, Barry J. Pogson*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    65 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Carotenoid pigments provide fruits and flowers with distinctive red, orange and yellow colours as well as a number of aromas, which make them commercially important in agriculture, food, health and the cosmetic industries. Carotenoids comprise a large family of C 40 polyenes that are critical for the survival of plants and animals alike. β-carotene and its derivatives contain unmodified β-ionone groups, which serve as precursors for vitamin A and are therefore essential dietary components for mammals. Significant progress has been made towards producing staple food crops with elevated provitamin A carotenoids, an important first step in alleviating worldwide vitamin A deficiency. Recent insights into the regulatory processes that control carotenoid composition and content may further advance biofortification projects.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAdvances in Botanical Research
    PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
    Pages1-36
    Number of pages36
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

    Publication series

    NameAdvances in Botanical Research
    Volume58
    ISSN (Print)0065-2296

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