PubMed · 14944274
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
V WALLACE, J W PORTER. 1952. Phytofluene.. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-9861(52)90434-7
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
Decaprenoxanthin (DPXT) is an unusual bacterial C50 carotenoid that has historically received limited attention despite its well-defined structure. For decades, carotenoid research and industrial development have been dominated by C40 carotenoids, leaving longer-chain carotenoids largely overlooked. Recent discoveries, particularly from microorganisms inhabiting Antarctic and other extreme environments, have repositioned DPXT as an adaptive pigment shaped by intense environmental pressures. Its extended polyene chain and membrane-associated behavior suggest roles in membrane stabilization and protection against ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress, features that may hold relevance for food and biotechnological applications. This review integrates historical and recent knowledge on DPXT, covering its structural characteristics, biosynthetic pathways, ecological function, and emerging technological relevance. Special attention is given to microbial sources, particularly Actinomycetota from extreme environments, and to recent advances in microbial genomics, metabolic engineering, and sustainable bioprocess development that enable the production and exploration of C50 carotenoids beyond their native extremophilic context. The analysis highlights DPXT as a representative example of stress-resilient carotenoids, with physicochemical and membrane-interacting properties that may offer advantages for future food and biotechnological systems. Although significant challenges remain in cultivation strategies, yield optimization, and downstream recovery, advances in microbial cell factories and green extraction technologies open new opportunities for valorizing C50 carotenoids. This review bridges extremophile microbiology, carotenoid biochemistry, and sustainable food innovation, positioning DPXT as an emerging molecule that may expand the functional and structural landscape of carotenoids relevant to food science.
The photosynthetic machinery of Spirulina maxima was studied when subjected to induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) to examine the organism's responses to stress. Significant decreases in both photosynthetic efficiency and growth rate were observed. Exposure to 0.01 mmol H(2)O(2)/(g cell), which induced the lowest specific intracellular ROS level (siROS) led to a 15% decrease in specific growth rate; an increase in siROS by 70-fold led to a 25% decrease in specific growth rate. Similarly, siROS induced by 0.01 mmol H(2)O(2)/(g cell) led to 15% inhibition in photosynthetic efficiency, while an increase in siROS by 40- or 70-fold led to about 60% inhibition in photosynthetic efficiency. To further understand the effects of induced ROS on photosynthetic machinery, we performed a detailed pigmentation analysis as well as analyzed Phycobilisomes (PBS), Photosystem II (PSII), and Photosystem I (PSI), the three important components of cyanobacterial photosynthetic apparatus. We found carotenoids (beta-carotene and lutein) to be most sensitive to siROS. Also, specific levels of phycocyanin and allophycocyanin, which are important PBS pigments, decreased significantly in response to H(2)O(2). Further, electron transport assays revealed that ROS cause damage primarily to PSII, whereas they do not significantly affect PSI in comparison; siROS induced by 0.01 mmol H(2)O(2)/(g cell) led to a 15% inhibition of PSII, and increase in siROS by 9-, 40-, and 70-fold led to 22%, 36%, and 46% inhibition, respectively.
The total carotenoid content was determined of tubers from 38 Solanum phureja lines grown in field plots over 3 years. The results indicated a significant difference between years, but the ranking was similar from year to year and the interaction between season and variety was small. Postharvest storage significantly reduced the carotenoid content of the tubers, and reducing the storage temperature further lowered the carotenoid content. Examination of the individual carotenoids revealed that lutein was the most stable and least likely to be reduced, while the levels of the carotenoids derived from beta-carotene were significantly reduced during storage at either temperature. Exposure of the tubers to either mercury or sodium lights resulted in a significant increase in total carotenoid content, concomitant with elevated chlorophyll. Although both types of radiation produced a broadly similar increase in total carotenoid contents, differential effects on the individual carotenoid profile of the light-induced carotenoids were observed.