In the present paper, trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) and theoretical calculations have been used to study carotenoid geometrical motifs generated by photoisomerization from the all-trans geometry. Multiple geometric isomers of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin were separated using TIMS (R > 110) for [M]+, [M + H]+, and [M – 18]+ molecular species. Comparison of observed cross sections with those obtained from molecular dynamics calculations showed that the number of cis double bonds and s-cis single bonds in the polyene chain determine the topology space of the carotenoid. The intensities of IMS signals are correlated with the relative stability of these geometric isomers.1,2 The most stable isomer is the all-trans geometry regardless of the ionization state ([M – 18]+, [M]+, and [M + H]+), and structural stability decreases with the increasing number of cis and/or s-cis bonds in the polyene chain.

Problem The responses of subjects taking a 20 mg/day lutein diacetate supplement were compared with that for a 20 mg/day crystalline lutein or a placebo. Methods Ten subjects, assigned to each of three groups, lutein diacetate (group 1), lutein (group 2), and a placebo (group 3), were supplemented for 24 weeks. Groups 1 and 2 consumed a dose equivalent to 20 mg per day of free lutein. Serum samples, collected at baseline, and at weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24 were analyzed by HPLC. Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) was obtained by heterochromatic flicker photometry at baseline and weeks 6, 12, 18 and 24.. Results The average serum lutein concentrations for weeks 6 to 24 expressed as a ratio to the baseline value (±SD) were 5.52 ± 2.88 for group 1, 4.43 ± 1.61 for group 2, and 1.03 ± 0.25 for group 3. The median rate of macular pigment increase (milli‐absorbance units/week) for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 2.35, 1.55, and 0.19 mAU/wk, respectively. P‐values for these serum and MPOD increases are both highly significant when compared to placebo. Conclusions The average serum response was ~25% higher for group 1 compared with group 2 and, the median MPOD response was 52% higher for group 1 than group 2. P‐values calculated for the differences in these increases were, p = 0.066, marginally significant, for serum, and p = 0.09 approaching significance, for MPOD. Financial Support: Industrial Organica S.A. de C.V.

No abstract

No abstract

IntroductionMosquitofish from The Bahamas, Gambusia hubbsi, and south Florida, Gambusia rhyzophorae, were observed to exhibit yellow‐orange coloration in their dorsal fins. Extracts from dorsal fins were analyzed by HPLC and a number of the pigments have been identified as carotenoids or carotenoid derived species.MethodsDorsal fins were extracted with hexane/acetone and the resulting solution concentrated under nitrogen. Extracts were analyzed by resolution in methanol/acetonitrile and chromatography using reversed phase C‐18 HPLC coupled with UV/visible detection at 450 nm was used to separate the components.ResultsAnalysis of extracts obtained from dorsal fins of 3–5 animals provided sufficient amounts of pigment for HPLC detection. Typical extracts are dominated by polar components and include lutein, epoxy carotenoids, and apo‐carotenals. In several samples a component was detected that exhibits a spectrum consistent with 3‐hydroxy‐10’‐apo‐carotenal.ConclusionPresence of 3‐hydroxy‐10’‐apo‐carotenal in the dorsal fins of mosquitofish appears to be consistent with CMO2 (carotenoid monooxygenase II) expression and carotenoid cleavage in the tissue. The function 3‐hydroxy‐10’‐apo‐carotenal may have in the fin is not immediately apparent but its unique presence suggests that it has an important role.