Antioxidant activity of carotenoids.
Carotenoids are pigments which play a major role in the protection of plants against photooxidative processes. They are efficient antioxidants scavenging singlet molecular oxygen and peroxyl radicals. In the human organism, carotenoids are part of the antioxidant defense system. They interact synergistically with other antioxidants; mixtures of carotenoids are more effective than single compounds. According to their structure most carotenoids exhibit absorption maxima at around 450 nm. Filtering of blue light has been proposed as a mechanism protecting the macula lutea against photooxidative damage. There is increasing evidence from human studies that carotenoids protect the skin against photooxidative damage.
Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie I, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, PO Box 101007, D-40001 Düsseldorf, Germany. wilhelm.stahl@uni-duesseldorf.de
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D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000517:prevention & control; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D013473:Sunscreening Agents
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D002338:Carotenoids; D010100:Oxygen