Metabolism of carotenoids and apocarotenoids during ripening of raspberry fruit.
Carotenoids are important lipophilic antioxidants in fruits. Apocarotenoids such as alpha-ionone and beta-ionone, which are breakdown products of carotenoids, are important for the flavor characteristics of raspberry fruit, and have also been suggested to have beneficial effects on human health. Raspberry is one of the few fruits where fruit ripening is accompanied by the massive production of apocarotenoids. In this paper, changes in levels of carotenoids and apocarotenoids during raspberry fruit ripening are described. In addition, the isolation and characterization of a gene encoding a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD), which putatively mediates the degradation of carotenoids to apocarotenoids during raspberry fruit ripening, is reported. Such information helps us to better understand how these compounds are produced in plants and may also enable us to develop novel strategies for improved apocarotenoid production in fruits or indeed, alternative production systems.
Beekwilder
Jules
J
Plant Research International, Wageningen, The Netherlands. Jules.beekwilder@wur.nl
van der Meer
Ingrid M
IM
Simic
Ana
A
Uitdewilligen
Jan
J
van Arkel
Jeroen
J
de Vos
Ric C H
RC
Jonker
Harry
H
Verstappen
Francel W A
FW
Bouwmeester
Harro J
HJ
Sibbesen
Ole
O
Qvist
Ingmar
I
Mikkelsen
Jørn D
JD
Hall
Robert D
RD
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D027824:Rosaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D050559:beta-Carotene 15,15'-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D002338:Carotenoids; D050559:beta-Carotene 15,15'-Monooxygenase