1 Research Geneticist. 2 Assistant Food Scientist. 3 Biological Technician. 4 Associate Horticulturist. Hoffman-La Roche kindly contributed samples of pure zeaxanthin for this research. Kevin O'Connor of Waters, Inc., provided invaluable guidance
photoprotection and light-harvesting ( Demmig-Adams et al., 1996 ). In conditions of excess light, reversible de-epoxidation of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin occurs as a means of photoprotection through NPQ. Conversely, in reduced light conditions, zeaxanthin is
The six primary carotenoids found in most plant species include zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, β-carotene, and neoxanthin ( Sandmann, 2001 ). Carotenoids are pigments integrated into light-harvesting complexes of chloroplasts that
precursors to vitamin A, which has a significant role in vision, in maintaining a healthy immune system, and in regulation of gene expression during growth and development ( Britton, 2009 ). Two xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin, are present in the retina
, via phytoene synthase ( Gross, 1991 ). The carotenoid pathway branches at the cyclization reactions of lycopene to produce carotenoids with either two β-rings (e.g., β-carotene, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin) or carotenoids
; Brown et al., 1993 ; Lu et al., 2001 ). The primary tuber carotenoids are xanthophylls: zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, violanxanthin, neoxanthin, and lutein ( Andre et al., 2007 ; Brown et al., 1993 ; Lu et al., 2001 ). The carotenoid biosynthetic
normally associated with higher light intensities ( Hogewoning et al., 2010 ). Xanthophyll carotenoid pigments, specifically zeaxanthin (ZEA), can modulate blue light-dependent responses in plants ( Tlałka et al., 1999 ). Moreover, ZEA is believed to be an
have motivated plant geneticists to develop yellow-fleshed cultivars with more intense yellow coloring. The pigments in these potatoes are xanthophylls and include the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids are of keen interest in the
Lutein and zeaxanthin are becoming established as carotenoids beneficial for protection against common age-associated eye diseases. Thus, 15 potato (Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum L.) breeding lines, cultivars Atlantic, Spunta, and Yukon Gold; and orange flesh OR-4 were surveyed for carotenoid profiles. Seven carotenoids, including violaxanthin, neoaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoaxanthin, and β-carotene, were identified in the 19 genotypes. Violaxanthin and lutein were the prominent carotenoids detected in all genotypes studied. Neoaxanthin and antheraxanthin were found in 26% and 63% of the genotypes, respectively. β-Cryptoaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene were found in only 5%, 10%, and 16% of the genotypes, respectively. Lutein varied from 19.8 to 119.0 μg·100 g-1 fresh weight across the 15 white- or yellow-flesh breeding lines. In contrast, zeaxanthin was detected at a low level in only one breeding line and at high level in OR-4. The three cultivars had profiles typical of yellow-flesh potatoes `Spunta' and `Yukon Gold'; while `Atlantic' had a typical white-flesh profile and a trace of zeaxanthin. The carotenoid baseline data established in this study provide information for activities to enhance potato for lutein and zeaxanthin.
zeaxanthin (ZEA) from ChromaDex, Irvine, CA]. Statistical analyses. Data sets were analyzed using the General Linear Model procedure in SAS (version 9.2; SAS Institute, Cary, NC). The relationship between experimental dependent variables and N treatments were