ABSTRACT
Carotenoids are implicated in alleviating ageing and age-related diseases in humans. While data from different carotenoids are mixed in their outcomes, those for 9-cis-ß-carotene indicate general positive effects, although basic data on its biological impact are limited. Here, we show that supplementation with 9-cis-ß-carotene in ageing Drosophila melanogaster improved mitochondrial function in terms of ATP production and whole-body respiration and extended mean lifespan. It also resulted in improved mobility. These data provide a potential biological rational for the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with 9-cis-ß-carotene. These effects may be based on the maintenance of a sound mitochondrial function.
Subject(s)
Chlorophyceae/chemistry , Drosophila melanogaster/drug effects , Mitochondria/drug effects , beta Carotene/pharmacology , Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism , Animals , Female , Locomotion/drug effects , Longevity/drug effects , Male , Mitochondria/metabolism , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Stereoisomerism , beta Carotene/chemistry , beta Carotene/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
The halotolerant microalga Dunaliella salina has been widely studied for natural ß-carotene production. This work shows biochemical characterization of three newly isolated Dunaliellasalina strains, DF15, DF17, and DF40, compared with D. salina CCAP 19/30 and D. salina UTEX 2538 (also known as D. bardawil). Although all three new strains have been genetically characterized as Dunaliella salina strains, their ability to accumulate carotenoids and their capacity for photoprotection against high light stress are different. DF15 and UTEX 2538 reveal great potential for producing a large amount of ß-carotene and maintained a high rate of photosynthesis under light of high intensity; however, DF17, DF40, and CCAP 19/30 showed increasing photoinhibition with increasing light intensity, and reduced contents of carotenoids, in particular ß-carotene, suggesting that the capacity of photoprotection is dependent on the cellular content of carotenoids, in particular ß-carotene. Strong positive correlations were found between the cellular content of all-trans ß-carotene, 9-cis ß-carotene, all-trans α-carotene and zeaxanthin but not lutein in the D. salina strains. Lutein was strongly correlated with respiration in photosynthetic cells and strongly related to photosynthesis, chlorophyll and respiration, suggesting an important and not hitherto identified role for lutein in coordinated control of the cellular functions of photosynthesis and respiration in response to changes in light conditions, which is broadly conserved in Dunaliella strains. Statistical analysis based on biochemical data revealed a different grouping strategy from the genetic classification of the strains. The significance of these data for strain selection for commercial carotenoid production is discussed.
