Carotenoids provides an introduction to the fundamental chemistry of these important compounds, detailed accounts of the basic methods used in carotenoid research, and critical discussions of the biochemistry, functions and applications of carotenoids.

This volume is the newest release in the authoritative series of quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes to be used for planning and assessing diets for healthy people. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) is the newest framework for an expanded approach developed by U.S. and Canadian scientists. This book discusses in detail the role of vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and the carotenoids in human physiology and health. For each nutrient the committee presents what is known about how it functions in the human body, which factors may affect how it works, and how the nutrient may be related to chronic disease. Dietary Reference Intakes provides reference intakes, such as Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), for use in planning nutritionally adequate diets for different groups based on age and gender, along with a new reference intake, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), designed to assist an individual in knowing how much is "too much" of a nutrient.

The carotenoids are not only amongst the most widespread of the naturally occurring groups of pigments, but probably also have the most varied functions; witness their known roles in photokinetic responses of plants, in phototropic responses of fish and as vitamin A precursors in mammals and birds. Pigments with such wide distribution and such diverse functions are obviously of great interest to biological scientists with very different specializa tions, especially as it is unlikely that the study of the functions of carotenoids is anywhere near complete. The primary aim of the present work is to discuss the distribution, bio genesis and function of the carotenoids throughout the plant and animal kingdoms in such a way that, because of, rather than in spite of its bio chemical bias, it will be of value to workers interested in all the biological aspects of these pigments. The biochemical approach is considered the most effective because, generally speaking, most progress in the study of carotenoids in living material has been achieved using biochemical techniques, be they applied by zoologists, botanists, entomologists, microbiologists or other specialists; what is even more important is that a consideration of the present position makes it certain that further fundamental progress will also be made along biochemical lines.

Carotenoids: Properties, Processing, and Applications fills the gap of transfer knowledge between academia and industry, covering integral information in three critical dimensions: properties, recovery and applications. At the moment, carotenoid research is directed at particular applications, including colorants, antioxidants and recovery from plant processing by-products. These trends take into account the health, nutrition and functions of carotenoids, the new recovery efforts from underutilized sources, the extraction procedures using green solvents and technologies, and their sustainability aspects. Written by a team of experts in the field of food chemistry, food science and technology, as well as bioresource technologists mainly from academia, the book covers the most recent advances in the field of carotenoids, while also analyzing the potential of already commercialized processes and products. - Covers carotenoids' properties in view of alternative sources (plant by-products, microalgae, etc.), recovery technologies and applications - Thoroughly explores mechanistic aspects, dietary intake and recommendations surrounding the health-promoting effects of carotenoids - Discusses the effect of processing and storage conditions in carotenoid levels and bioavailability - Presents applications and case studies in the food industry

The Carotenoids book series provides an introduction to the fundamental chemistry, detailed accounts of the basic methods used in carotenoid research, and critical discussions of the biochemistry, functions and applications of carotenoids. The use of carotenoids against diseases is discussed. This volume is to be used in conjunction with the Carotenoids book series and the Carotenoids Handbook.

The objective of the Handbooks program is the preparation of critical reviews and evaluations of evidence on the cancer-preventive and other relevant properties of a wide range of potential cancer-preventive agents and strategies by international working groups of experts. In this volume on carotenoids their chemical and physical characteristics, occurrence, production, use, analysis and human exposure, metabolism, kinetics and genetic variation are studied, as well as their cancer-preventive effects, other beneficial effects, carcinogenicity and other toxic effects. A summary of data and recommendations for research are provided at the end.

0. ISLER Chemical Research Department, F. Hoffmann-LaRoche&Co. Ltd., Basle, Switzerland A. General Remarks . . . 12 B. Historical Development 13 C. Scope and Limitations 15 D. Vitamins A and Provitamins A . 15 E. Carotenoids as Natural Colouring Matters . 19 F. Other Natural Pigments and Related Compounds. 21 G. Nomenclature . . . 22 H. Lists of Carotenoids 24 I. Acknowledgments 25 References . . . . . . 25 0. ISLER 12 A. General Remarks The brightly coloured carotenoid pigments have aroused the curiosity of scientists since the beginning of organic chemistry. Indeed some of the oldest studies were published during the early 19th century. Research on carotenoids can be separated into four broad periods according to the selection of problems and the methods of attacking them. During the 19th century, the emphasis was on isolation of the pigments and their characterization by measurements of light absorption. The second period (1900-1927) centred on the determination of empirical formulae and on tentative efforts to discover a role in photosynthesis. The third period (1928-1949) was dominated by the provitamin A concept, by establishing structural formulae and developing synthetic methods. The latest period (1950 to the present) has seen an expo nential increase in the number of known carotenoids accompanied by notable advances in total synthesis and in the determination of absolute configura tions. The recent explosive growth in knowledge has in no small part been due to new separation methods (e. g."