18 Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Applications of Carotenoids
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producer of natural lycopene, is around only 10% (Honda et al. 2017a). However,
recently, Licofarma S.r.l. (Galatina, Italia) has sold lycopene supplements appealing
high Z-isomer content. Since the functional study and manufacturing technique
development on lycopene Z-isomer have been carried out in recent years, further
demand for (Z)-lycopene is expected to increase.
18.2.4.2 β-Carotene
β-Carotene currently has two major applications, i.e., colorant for food products
and supplements. There is almost no food segments that does not use β-carotene as
a colorant. For example, the yellowish pigment, β-carotene, is used for beverages
such as fruit-based juices and carbonated drinks, margarine, ice cream, and so on.
The major concept of β-carotene supplement is based on the understanding that the
carotenoid has antioxidant activity and can reduce risk of some cancers. However,
several reports indicated that an excessive intake of β-carotene under certain circumstances such as smokers and workers exposed to asbestos may stimulate the development of cancer and the carotenoid act as a prooxidant (Albanes et al. 1996; Omenn
et al. 1996). Therefore, it is important to pay attention to its intake. As minor applications, β-carotene is used for a fertility increasing agent in animal feed (Folman et al.
1987) and an anti-wrinkle and natural bronzing agent in cosmetics (Kim et al. 2009).
The major source of β-carotene is chemical synthesis, but the shares of algae extraction, fermentation, and palm oil are increasing in recent years. β-Carotene from the
green halophilic alga Dunaliella sp. contains the 9Z-isomer in large quantity (sometimes, around 50% of total β-carotene isomers). Since the isomer would have higher
anti-atherogenesis and anti-atherosclerosis effects than the all-E-isomer (Harai et al.
2008; Relevy et al. 2015), the demand of supplements using Dunaliella sp. as the
β-carotene source has been expanding.
18.2.4.3 Astaxanthin
The greater part of the astaxanthin consumption has been the colorant for fish and
shrimp. Astaxanthin is widely found in aquatic animals and it has a major role in their
body color. However, since the aquatic animals cannot biosynthesize astaxanthin,
they need to take the pigment from diets. The consumers check the fish and shrimp
quality by pigmentation on them. Hence, the feeding of astaxanthin is very important.
As many governments support for promoting aquaculture, the demand of astaxanthin
has further growth potential as a pigment coloring agent. Moreover, multiple studies
demonstrated that dietary astaxanthin offers numerous health benefits for humans
such as brain health improvement and healthy vision, and thus the carotenoid is
often used for nutritional supplement. In addition, since astaxanthin may exert its
benefits on skin homeostasis, it is gaining popularity and acceptability in cosmetics
manufacturers and numerous wellness spa service providers.
461
producer of natural lycopene, is around only 10% (Honda et al. 2017a). However,
recently, Licofarma S.r.l. (Galatina, Italia) has sold lycopene supplements appealing
high Z-isomer content. Since the functional study and manufacturing technique
development on lycopene Z-isomer have been carried out in recent years, further
demand for (Z)-lycopene is expected to increase.
18.2.4.2 β-Carotene
β-Carotene currently has two major applications, i.e., colorant for food products
and supplements. There is almost no food segments that does not use β-carotene as
a colorant. For example, the yellowish pigment, β-carotene, is used for beverages
such as fruit-based juices and carbonated drinks, margarine, ice cream, and so on.
The major concept of β-carotene supplement is based on the understanding that the
carotenoid has antioxidant activity and can reduce risk of some cancers. However,
several reports indicated that an excessive intake of β-carotene under certain circumstances such as smokers and workers exposed to asbestos may stimulate the development of cancer and the carotenoid act as a prooxidant (Albanes et al. 1996; Omenn
et al. 1996). Therefore, it is important to pay attention to its intake. As minor applications, β-carotene is used for a fertility increasing agent in animal feed (Folman et al.
1987) and an anti-wrinkle and natural bronzing agent in cosmetics (Kim et al. 2009).
The major source of β-carotene is chemical synthesis, but the shares of algae extraction, fermentation, and palm oil are increasing in recent years. β-Carotene from the
green halophilic alga Dunaliella sp. contains the 9Z-isomer in large quantity (sometimes, around 50% of total β-carotene isomers). Since the isomer would have higher
anti-atherogenesis and anti-atherosclerosis effects than the all-E-isomer (Harai et al.
2008; Relevy et al. 2015), the demand of supplements using Dunaliella sp. as the
β-carotene source has been expanding.
18.2.4.3 Astaxanthin
The greater part of the astaxanthin consumption has been the colorant for fish and
shrimp. Astaxanthin is widely found in aquatic animals and it has a major role in their
body color. However, since the aquatic animals cannot biosynthesize astaxanthin,
they need to take the pigment from diets. The consumers check the fish and shrimp
quality by pigmentation on them. Hence, the feeding of astaxanthin is very important.
As many governments support for promoting aquaculture, the demand of astaxanthin
has further growth potential as a pigment coloring agent. Moreover, multiple studies
demonstrated that dietary astaxanthin offers numerous health benefits for humans
such as brain health improvement and healthy vision, and thus the carotenoid is
often used for nutritional supplement. In addition, since astaxanthin may exert its
benefits on skin homeostasis, it is gaining popularity and acceptability in cosmetics
manufacturers and numerous wellness spa service providers.