Biology, Chemistry and Applications of Apocarotenoids

Carotenoids are a large class of isoprenoid pigments produced by plants and certain microbes. More than 700 naturally occurring carotenoids have been identified. Apocarotenoids are tailored from carotenoids by oxidative enzymes. Apocarotenoids act as visual or volatile signals to attract pollinating and seed dispersal agents. They are also the key players in allelopathic interactions and plant defense. Biology, Chemistry and Applications of Apocarotenoids provides detailed account of the fundamental chemistry of apocarotenoids and the basic methods used in carotenoid research, and critical discussions of the biochemistry, functions, and applications of these important compounds. Topics covered in the proposed book include various aspects of the roles of apocarotenoids in colour and colouration, photosynthesis and other photofunctions and protection. The formation and roles of carotenoid metabolites and breakdown products as perfume/aroma compounds are also be outlined.

Features:

• Provides an organized overview of apocarotenoids and their chemistry and biological functions
• Focuses on recent discoveries on apocarotenoids, their nature and functions.
• Details potential uses of apocarotenoids in agriculture, pharmacy, food industry, and apocarotenoid production at industrial level

This book has been written by leading experts in apocarotenoid research and gives a comprehensive overview on the diversity of apocarotenoid compounds and would serve as a reference book for researches in Plant Physiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Medicine.

Contents

Preface...............................................................................................................................................vii

About the Editors...............................................................................................................................ix

Contributors.......................................................................................................................................xi

Chapter 1 Biology and Chemistry of Apocarotenoids...................................................................1

Margarita Aguilar-Espinosa, Víctor Manuel Carballo-Uicab,

and Renata Rivera-Madrid

Chapter 2 Natural Sources of Apocarotenoids and Their Applications.......................................11

Jonathan Dzib-Cauich, Rosa Us-Camas, and Renata Rivera-Madrid

Chapter 3 Apocarotenoid Molecules Are Continuously Being

Discovered in all Taxa.................................................................................................41

Renata Rivera-Madrid and Siva Ramamoorthy

Chapter 4 Unravelling Apocarotenoid Biosynthesis Pathways: Transcriptomic

Tools for Gene Discovery............................................................................................59

David Chan-Rodriguez and Renata Rivera-Madrid

Chapter 5 Apocarotenoids: Natural Anti-Ageing Agents............................................................73

Leepica Kapoor and Siva Ramamoorthy

Chapter 6 An Approach to Vitamin A and Retinoids and Their Importance

in Human Health.........................................................................................................89

Víctor Manuel Carballo-Uicab, Rosa Us-Camas, and Renata Rivera-Madrid

Chapter 7 Epoxy Carotenoid and Its Importance: A review......................................................101

Hebron Kirubai Raj and Siva Ramamoorthy

Chapter 8 Anticarcinogenic Effect of Apocarotenoids..............................................................127

Yair Cárdenas-Conejo and Edith E. Uresti-Rivera

Chapter 9 An Overview of the Role of Abscisic Acid (ABA):

From Plants to Humans.............................................................................................149

Rosa Us-Camas, Margarita Aguilar-Espinosa, and Renata Rivera-Madrid

Chapter 10 C13 α-Ionol (Blumenol) Glycosides and C14 Mycorradicin:

Apocarotenoids Accumulating in Roots during the Arbuscular

Mycorrhizal Symbiosis.............................................................................................173

Michael H. Walter

Chapter 11 Strigolactones: Nutrient Stress Hormones Affecting Plant Development

and Biotic Interactions..............................................................................................189

Michael H. Walter

Index .................................................................................................................................... 213