About this Research Topic

Background

Carotenoids are a diverse group of pigments that occur naturally in plants, algae, bacteria, fungi, and some arthropods. They are responsible for the bright red, yellow, and orange hues in many fruits and vegetables. These compounds play a crucial role in the photosynthetic process and enable plants to capture light energy. Carotenoids play also an important role in the nutrition and health of animals and are just as important for humans. They are known to play a role in the prevention of chronic diseases, mainly due to their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Β-carotene for instance, a precursor to vitamin A, is important for vision, immune function, and skin health. Lutein and zeaxanthin are crucial for eye health and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, while lycopene is associated with a lower risk of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer.

The importance of carotenoids extends beyond individual health and overlaps with broader global health and sustainability goals. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), emphasize the need for safe diets and the promotion of health and well-being for all. Promoting the consumption of carotenoid-rich foods with a low environmental footprint is also in line with efforts to promote sustainable food practices in the context of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Ensuring an adequate dietary intake of carotenoids not only helps to prevent nutrient deficiencies and related diseases but also supports efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition worldwide and leads to less dependence on resource-intensive animal products, thus contributing to environmental sustainability.

In summary, integrating knowledge of carotenoids into public health policies and dietary guidelines can advance these objectives and promote a healthier, more sustainable future. To achieve this, it is crucial to identify the dietary sources of carotenoids and understand their metabolism, and how processing, and the valorization of animal products as carotenoid-rich sources might affect their utilization.

The aim of this research topic is to collect scientific articles on the following research aspects:

Carotenoids in plants and processing technologies
• Use of biowaste for carotenoid extraction to obtain new products with high added value.
• Green methods of carotenoid extraction (including microwave, ultrasound-assisted extraction, pulsed electric field and UV radiation) from plant material and algae.
• Effects of food processing and cooking on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of carotenoids.
• Unique carotenoid compounds and derivatives in plant material and algae.

Carotenoids in animal products and feed
• Carotenoids in animal products and their bioavailability.
• Utilization of carotenoids in animal nutrition and increasing the nutritional value of animal products.

Carotenoids in human nutrition
• Carotenoid food sources, absorption, stability, bioavailability and their physiological functions in the human body.
• The importance of the bioavailability aspect of carotenoids in modulating the gut microbiota and their health benefits in chronic diseases.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Carotenoids, Antioxidant, Bioavailability, Green Extraction, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Chronic Disease Prevention, Human Nutrition, Animal Nutrition, Health

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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