Past, Present and Future of Carotenoids Research

Carotenoids usually are tetraterpenes formally comprised of 8 isoprene blocks, linked in such a way that the arrangement of isoprenoid units is inverted at the molecule center so that the 2 central CH3-R groups are in a 1,6-position, while the residual non-terminal methyl groups are in a 1,5-position leading to a symmetrical molecule usually β-carotene. Carotenoids are the most studied of natural food colors, largest group of secondary metabolites and organic products. They especially slow down the development of those chronic diseases which are mediated by inflammation and oxidation mechanisms. They improve cognitive and neuronal functions, memory and ocular health, shield integrity of genomic DNA, stimulating neuronal regeneration, and strengthening the immune system. Advancement in the interdisciplinary fields of chemical and life sciences has provided important information about carotenoids. Although their positive effects on health have been proved by epidemiological, cell cultures, animal, and human studies, however observational studies suggesting likely relations between carotenoids ingestion and chronic diseases should be consolidated by proper exposure-evaluating procedures (i.e., consumption, metabolism, excretion, and bioavailability markers). The researchers must know basic chemistry and analytical techniques of carotenoids as efficacy studies should be augmented by rigorous analytical data and carotenoid constituents. The future research should comprise prospective clinical trials to evaluate the degree of absorption and metabolism to institute dose-response associations.