Our research has shown the carotenoid pigment to be found in the cell membrane of C. poinsettiae. These results suggest that the pigment is bound to protein and that protein tertiary structure is important in the binding.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the site of the carotenoid pigments in C. spp. strain 7E1C as a step towards resolving the role of the pigment in the cell.

Carotenoid pigments in W. dermatitidis, the first pathogenic, dematiaceous fungus in which carotenoid pigments nave been reported, are located primarily (81%) in lipid organelles which floated on the surface of the supernatant fraction of lysed cells. Pigment in this fraction could be extracted with ethyl ether without prior treatment with acetone indicating the pigment is unbound in the lipid organelle. Eight percent remains after exhaustive ether extraction and is recovered after the sample is treated with acetone indicating this fraction is non-covalently bound to proteins in the membranes associated with the lipid organelle. The remaining pigment (about 12%) represents contamination of the supernatant with the lipid organelles.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o aproveitamento do hidrolisado de cascas de mandioca para produção de pigmentos carotenoides. Para isso, foi realizado o isolamento de leveduras provenientes da Região Amazônica, caracterização das cascas de mandioca e obtenção dos hidrolisados por via ácida (HA) e enzimática (HE). Por fim, foram avaliados o efeito da relação C:N e da luminosidade sobre a produção de carotenoides pelas leveduras previamente selecionadas nos hidrolisados. Os extratos carotenogênicos foram caracterizados quanto ao potencial anti-oxidante e antimicrobiano, sendo ainda avaliado o uso da biomassa seca como agente pigmentante em um material polimérico. Foram isoladas sete colônias pigmentadas (4 do solo, 2 de água e 1 de fruto), as quais foram identificadas como pertencentes ao gênero Rhodotorula. Com relação as cascas de mandioca, o principal componente em % m/m foi o amido (71,0), seguido da lignina (13,0), glucana (4,6), xilana (2,4), cinzas (2,6) e extrativos (4,6). Na melhor condição de hidrólise ácida (1% H2SO4, 10% sólidos, 120 min), foi obtido 48 g/L de glicose, o que correspondeu a uma eficiência de 67%. Já para a hidrólise enzimática (3000 U Termamyl 2X, 240 U AMG XXL, 14% sólidos, 65 min) obtevese 80,8 g/L de glicose, correspondendo a uma eficiência de 79,5%. Nas condições de cultivo empregando HA ou HE contendo cerca de 50,0 g/L de glicose sem qualquer suplementação (pH inicial 6,0, temperatura de 30ºC, agitação de 200rpm e na presença de luminosidade) foi possível selecionar a cepa Rh S2 no HA e a Rh RNA no HE, as quais apresentaram, respectivamente (12,7 g/L e 7,6 mg/L) e (22,8 g/L e 11,2 mg/L) de biomassa e carotenoides totais. O maior potencial antioxidante foi obtido com a cepa Rh S2 que apresentou cerca de 30% de redução do radical DPPH sendo que ambos extratos apresentaram ação anti-microbiana frente à Escherichia coli e Aspergillus fumigatus. Quanto as propriedades mecânicas do compósito formulado com a biomassa seca da cepa Rh S2, ficou demonstrada a possibilidade do uso desta biomassa como agente pigmentante em resinas poliméricas. Estes resultados revelam o grande potencial das leveduras selecionadas para a produção de carotenoides a partir de um subproduto da agroindústria, ressaltando ainda suas importantes propriedades biológicas e de pigmentação, as quais poderão ser exploradas em diferentes aplicações. / The present work had as objective the utilization of the hydrolyzate of cassava peels for the production of carotenoid pigments. For this, the yeast from the Amazon region was isolated, characterizing the cassava peels and acid hydrolysates (HA) and enzymatic (HE). Finally, the effect of the C: N ratio and the luminosity on carotenoid production by the selected yeasts in the hydrolysates were evaluated. Carotenogens extracts are characterized as antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, and the use of dry biomass as a pigment agent in a polymeric material is also evaluated. Seven pigmented colonies (4 soil, 2 water and 1 fruit) were isolated, as were the communities as individuals belonging to the genus Rhodotorula. Compared with cassava peels, the main component in% by weight of starch (71.0), followed by lignin (13.0), glucan (4.6), xylan (2.4), ashes (26) and extractives (4.6). The acid hydrolysis condition (1% H2 SO4, 10% solids, 120 min) was 48 g/L glucose, corresponding to an efficiency of 67%. Already for an enzymatic hydration (3000 U Termamyl 2X, 240 U AMG XXL, 14% solids, 65 min), 80.8 g/L of glucose was obtained, corresponding to an efficiency of 79.5%. In the ingestion conditions using HA or HE of about 50.0 g/L of glucose without any supplement (initial pH 6.0, temperature of 30 ° C, agitation of the presence light) it was possible to select the strain Rh S2 in HA and Rh RNA is not HE, as it is today (12.7 g/L and 7.6 mg/L) and (22.8 g/L and 11.2 mg/L) biomass and total carotenoids. The highest antioxidante potential was obtained with the Rh S2 protein which had about 30% reduction of the DPPH radical, with both extracts being moved against the microbiota against Escherichia coli and Aspergillus fumigatus. Regarding the mechanical properties of the compound formulated with a dry biomass of the strain Rh S2, the possibility of the use of this biomass as pigment agent in polymer resins has been demonstrated. This research was useful to increase the potential of selected yeasts for the production of carotenoids from a by-product of agroindustry, highlighting their historical and pigmentation characteristics, such as the ports explored in different applications.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / O descarte na indÃstria de pescado, inclusive o de carapaÃas de crustÃceos, constitui um percentual bastante elevado. Estas cascas sÃo ricas em pigmentos carotenÃides, os quais, apresentam um alto valor de pigmentaÃÃo, sendo corrente em alguns paÃses a extraÃÃo e posterior utilizaÃÃo dos mesmos em raÃÃes. O objetivo deste experimento foi estudar a extraÃÃo dos pigmentos carotenÃides das cascas de camarÃo e verificar seu potencial de uso como aditivo natural de cor em um produto à base de pescado. Neste estudo foram desenvolvidos testes preliminares para escolha de um mÃtodo para a extraÃÃo dos pigmentos optando-se pela extraÃÃo com solvente. Caracterizou-se ospigmentos extraÃdos das cascas de camarÃo e avaliou-se a influÃncia do extrato pigmentado aplicado em um produto à base de pescado, o qual foi embalado à vÃcuo e sem vÃcuo e submetido à uma estocagem (-20ÂC) durante um perÃodo de60 dias. A cor dos produtos foi medida a cada 15 dias no sistema CIE determinando-se os parÃmetros de L*, a* e b*. A anÃlise espectrofotomÃtrica do extrato de camarÃo apresentou produtos de degradaÃÃo da astaxantina. Os produtos pigmentados com o extrato de camarÃo e embalados à vÃcuo apresentaram valores de luminosidade (L*) menores (p < 0,05) que os embalados sem vÃcuo com 15 e 45 dias de armazenamento. Para o componente de intensidade de cor amarela (b*) os produtos embalados à vÃcuo apresentaram valores maiores (p<0,05) no inÃcio do armazenamento (0 dias) e menores (p<0,05) com 45 dias de armazenamento, em relaÃÃo Ãqueles embalados sem vÃcuo. Contudo, no perÃodo de 60 dias de armazenamento nÃo foi observado efeito significativo da embalagem à vÃcuo sobre as caracterÃsticas de cor dos produtos. / Waste material in the fish industry including the shells from the crustacean, constitute a very high percentage. These shells are rich in carotenoids pigments, which may have a high pigmentation value when used in foods. It is common in some countries the use of the extracted pigments in feeds.The aim of this experiment was to study the process of carotenoids extraction and to verify its pigmenting potential in a minced fish food product. The solvent extraction technique was used after testing other extraction procedures. Extracted pigments were characterized by spectrophotometry. Pigments were then included in the fish formulation. Fish products were packaged with and without vacuum and storage in the dark at â20ÂC for 60 days. The color of the products was measured every 15 days with the CIE system which determines parameters L*, a* and b*. The spectrophotometry study showed products of degradation of astaxanthin in the shell extract. The luminosity (L*) of the color in products packaged under vacuum was lower (p<0.05) with 15 and 45 days of storage than in those stored without vacuum. Vacuum packaged products showed that with 0 days of storage the yellowness component (b*) was higher (p<0.05) in vacuum packaged products than in those stored without vacuum. The reverse occurring with 45 days of storage. After 60 days frozen storage vacuum packaging did not affect the color characteristics of the fish product.

Darwin's theory of sexual selection explains the existence of sexual dimorphism, or within-species sex differences in shape, color, size, and behavior. In some cases, sexually dimorphic traits, especially extravagant male ornaments, seem maladaptive and thus in opposition to natural selection. The crux of Darwin's theory was that sexual selection arises from individual differences in reproductive success that result from competition for mates. In this dissertation, I investigated several aspects of sexual selection and the evolution of female mating preferences and male ornaments in the great frigatebird (Fregata minor). Frigatebirds as a group (family Fregatidae) are the most ornamented of any seabirds, and are among the most ornamented of any animal group. Their most prominent ornament is a gular (throat) pouch which becomes red in males during the breeding season, and which is inflated and displayed to females during courtship. Male courtship display also includes a warble vocalization and extension and trembling of the wings. I investigated the following issues concerning sexual selection and ornamentation in great frigatebirds: 1) the source of ornamental coloration in male great frigatebird gular pouches. I determined that this was a carotenoid-based color display; 2) the relationship of male mating success to gular pouch size and coloration. I determined that mating success was not related to the size or color of this ornament; 3) the relationship between male vocal display traits and female preferences. Again, I found no relationship between vocal display traits and female preferences, and finally, 4) the role of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus in female mate choice. The MHC is a highly polymorphic multi-gene family associated with immune defense and has been proposed to play a role in mate choice. I found a significant disassortative mating pattern amongst mated pairs compared to random pairings based on MHC genotypes. In summary, I found no evidence for female mating preferences based on visual or auditory display traits associated with male ornamentation. However, I did find evidence for female mating preferences based on genetic dissimilarity at an MHC locus.

PINHO, Erotéide Leite de. Extração de pigmentos carotenóides da carapaça do camarão e sua utilização em um produto derivado de pescado. 2001. 48 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos, Fortaleza-CE, 2001 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-06-03T13:54:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2001_dis_elpinho.pdf: 379735 bytes, checksum: 56d523219601d0f6243134cbd8534ed3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-06-03T13:55:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2001_dis_elpinho.pdf: 379735 bytes, checksum: 56d523219601d0f6243134cbd8534ed3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-03T13:55:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2001_dis_elpinho.pdf: 379735 bytes, checksum: 56d523219601d0f6243134cbd8534ed3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2001 / Waste material in the fish industry including the shells from the crustacean, constitute a very high percentage. These shells are rich in carotenoids pigments, which may have a high pigmentation value when used in foods. It is common in some countries the use of the extracted pigments in feeds.The aim of this experiment was to study the process of carotenoids extraction and to verify its pigmenting potential in a minced fish food product. The solvent extraction technique was used after testing other extraction procedures. Extracted pigments were characterized by spectrophotometry. Pigments were then included in the fish formulation. Fish products were packaged with and without vacuum and storage in the dark at –20ºC for 60 days. The color of the products was measured every 15 days with the CIE system which determines parameters L*, a* and b*. The spectrophotometry study showed products of degradation of astaxanthin in the shell extract. The luminosity (L*) of the color in products packaged under vacuum was lower (p<0.05) with 15 and 45 days of storage than in those stored without vacuum. Vacuum packaged products showed that with 0 days of storage the yellowness component (b*) was higher (p<0.05) in vacuum packaged products than in those stored without vacuum. The reverse occurring with 45 days of storage. After 60 days frozen storage vacuum packaging did not affect the color characteristics of the fish product. / O descarte na indústria de pescado, inclusive o de carapaças de crustáceos, constitui um percentual bastante elevado. Estas cascas são ricas em pigmentos carotenóides, os quais, apresentam um alto valor de pigmentação, sendo corrente em alguns países a extração e posterior utilização dos mesmos em rações. O objetivo deste experimento foi estudar a extração dos pigmentos carotenóides das cascas de camarão e verificar seu potencial de uso como aditivo natural de cor em um produto à base de pescado. Neste estudo foram desenvolvidos testes preliminares para escolha de um método para a extração dos pigmentos optando-se pela extração com solvente. Caracterizou-se ospigmentos extraídos das cascas de camarão e avaliou-se a influência do extrato pigmentado aplicado em um produto à base de pescado, o qual foi embalado à vácuo e sem vácuo e submetido à uma estocagem (-20ºC) durante um período de60 dias. A cor dos produtos foi medida a cada 15 dias no sistema CIE determinando-se os parâmetros de L*, a* e b*. A análise espectrofotométrica do extrato de camarão apresentou produtos de degradação da astaxantina. Os produtos pigmentados com o extrato de camarão e embalados à vácuo apresentaram valores de luminosidade (L*) menores (p < 0,05) que os embalados sem vácuo com 15 e 45 dias de armazenamento. Para o componente de intensidade de cor amarela (b*) os produtos embalados à vácuo apresentaram valores maiores (p<0,05) no início do armazenamento (0 dias) e menores (p<0,05) com 45 dias de armazenamento, em relação àqueles embalados sem vácuo. Contudo, no período de 60 dias de armazenamento não foi observado efeito significativo da embalagem à vácuo sobre as características de cor dos produtos.