Antioxidant activities of carotenoids in mangoes
A mango’s rich, yellow-orange flesh color contributes more than
just a beautiful hue to the tropical fruit. Colour pigments,
termed Carotenoids, are responsible for the characteristic
colour of mango.
Carotenoids have very diverse roles in biological
functions of animals and plants including provitamin A
activity, antioxidant activity, cell communication, immune function
enhancement, UV skin protection, accessory pigments for light
harvesting, and protection against photo-oxidative damage.
Carotenoids, which impart yellow, orange, and/or red colors to many
fruits, have antioxidant health properties which it can help in
preventing the free radical damage. Thus, carotenoids have been
noted as being the most abundant micronutrients found in
cancer-preventative foods. Antioxidants help to repair damage to
the body caused by free radicals, which can contribute to a
range of health problems including cancer, diabetes and heart
disease.
The action of carotenoids against diseases has been attributed to
antioxidant properties, especially their ability to quench singlet
oxygen and interact with free radicals which take part in modulation of
carcinogen metabolism, inhibition of cell proliferation, enhancement of
cell differentiation, stimulation of cell to cell communication.
Carotenoids comprise the colorful pigments of many fruits. Some of
these, such as beta carotene, alpha carotene, and beta cryptoxanthin,
are precursors of vitamin A. Vitamin A is needed for eyesight and nerve
health.
