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Phytonutrients (Lycopene)
Abstract
Phytonutrients are manufactured in pants where they are in turn utilized by humans to avoid various health issues. The production of these chemicals is often prevalent among plants such as vegetables and fruits. Phytonutrients may be classified into Terpenoids, Alkaloids and Phenolic depending on the chemical structure, phytonutrients are categories into different classes which include; Resveratrol, Epicatechin, Lycopene, and Lutein. Lycopene may be referred to as a bright red, fat-soluble phytonutrient that is often found in tomatoes and other fruits with red pigmentation. Lycopene is also fundamental to the growth and development of plants as it plays an essential role in the biosynthesis of various types of carotenoids. The chemical compound does this by interrupting any signals that are likely to prolong or promote the generation of cancerous tumors. Lycopene can limit or slow down the growth of prostate and breast cancer. This paper is aimed at highlighting the benefits of Lycopene to both plants as well as humans in general.
Introduction
Also referred to as phytochemicals, phytonutrients include a range of chemicals, usually produced by plants that are believed to have health benefits for both plant and animal species. Plants often utilize these phytonutrients to promote their health in their growth and development. Some of the benefits that plants are likely to derive from such chemicals include
Plants are a living organism of the kind exemplified by trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses, absorbing water and inorganics substances through its roots, and synthesizing nutrients in its leaves by photosynthesis using the green pigment chlorophyll (Oxford Dictionaries, 2015). Plants are the backbone of all life on Earth and an essential resource for human well-being (BGCI, 2015). For all forms of life, plants form the basic food staples. They are the major source of oxygen and food on earth since no animal is able to supply the components necessary without plants (Jennifer C, 2014). Plants make food – they are the only organisms that can convert light energy from the sun into food. Plants make oxygen – one of the materials that plants produce as they make food is oxygen gas for animals and people to stay alive. Plants provide habitats for animals – it is a primary habitat for thousands of other organisms. Plants help make and preserve soil – the roots of plants help hold soil together which help reduce erosion and helps conserve the soil. Plants provide useful products for people – many plants are important sources of product that people use, including food, fibres
Beta –carotene toxicity cases are rampant among smokers. Physicians advise active smokers to avoid these supplements as their intake results in increase risk of lung cancer. Scientists have asserted that metabolites elements present in the Beta-carotene substances destroy retinoic acids that repress cancer growth in the lungs (Gutiérrez, & Gonzalez, 2010). In addition, metabolites catalyze proteins responsible for cell division hence activates the growth of cancerous cells. It is for this reason that smokers are prohibited from taking Beta-carotene substances. Thus, Beta-carotene supplements are best suited for diabetic patients and vitamin A deficient individuals.
Purple corn is a Peruvian superfood with more antioxidants than blueberries. This corn contains many phytonutrients including large amounts of polyphenols and anthocyanins, which protect the blood vessels. Studies show that plants with high anthocyanins and phenolic constituents have the highest antioxidant activity. Anthocyanins are a type of complex flavonoid that plants give a blue, purple or red. Anthocyanins are acting anti-inflammatory and stimulate the regeneration of connective tissue.
Tomatoes are also high in beta-carotene. They can increase skin pigmentation while improving your overall health. Tomatoes are filled with antioxidants that can help fight
GREEN TOMATOES, in addition with its rich source of antioxidants and vitamin B, also contain an alkaloid called tomatine. This alkaloid fetches a protective shield against harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Tomatine serves as anti-carcinogenic agent and henceforth inhibits cancers related to breast, colon, stomach, and liver.
Chemotherapy is the most used drug or combination of drugs in the United States primarily to combat malignant tumors at the cost of even damaging the healthy cells. The purpose of chemotherapy is to either slow down or halt the spreading of the cancerous tumor. Yet, there is another way that is not widely used to fight against malignant tumors and that is the holistic approach. The holistic approach is showing promise to combat cancer and that is to eat organic fruits and vegetables, take natural supplements and to eliminate refined sugars and oils to name a few. With the two different ways to combat cancer in mind, it would be beneficial for cancer patients to use the holistic approach instead of chemotherapy since it does not damage any of
Lycopene influence on cell growth factor with 40% of suppression in cancerous cells at Mammary (MCF-7), Lungs (NCI-H226), Human Leukemia (HL-60) and also
Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is naturally found in grapes, peanuts, pomegranates, blueberries, pistachios and cranberries. Plants naturally produce it in order to fight off attack from harmful bacteria and microbes, to survive in times of drought or to compensate for times when the plant does not have adequate nutrients. Research suggests that one capsule a day may help in the fight against cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Other findings suggest that the nutrient helps to prevent insulin resistance in diabetics and keeps platelets in the blood from sticking together and forming clots. Vitrition Resveratrol is produced from only all-natural, healthy components to ensure you get the maximum
lower the risk of prostate cancer. These work by shrinking the prostate and stimulating the secretion of
The purpose of this lab is to see if black tea helps as a natural fertilizer to enhance the growth of the radish plants. In order for a seedling to grow into a healthy mature plant, it must have nourishments like water and nutrients. Tannic acid and nutrients are some of the nutritional ingredients in black tea, when these nutrients are added to soil it becomes a more habitable place for the seedlings to develop into plants. Tea leaves also have nitrogen in them, nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plants to grow.
Lycopene is a caroteniod. It has antioxidant properties and imparts the red pigment in fruits and vegetables. Lycopene is a fat soluble carotenoid and a precursor of b-carotene and has at least twice the antioxidant capacity of b-carotene. Epidemiological studies have indicated positive health benefits in consumption of diets high in lycopene. Since lycopene has value as a phytonutrient, many breeders want to maximize lycopene content in their breeding lines, and growers want to utilize production methods to increase lycopene content. Thus, simple and inexpensive assays to quantify lycopene are desirable prerequisites to developing produce with higher levels of this phytonutrient (Angela R. Davis, Wayne W. Fish and Penelope Perkins-Veazie,
Phaseolus vulgaris L., one of the varieties of the Vigna species, also known as green beans possess many health benefits and is also an alkaline vegetable which can be good for those people who are acidic. Its cardiovascular and antioxidant properties helps prevent oxidations of cholesterol which if not prevented will stick up and build up in blood vessel walls where and will then result to blockage of arteries leading to heart attack or worse, stroke. This beans can also help promote healthy colon by binding first to the cancer-causing toxins and promote their removal before they can produce harm to the colon cells. Moreover, this vegetable has the ability to prevent DNA damage and it is also beneficial to those who have arthritis, asthma
2014). Spirulina is one of the main sources of natural phycocyanin, which is used as a natural color in food products like chewing gums, candies, dairy products, jellies, ice creams, soft drinks and used as biochemical tracer in immunoassays(Gouveia et al. 2008). ß-carotene represents 70% of total carotenoids present in Spirulina which is equivalent to 53% more retinol equivalent than the amount present in carrots(Dey and Rathod
For centuries up until the present day, plants have given us so many things to our society. They can be used as food to give energy or to give cure for some illnesses. It has so many uses which is important for our daily living.
38 photosynthesis and prevention from photo oxidative stress [7]. Carotenoids are utilized as natural colorants and 39 value addition for juices as well as in animal feeds like poultry and fish [8]. Carotenoids applications have also 40 reached its arm in cosmetic industries [9]. The