Carotenoids in food

Karotenoidi su lipofilni pigmenti odgovorni za crvenu, narančastu i žutu boju voća i povrća. U prirodi postoje karotenoidi različite kemijske strukture, no svima je zajednički polienski lanac s višestrukim konjugiranim dvostrukim vezama. Imaju brojne biološke funkcije od kojih su najvažnije pretvorba u vitamin A, antioksidativno te fotoprotektivno djelovanje. Ističu se i po brojnim blagotvornim učincima na zdravlje. U radu je opisana kemijska struktura karotenoida, biološke funkcije, biodostupnost i metabolizam, prisutnost u hrani te učinci na zdravlje čovjeka.Carotenoids are lipophilic pigments responsible for red, orange and yellow color of fruits and vegetables. In nature, there are structurally different carotenoids, with common features such as polyenic chain with multiple conjugated double bonds. Carotenoids have numerous biological functions among which the most important is conversion to vitamin A, antioxidative and photoprotective activity. They also stand out for their numerous beneficial effects on human health. The thesis describes the chemical structure of carotenoids, biological function, bioavailability and metabolism, presence in food and health effects