Natural compound, good for you, in popular fruits and veggies
By University of Seville
Researchers from the University of
Seville and the University of Kent report
that phytoene, a colorless carotenoid present in foods like tomatoes, carrots,
oranges, and peppers, can extend lifespan and protect against key processes
linked to Alzheimer’s disease, at least in a widely used laboratory
model.
Their experiments in the tiny worm Caenorhabditis
elegans showed lifespan increases of 10 to 18.6 percent, along with a
30 to 40 percent reduction in the toxic effects caused by amyloid-β42, the
protein associated with brain plaque formation in Alzheimer’s.
Rethinking an Overlooked Compound
Phytoene has long been overlooked. Unlike better-known
carotenoids such as beta-carotene or lycopene, it does not give foods their
bright colors and has often been treated as an inactive precursor rather than a
functional compound.
The research, part of Ángeles Morón Ortiz’s doctoral work,
tested both purified phytoene and extracts derived from microalgae,
specifically Chlorella sorokiniana and Dunaliella
bardawil. These extracts, which contained high levels of phytoene,
performed just as well as the pure compound. Importantly, the treatments did
not interfere with the worms’ growth or food supply, suggesting the benefits
were not due to reduced calorie intake or stress.
Further experiments revealed how phytoene may be working.
The compound improved resistance to oxidative stress, a process driven by
unstable molecules that damage cells and contribute to aging and diseases such
as cancer and neurodegeneration. At certain doses, survival under oxidative
stress increased by as much as 53 percent. This aligns with what scientists
already know about carotenoids, which can neutralize harmful molecules or
activate the body’s own defense systems.
The Alzheimer’s-related findings are also significant. In
the worm model, amyloid-β42 buildup leads to progressive paralysis. Animals
given phytoene showed a clear delay in this effect, indicating protection
against protein aggregation, one of the hallmarks of the disease.
“These are very exciting preliminary results, so we are looking for funding to continue this line of research and to find out by what mechanisms these effects are produced,” said Dr. Paula Mapelli Brahm.
Nutritional and Environmental Implications
Phytoene may also be important from a nutritional
perspective. Some studies suggest that people consume more phytoene daily than
many other carotenoids, and it accumulates in tissues throughout the body,
including the skin. There is also evidence that it may help protect against
ultraviolet radiation, adding to its potential health value.
The study highlights microalgae as a promising and
sustainable source of this compound. Unlike traditional crops, microalgae grow
rapidly, require little land, and can produce high concentrations of beneficial
molecules. They are already used in supplements and food ingredients, and their
role in future nutrition is expanding as demand rises for both healthier and
more environmentally friendly food systems.
From Worms to Human Health
While the results come from a simple organism, C.
elegans has been central to major scientific breakthroughs, including
discoveries related to aging, gene regulation, and cell death. Findings in this
model often guide early-stage research in humans.
The researchers emphasize that more work is needed to
confirm whether the same effects occur in people.
Building on these findings, the team has already begun
exploring its effects beyond lifespan and neurodegeneration. In a more recent
study, they again used C. elegans to examine how phytoene
and related carotenoids influence the organism’s skin-like outer layer.
They found that phytoene-rich microalgae extracts improved
epidermal integrity and significantly strengthened the worm’s protective
barrier, suggesting potential applications in skin health and aging.
The team has also begun exploring phytoene’s potential in
other disease areas. In early-stage experiments using
human cell models, phytoene-rich extracts showed protective effects against
oxidative damage and signs of modest anti-tumor activity in colorectal cancer
cells.
References: “Phytoene and Phytoene-Rich Microalgae Extracts
Extend Lifespan in C. elegans and Protect against Amyloid-β Toxicity in an
Alzheimer’s Disease Model” by Ángeles Morón-Ortiz, Antonis A. Karamalegkos,
Paula Mapelli-Brahm, Marina Ezcurra and Antonio J. Meléndez-Martínez, 30 July
2024, Antioxidants.
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13080931
“Effects of lutein, phytoene and carotenoid-rich microalgal
extracts on the epidermis of Caenorhabditis elegans” by Ángeles Morón-Ortiz,
Mar Ferrando-Marco, Antonio León-Vaz, Rosa León, Paula Mapelli-Brahm, Michalis
Barkoulas and Meléndez Martínez, Antonio Jesús, 11 November 2025, Food
Chemistry.
DOI:
10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.147022
“Preliminary Assessment of the Protective and Antitumor
Effects of Several Phytoene-Containing Bacterial and Microalgal Extracts in
Colorectal Cancer” by Gloria Perazzoli, Cristina Luque, Antonio León-Vaz,
Patricia Gómez-Villegas, Rocío Rengel, Ana Molina-Márquez, Ángeles Morón-Ortiz,
Paula Mapelli-Brahm, José Prados, Consolación Melguizo, Antonio
Meléndez-Martínez and Rosa León, 21 October 2024, Molecules.
DOI:
10.3390/molecules29215003
