Recent Advancements and Biotechnological Implications of Carotenoid Metabolism of Brassica

Carotenoids were synthesized in the plant cells involved in photosynthesis and photo-protection. In humans, carotenoids are essential as dietary antioxidants and vitamin A precursors. Brassica crops are the major sources of nutritionally important dietary carotenoids. Recent studies have unraveled the major genetic components in the carotenoid metabolic pathway in Brassica, including the identification of key factors that directly participate or regulate carotenoid biosynthesis. However, recent genetic advances and the complexity of the mechanism and regulation of Brassica carotenoid accumulation have not been reviewed. Herein, we reviewed the recent progress regarding Brassica carotenoids from the perspective of forward genetics, discussed biotechnological implications and provided new perspectives on how to transfer the knowledge of carotenoid research in Brassica to the crop breeding process.

Automated summary

Carotenoids are synthesized in plant cells involved in photosynthesis and photo-protection. In humans, carotenoids are essential as dietary antioxidants and precursors of vitamin A. Brassica crops are the main sources of important dietary carotenoids. Recent studies have identified key components in the carotenoid metabolic pathway of Brassica, but the complexity of the mechanism and regulation of carotenoid accumulation in Brassica has not been comprehensively reviewed. This article provides a review of recent progress in Brassica carotenoids from a forward genetics perspective, discusses the biotechnological implications, and proposes new perspectives on transferring carotenoid research knowledge to crop breeding.