New findings suggest a hidden dietary compound may help the body resist oxidative stress and protein damage tied to aging.
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A largely overlooked plant compound found in common fruits and vegetables is drawing new scientific attention for its potential effects on aging and brain health.
A little-known nutrient found in everyday fruits and vegetables may be doing far more in the body than scientists once believed.
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
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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.
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.
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“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.
“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.
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