Relationship between oxidative stress and aging or diseases has been received increasing attention. Carotenoids are known as phytochemicals with strong anti-oxidative activities against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and they are often applied to nutritional supplements or functional foods. We analyzed the reaction mechanism of carotenoids with ROS in detail by LC/PDA ESI-MS and ESR spectrometry and discovered paprika carotenoids show strong anti-oxidative activities against not only singlet oxygen but also hydroxyl radical. In addition, we found orally administrated paprika carotenoids dramatically increased carotenoid levels in human blood. In this review, the analysis of reaction mechanism of carotenoid with ROS and blood kinetics of paprika carotenoids are briefly described.

Geranylgeraniol is a natural isoprenoid derived from the mevalonate pathway and deoxyxylulose-phosphate pathway. This non-sterol isoprenoid is converted into geranylgeranyl diphosphate in animal cells and is then used as a substrate for protein prenylation by prenyltransferases and for the synthesis of menaquinone-4 from menadione by UbiA prenyltransferase domain-containing protein 1 (UBIAD1) prenyltransferase. More than 300 prenylated proteins have been identified in humans, which are involved in cell signaling during cell growth, differentiation, cytoskeletal function, and vesicle transport. Furthermore, GGOH also has protein prenylation-independent functions. In this review, we have summarized current information regarding GGOH, including the regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase—which is the rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway—modulation of brain function in ageing, suppression of inflammation, and enhancement of steroidogenesis in human and mammalian cells.

Seeds of Akebia quinata have been used as materials for edible oil at Akita Prefecture in Japan. Major ingredient of Akebia seed oil is 1,2-diacylglycero-3-acetate (DAGA). As compaired with triacylglycerol (TG), which is major ingredient of common vegetable oils, DAGA is hydrolyzed by lipases at lower rate. Therefore, DAGA is useful for prevention of both visceral fat accumulation and obese. To supply substantial amnounts of Akebia seed oil into the market, the cultivation of Akebia quinata have to be promoted in addition to the efficient use of its fruit and pericarp. We are working on these subjects through the industry-academia-government collaboration.

Useful lipids were surveyed in agricultural by-products. Apple pulp contained the highest amount of glucosylceramide and steryl glucoside. Sugar beet leaves contained the highest amount of α-linolenic acid. Among yeast species capable of synthesizing glucosylceramides, Lachancea kluyveri and Kluyveromayces lactis were selected for culturing in the medium based on beet molasses and cheese whey, respectively. K. lactis M-16 isolated from raw milk accumulates a high amount of steryl glucoside in the cells. Pseudozyma sp. TYC-2187, which efficiently converted crude glycerol into triglyceride, was identified, and the optimum culture conditions and the optimum medium composition for the yeast were determined. Additionally, we found it was possible to efficiently produce fatty acid methyl ester from Cryptococcus curvatus TYC-19, using beet molasses and cheese whey as culture medium and by homogenizing the cells after the addition of methanol to the cultured cells.

Humans hope to send a happy life with full of youngness and health. Aging is caused by multifactorial factors which come from environmental insults and intrinsic metabolic activities to produce energy in the cells. Age-associated changes seen in the face reflect aged and often age-related diseased alterations in other internal organs. Based on the new reports of the function of the skin, we introduce the importance of materials related to aging and anti-aging, in relevance to their functions and, present how we should protect ourselves against sun exposure. Further, our recent findings strongly indicate a pivotal role of antioxidants to prevent and retard the onset of skin photo-aging. Deep understanding of anti-aging strategies may make and keep people young and healthy till aged.