Challenges and Opportunities in the Sustainable Improvement of Carrot Production.

From an agricultural perspective, carrots are a significant tap root vegetable crop in the family because of their nutritional value, health advantages, and economic importance. The edible part of a carrot, known as the storage root, contains various beneficial compounds, such as carotenoids, anthocyanins, dietary fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients. It has a crucial role in human nutrition as a significant vegetable and raw material in the nutraceutical, food, and pharmaceutical industries.

β-Ionone: Its Occurrence and Biological Function and Metabolic Engineering.

β-Ionone is a natural plant volatile compound, and it is the 9,10 and 9',10' cleavage product of β-carotene by the carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase. β-Ionone is widely distributed in flowers, fruits, and vegetables. β-Ionone and other apocarotenoids comprise flavors, aromas, pigments, growth regulators, and defense compounds; serve as ecological cues; have roles as insect attractants or repellants, and have antibacterial and fungicidal properties.