Microbes are the collection of tiny organisms that live in various cavities of the human body, including a massive number of bacteria, fungi, bacteriophages, eukaryotic viruses, and fungi. Most of them are symbiotic or alternate microorganisms. The collection of all gut microbial genes (that is, the microbiome) in one person represents a genetic pool whose number of genes is an order of magnitude higher than that of the human genome. Most microbes live in the human intestines and are affected by feeding methods, lifestyles, drugs, and host genetics. The gut microbiome plays an important role in improving host immunity, food…

What are carotenoids? Carotenoids are yellow, orange-red, or red polyene substances that are widely present in nature. They were discovered in carrots, hence the name. The human body cannot synthesize carotenoids, so they are mainly obtained through food. Fruits and vegetables are the main food sources of carotenoids. Carotenoids are composed of 8 isoprenoid units and can be divided into two categories: carotenes and xanthophylls based on their molecular composition. The former contains only two elements of hydrocarbons and hydrogen, while the latter is an oxygen-containing derivative of the former, containing one or more oxygen atoms to form hydroxyl, carbonyl,…