ABSTRACT
Bioactive pigments majorly found in plant kingdom are carotenoids, betalains and flavonoids, including anthocyanins. Significantly, all these pigments are present in vegetables in various concentrations. Lycopene is another important carotenoid found in a limited number of vegetables. Chemically, it is also a terpenoid hydrocarbon without any rings at the end of its structure. Xanthophylls are yellow pigments that are widely found in nature. The most important physiological function of carotenoids in human nutrition is provitamin A activity. This activity, the occurrence of an unsubstituted ß ring with a C11 polyene chain is the minimum requirements. Osteoporosis is a major public health problem in elderly people. Aging bone induces osteoporosis. Properties of xanthophylls for protecting eyes are considered to be associated with their antioxidant activities. Lutein and zeaxanthin, the major xanthophylls, are selectively accumulated in the macular region of the eye. Betalains are another class of bioactive secondary metabolite, commonly found in plants in the order of caryophyllales in plant kingdom.
