Nutraceuticals are defined as substances that are either food or are part of the food that imparts health or medical benefits. Substance like carotenoids or polyphenols like anthocyanidins, catechins, flavonoids, tannins etc are known for their nutraceutics properties [1]. Carotenoids are known for their anti-oxidant property, capability to modulate immune system, free-radicals scavengers, protection from UV radiations, Pro-vitamin A activity and many other beneficial biological properties which could be exploit for the pharmaceutical purposes. Further, epidemiological studies have already proved that the carotenoids protect the humans from number of diseases like cardiovascular disease [3-6]. Lycopene, beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin are commercially exploited by nutraceuticals industry as these carotenoids are used in a range of food products, cosmetics, vitamin supplements, feed additives for poultry, livestock, fish and crustaceans [8-9]. For humans health, beta-carotene along with supplementation of canthaxanthin was used for the patients suffering from erythropoietic protoporphyria to reduce some of the deleterious effects of light [2]. Beta-carotene is also known to inhibit the progressive carcinogenic pathways [12]. Certain cancers like oral, mammary tumors, skin cancers were reduced [11]. Lycopene quench the reactive oxygen species; that damages various types of macromolecules of the cells. It also protects cell lipids, lipoproteins, proteins and DNA from oxidative damage [13]. It is also known to play a role against atherosclerosis and the potential in reducing LDL cholesterol [6,10]. Lycopene consumption in the form of the processed tomato is the most effective way to to reduce the risk of prostate cancer [13,14]. In vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that the lycopenes may inhibit growth of breast, lung, cervical, ovarian and pancreatic tumors [15]. Lycopene were also shown to suppress insulin-like growth factor-I-stimulated growth, which is a major hormonal regulator of mammary and endometrial cancer cell growth [16]. Additionally, lutein and zeaxanthin are believed to reduce the probability of acquired diseases like macular degeneration, cataract and coronary heart diseases. It also help in improving eye sight as they absorb blue light thereby often recommended to the eye patients by ophthalmologists [4,5,11]. Epidemological studies showed that intake of leutin reduced the risk of certain cancers like endometrial and ovarian cancers. Apart from these cancers, Cervical, breast and laryngeal cancer may also be prevented with a high dietary lutein intake[11].Carotenoids can also be taken as supplements to reduce inflammation especially astaxanthin as it is known as anti-inflammatory and work against inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2), interleukin 1 beta(IL-1 beta), nitric oxide (NO), Cox-2 enzyme and nuclear factor kappa-B [7]. Hence, carotenoids are used as a part of whole foods or taken as supplements to improve the human health.
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