| Compound | Description |
|---|
| lycopene | A carotenoid and red pigment produced by tomatoes, other red fruits and vegetables, and photosynthetic algae. It is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of other carotenoids, and has antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, radioprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. |
| beta carotene | A carotenoid that is a precursor of VITAMIN A. Beta carotene is administered to reduce the severity of photosensitivity reactions in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (PORPHYRIA, ERYTHROPOIETIC). |
| zeaxanthin | |
| lutein | A xanthophyll found in the major LIGHT-HARVESTING PROTEIN COMPLEXES of plants. Dietary lutein accumulates in the MACULA LUTEA. |
| alpha-carotene | RN given refers to (all-E)-isomer; see also related record beta-carotene |
| antheraxanthin | RN given refers to cpd without isomeric designation |
| zeinoxanthin | structure in first source |
| cryptoxanthins | Mono-hydroxylated xanthophylls formed from the hydroxylation of BETA-CAROTENE. Isomers include: beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-cryptoxanthin, and zeinoxanthin. The alpha- and beta-cryptoxanthin are provitamin A precursors. |
| neoxanthin | one of the main carotenoids in chloroplasts of higher plants and algae; RN given refers to (9'-cis)-isomer |
| violaxanthin | a carotene epoxide that is precursor to capsanthin; one of 3 xanthophylls involved in evolution of plastids of green plants (oxygen evolution); 3 (violaxanthin, zeaxanthin & antheraxanthin) participate in series of photo-induced interconversions known as ''violaxanthin cycle''; structure; cleavage of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoids (violaxanthin) to xanthoxin, catalyzed by 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, is the key regulatory step of ABSCISIC ACID biosynthesis |