β-Carotene is the most commonly found of these compounds, accounting for 25–30% of the total carotenoid content of plants [6] or even more in some of them.
What is the most common carotenoid?
The most prevalent carotenoids in the human diet are α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin (8). Most carotenoids in foods are found in the all-trans form (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 above), although cooking may result in the formation of other isomers.
Where are carotenoids found in plants?
Within a plant cell, carotenoids are found in the membranes of plastids, organelles surrounded by characteristic double membranes. Chloroplasts are the most important type of plastid and they synthesize and store carotenoids as well as perform photosynthesis.
What are carotenes in plants?
Carotenoids are essential compounds along with chlorophylls in photosynthetic bacteria, algae, and plants and are involved in photosynthesis and photo-protection. Carotenoids harvest light energy and transfer this energy to chlorophylls through singlet–singlet excitation transfer.
Is Xanthophyll a carotenoid?
Xanthophylls are a class of oxygen-containing carotenoid pigments,4 responsible for the color of many of the yellow, orange, and red hues of flowers, fruits, vegetables (corn, pepper, etc.), egg yolks, and feathers, shells, or flesh of many animal species (flamingo, canary, shrimp, lobster, chicken, or salmonids).
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