There are currently more than 600 carotenoids known, which can be divided into two categories, namely lutein containing oxygen atoms in the molecule, and carotenoids containing only carbon and hydrogen without oxygen atoms.
Carotenoids generally absorb blue light. There are two key roles in plants and algae: absorbing light energy for photosynthesis; protecting chlorophyll from photooxidation damage.
For the human body, 4 types of carotene, β-carotene, α-carotene, γ-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin (Cryptoxanthin), have vitamin A activity (that is, they can be converted into Retinaldehyde). These 4 and other carotenoids can also be used as antioxidants.
In the eyes, specific carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) are obviously the parts that directly absorb harmful blue and near-ultraviolet light, protect the macula, and have the clearest vision.
Forewords The functional components contained in Haematococcus pluvialis-the specific physicochemical properties of astaxanthin ester and free astaxanthin, the use of… Read more »Supercritical CO2 extraction of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis
Foreword Carotene, an orange fat-soluble compound, contains a large amount of β-carotene (C40H56). It is widely found in carrots, papayas,… Read more »Supercritical CO2 extraction separation and concentration of carotene
Forewords Astaxanthin, is a kind of terpene unsaturated compound, is pink, it is a kind of carotenoid. Astaxanthin has many… Read more »Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Astaxanthin from Crayfish Shell
About lycopene Lycopene is a berry pigment body synthesized by red pigment and stored in tomatoes. It is one of… Read more »Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Lycopene from Tomato
Foreword Carotenoid pigments are also called polyene pigments and polyterpene pigments. They are composed of 4 to 8 isoprene molecules… Read more »Supercritical extraction of carotenoid pigments