| Abstract: | The 9-cis-isomers of antheraxanthin (3S,5R,6S)-5,6-epoxy-5,6- dihydro-β, β-carotene-3,3′-diol] and lutein epoxide (3S,5R,6S, 3′R,6′R)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β, ε-carotene-3,3′-diol] were found to occur without their 9′-cis counterparts in the non-photosynthetic tissues of several higher plants. 9-cis-lutein (3R,3′R,6′R)- β,ε-carotene-3,3′-diol], on the other hand, was observed together with its 9′-cis counterpart in the samples investigated. The qualitative distribution of carotenoids is also reported. |
