| Synonyms: |
(3S,3'S)-3,3'-dihydroxy-beta,beta-carotene-4,4'-dione,
(3S,3'S)-astaxanthin,
3,3'-dihydroxy-beta,beta-carotene-4,4'-dione,
3,3'-dihydroxy-beta-carotene-4,4'-dione,
all-trans-(3S,3'S)-astaxanthin,
Astaxanthin,
astaxanthine,
E 161j,
ovoester
|
| Definition: |
A carotenone that consists of beta,beta-carotene-4,4'-dione bearing two hydroxy substituents at positions 3 and 3' (the 3S,3'S diastereomer). A carotenoid pigment found mainly in animals (crustaceans, echinoderms) but also occurring in plants. It can occur free (as a red pigment), as an ester, or as a blue, brown or green chromoprotein. |