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
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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.
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