DEINOXANTHIN - A NEW CAROTENOID ISOLATED FROM DEINOCOCCUS RADIODURANS

We have previously demonstrated that carotenoids which support the col or of the red pigmented strains of Deinococcus radiodurans could be re sponsible for the antioxidant activity of these bacteria submitted to hydroxy radicals. Here we report on the isolation and identification o f the major carotenoid of this bacterium. Based on UV/Vis-, H-1 NMR- a nd mass spectra as well as the chemical properties the carotenoid was identified as 4'-didehydro-1',2'-dihydro-beta,psi-carotene-4-one 1. Th is carotenoid has never been isolated before and we propose the name d einoxanthin for this new compound. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd