IN-SITU RESONANCE RAMAN-SPECTRA OF CAROTENOIDS IN BIRDS FEATHERS

Micro resonance Raman spectra of a series of synthetic carotenoids and of a large number of bird's feathers which contain various kinds of c arotenoids were analysed on the basis of the effective conjugation coo rdinate (ECC) theory. The data obtained on parrots provide the first s tructural data on the chemical nature of the pigments embedded in thei r feathers, and show that these pigments are unmethylated polyene mole cules. Data on the molecular orientation of the carotenoids and on the presence of different pigments in the same feather are presented and discussed.