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CAROTENOID PIGMENTS IN THE INTEGUMENT OF THE STARFISH MARTHASTERIAS GLACIALIS (L)
Author(s) -
VEVERS H. G.,
MILLOTT N.
Publication year - 1957
Publication title -
proceedings of the zoological society of london
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0370-2774
DOI - 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1957.tb00281.x
Subject(s) - astaxanthin , carotenoid , pigment , starfish , chemistry , xanthophyll , absorption (acoustics) , integument , lutein , carotene , chromatography , absorbance , botany , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , materials science , ecology , composite material
Summary.1 The carotenoids of the aboral integument of Marthasterias glacialis were separated by phase partition and chromatography. Their light absorption was examined spectrophotometrically. 2 Eight fractions were isolated, three epiphasic and five hypophasic. The epiphasic fractions were identified as β‐carotene, esterified astaxanthin and a pigment with a single absorption maximum at 451/52 mμ. (in n ‐hexane) which was probably a keto‐carotenoid. The hypophasic pigments were lutein, free astaxanthin and three fractions which were not identified, but whose chromatographic behaviour and light absorption suggest that they might be derivatives of astaxanthin. 3 No vitamin A was found. 4 The results are discussed in relation to the distribution of carotenoid pigments and photosensitivity among starfishes.