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THE FUNCTION OF CAROTENOIDS IN A PHOTOCHROMOGENIC BACTERIUM*
Author(s) -
Wright L. J.,
Rilling H. C.
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1963.tb08126.x
Subject(s) - carotenoid , bacteria , pigment , light intensity , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , optics , physics , genetics , organic chemistry
— The role of carotenoids in protecting a photochromogenic Mycobacterium has been investigated. Bacteria previously induced to synthesize carotenoids by low intensity white light are not killed by high intensity white light while uninduced (carotenoid‐free bacteria) are. If high intensity irradiation with white light is carried out at O°, carotenoids still protect these organisms although at a reduced level. This finding is taken to mean that carotenoids can protect these organisnis from photodynamic death by shading photosensitizing pigments.