title: Separation and identification of the carotenoid pigments of stigmata isolated from light-grown cells of Euglena gracilis strain Z.
abstract: Thin layer chromatography of the carotenoid pigments of stigmata isolated from light grown cells of Euglena gracilis strain Z resolved 29 compounds, of which 16 could be eluted and their absorption spectra recorded. Seven of these compounds were identified by a combination of co-chromatography with authentic compounds and by chemical tests, one of these compounds (beta-carotene) was further identified by mass spectrometry. The major carotenoids were found to be beta-carotene, diatoxanthin and diadinoxanthin which together comprised approximately 60% of the stigma pigments. In addition significant quantities of canthaxanthin, echinenone and cryptoxanthin were isolated and a possible carotenoid ester was detected. The results of this analysis are compared with those of previous workers and the significance of the findings is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005056:Euglena gracilis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D008027:Light; D009940:Organoids / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids