What is the structure of carotenoids?
Carotenoids belong to the class of organic compounds of terpenoids, specifically tetrathidoids. They are phytochemicals that occur almost exclusively in plants and are divided into two categories: carotenes without oxygen and xanthofyly containing oxygen. Terpenoids can be derived at least theoretically by joining or "polymerization" isoprene molecules, ch 2 = C (ch 3 ) CH = ch 2 . Tetrathoid skeletons contain four 10-leaflet terpene units for a total of 40 carbon atoms. The International Union of Clean and Applied Chemistry, which decreases, applies to the structure of carotenoids as tetrathoids formally derived from the acyclic maternal lycopene. The structure of carotenoids also includes a component called Chromofor, which is responsible for the Prom of the color of the molecule. These organic compounds are biologically and nutritionally important and are inseparably associated with a life maintaining process of photosynthesis.
polymerization is possible because isoprene has two double VAZby. Each isoprene molecule has five carbon atoms, so a combination of two molecules leads to one chain of 10 carbon atoms. Growth can continue after this length, as the second double binding for each participant of the molecule remains unused. There are a number of terpenoid structures that can form because the isoprene molecule is not symmetrical. The connection can be held head, head to the tail or tail to the tail; The longer the string, the greater the number of combinations.
carotenoids are nutritionally beneficial foods found in fruits and vegetables. Nutrients include lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene. Most carotenoids of butter antioxidant properties. Some, including alpha- and beta-carotene and beta-criptoxanthin, can be converted into structurally similar retinol, vitamin A. Clear colors of vegetables, especially yellow corn, orange carrots and red tomatoes, exist due to carotenoids.
part of the molecule thatRá produces colors found in the structure of carotenoids, is a chromophore, which means a "color bearing". This is largely determined by a continuous collection of alternating double bonds found in the molecule. This electron collection absorbs energy that coincides with a part of the visible spectrum. What remains through non -absorbed colors determines the color of fruit or vegetables. Yellow vegetables thus absorb light especially in the blue part of the spectrum.
carotenoids are found in chloroplasts and chromoplasts of plants. It serves two specific functions. The compounds absorb light in which photosynthesis photosynthesis can be used and is used to protect fine chlorophyll molecules from exposure to ultraviolet light. In autumn in some parts of the world, as the amount of chlorophyll decreases, carotenoids often reveal in the beautiful colors of many plants that change with seasons. The decomposition products of many carotenoids give a pleasant aroma; Some of such compounds with pThey use essentially, perfume and aromatic industry.