β-Citraurin epoxide, a new carotenoid from valencia orange peel

Abstract

A new minor carotenoid, β-citraurin epoxide (3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-8′-apo-β-caroten-8′-al) and several isomers of violaxanthin (5,6,5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-caroten-3,3′-diol) have been identified in Valencia orange peel. The previously reported occurrence of apo-10′-violaxanthal (3-hydroxy- 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-10′-apo-β-caroten-10′-al) and apo-12′-violaxanthal (3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro- 12′-apo-β-caroten-12′-al) has been confirmed, and their syntheses are described. The quantitative determination of the carotenoids has also been performed.