Carotenoids in the skin of certain species of birds

Abstract

1. 1. The author has investigated the carotenoids in the skin of certain species of domestic and wild birds. 2. 2. By means of columnar and thin-layer chromatography, the following carotenoids were found to be present. 3. 3. In domestic birds: β-carotene, ϵ-carotene, canthaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein-epoxide, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin and astaxanthin ester. 4. 4. In wild birds: canthaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein-epoxide, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin and astaxanthin ester.