Abstract
1. 1. Small amounts of keto-carotenoids were found together with large amounts of astaxanthin ester and astaxanthin in the integumental tissues of the crayfish Orconectes rusticus. 2. 2. The conventional plant carotenoids β-carotene and lutein were the predominant pigments of the carcass and eggs. Eggs contained astaxanthin but in contrast to other tissues no astaxanthin ester. Vitamin A 1 and retinene-1 were found along with astaxanthin ester and astaxanthin in the eyestalks of this crayfish. 3. 3. Major differences in the behavior of astaxanthin ester and astaxanthin fractions during chromatography on water-weakened alumina and silicic acid are described. The data suggest that alumina chromatography results in the partial hydrolysis of astaxanthin esters. Astaxanthin isomers are apparently oxidized to astacene during elution from alumina with methanolic potassium hydroxide.
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