Analysis and identification of astaxanthin and its carotenoid precursors from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

This study presents an HPLC method for simultaneous analysis of astaxanthin and its carotenoid precursors from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous. The HPLC method is accomplished by employing a C18 column and the mobile phase methanol/water/acetonitrile/ dichloromethane (70:4:13:13, v/v/v/v). Astaxanthin is quantified by detection at 480 nm. The carotenoid precursors are identified by LC-APCI-MS and UV-vis absorption spectra. Peaks showed in the HPLC chromatogram are identified as carotenoids in the monocyclic biosynthetic pathway or their derivatives. In the monocyclic carotenoid pathway, 3,3'-dihydroxy- β,ψ-carotene-4,4'-dione (DCD) is produced through γ-carotene and torulene. © 2010 Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung, Tübingen.