Carotenoids as accessory light-harvesting pigments

Abstract

One of the main functions of carotenoids in photosynthesis is to act as accessory light-harvesting molecules. This paper reviews the current status of research on the mechanism of this singlet-singlet energy transfer process. Two excited singlet states Si and S2 are described. Based on fluorescence measurements the energy levels and lifetimes of these two states have been determined for a range of carotenoids. The role of these two states in this energy transfer process is discussed. © 1994 IUPAC