CAROTENOIDS IN SIX SPECIES OF THE LICHEN GENUS CETRELIA FROM DIFFERENT SITES IN EURASIA

Abstract

  Column and thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of the following carotenoids in the thalli of 6 species (45 specimens) of Cetrelia from various habitats in Eurasia: α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, 3'-epilutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene-5,6-epoxide, lutein epoxide, antheraxanthin, echinenone, hydroxyechinenone, canthaxanthin, α-doradexanthin, astaxanthin, violaxanthin, flavoxanthin, mutatoxanthin, neoxanthin, capsochrome and apo-6'-lycopenal. Violaxanthin was as constant carotenoid in all species of Cetrelia examined.

  The total content of carotenoids ranged from 8.84 (specimen no. 9 of C. chicitae) to 54.10μg g^-1 dry mass (specimen no. 2 of C. braunsiana).