Journal of Food Bioactives, ISSN 2637-8752 print, 2637-8779 online
Journal website www.isnff-jfb.com

Review

Volume 24, December 2023, pages 13-28

Binding of carotenoids to proteins: a review

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Chemical structures of carotenes.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Chemical structures of xanthophylls.
Figure 3.
Figure 3. Chemical structures of apocarotenoids.
Figure 4.
Figure 4. Carotenoids’ absorption and metabolism inside the body

Table

Table 1. Some examples of carotenoprotein complexes in animalsa
 
Common nameSpecies NameOrganCarotenoprotein complexColor of the complexCarotenoid typeReferences
aIn many cases the type/name of the carotenoprotein complexes have not been determined/identified.
LobstersHomarus GammarusCarapaceCrustacyaninBlueAstaxanthinZagalsky et al., 1995
European lobster and American lobstersHomarus Gammarus and H. americanusCarapaceCrustochrinYellowAstaxanthinBritton and Helliwell, 2008
LobstersHomarus GammarusOvaries and eggsOvoverdinDark greenAstaxanthinRenstrom et al., 1982
Squat lobsterGalathea strigoseCarapaceCarotenoproteinPurpleAstaxanthinGomez et al., 1988
European locust lobsterScyllarus arctusCarapaceCarotenoproteinBlueAstaxanthinZagalsky et al., 1970
European spiny lobsterPalinurus vulgarisCarapaceCarotenoproteinPurpleAstaxanthinZagalsky et al., 1970
CrayfishProcambarus clarkiaCarapaceCarotenoproteinRedAstaxanthin; Astaxanthin-estersCremades et al., 2003; Milicua et al., 1986
CrayfishAstacus leptodactylusCarapaceCarotenoproteinYellowAstaxanthin; ZeaxanthinMilicua et al., 1986
Brown crabCancer pagurusOvariesCarotenoproteinOrangeAstaxanthin; Other xanthophylls (Zeaxanthin)Zagalsky et al, 1995
Hermit crabClibanarius erythropusExoskeletonCarotenoproteinBlueAstaxanthinZagalsky et al., 1970
Yellow crabEriphia SpinifronsCarapaceCarotenoproteinPurple-blueAstaxanthinZagalsky et al., 1970
Marbled crabPachygrapsus marmoratusCarapaceCarotenoproteinBlueAstaxanthinZagalsky et al., 1970
StarfishAsterias rubensDorsal skinAsteriarubinPurpleAstaxanthinBernharda et al., 1982
Calcified starfishLinckia laevigataSkinLinckiacyaninBright blueAstxanthin; ZeaxanthinZagalsky, 1989
Red comb starAstropecten aranciacusSkinCarotenoproteinOrangeAstaxanthinCzeczuga, 1983a
Slender sea starAstropecten spinulosusSkinCarotenoproteinOrangeZeaxanthin; CanthaxanthinCzeczuga, 1983a
Red sea starEchinaster sepositusSkinCarotenoproteinBlueZeaxanthin; CanthaxanthinCzeczuga, 1983a
JellyfishVelella velellaMantleVelellacyaninBlueAstaxanthinBritton and Helliwell, 2008
Blue and red shrimpAristeus antennatusCarapace; Mandibles; StomachCarotenoproteinBlueAstaxanthinZagalsky et al., 1970
Mud shrimpUpogebia pusillaHypodermis ExoskeletonCarotenoproteinBlueAstaxanthinVillarroel et al., 1985
Fairy shrimpStreptocephalus dichotomusBodyCarotenoproteinOrangeAstaxanthin; CanthaxanthinVelu et al., 2003
Fairy shrimpChirocephalus diaphanous PrevostBodyCarotenoproteinBlueCanthaxanthin; PhoenicoxanthinGilchrist and Green, 1962
DaphniaMoina micruraBodyCarotenoproteinRedAstaxanthinVelu et al., 2003
Calciferous coralAllopora californicaSkinAlloporinVioletAstaxanthinBerger et al., 1982
Marine spongeAxinella verrucoseBodyCarotenoproteinOrangeα-Carotene; Isomers of renierateneSantoro et al., 1990
Purple sea urchinParacentrotus lividusSkinCarotenoproteinYellow-greenIsozeaxanthinCzeczuga, 1983a
Painter’s musselUnio pictorumBodyCarotenoproteinYellowCanthaxanthinCzeczuga, 1983c
Snakelocks sea anemoneAnemonia sulcateBodyCarotenoproteinBlue-greenAstaxanthin; CanthaxanthinCzeczuga, 1983b
IsopodIdothea granulosaCuticleCarotenoproteinGreenCanthaxanthin; Lutein; Xanthophyll epoxidesLee and Gilchrist, 1972
CopepodPontella valida DanaBodyCarotenoproteinBlueAstaxanthinVenkataramana et al., 2017
River snailPomacea canaliculateEggsOvorubinRedAstaxanthinCheesman, 1958
Chum salmonOncorhynchus ketaSerumCarotenoproteinYellowZeaxanthinAndo and Hatano, 1988