Canadian Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences

Abstract: The early steps up to the formation of acyclic C-40 carotenoids are presumed to be common to the biosynthesis of all carotenoids with 40 or more carbon atoms (long chain carotenoids). No direct evidence so far available to confirm the early steps for the formation of the long – chain C45 and C50 carotenoids and their glycosides, which simply means that at least, the earlier steps of their biosynthesis are still poorly understood. In the present study, a novel biological system was developed capable of incorporation of [1-14C]-isopentenyl pyrophosphate into the carotenoids of Micrococcus luteus. The results revealed that the novel long – chain carotenoids are sharing the same precursor with the conventional C40-carotenoids. Moreover, the unique bio- radiolabeling developed in this study may be invaluable for labeling the individual carotenoids and related compounds as alternative to the complicated, time consuming chemical synthesis.