Role of Carotenoids in Protecting Chlorophyll From Photodestruction

Abstract
There is a metabolic block between phytoene and colored carotenoid synthesis in white-3. Chlorophyll and chloroplast formation by the mutant appears to be normal, but its chlorophyll is destroyed by high light intensities under aerobic conditions. Under anaerobic conditions, however, the chlorophyll of the mutant is stable to strong light. The results support the thesis that an important role of colored carotenoids is the protection of chlorophyll from photodestruction.