Abstract
The monohydroxy carotenoid from the moth C. vinula was shown to be .beta.,.beta.-caroten-2-ol on the basis of electronic, IR, PMR and mass spectra. On acid treatment in the presence of molecular O2 this carotenoid is dehydrogenated to 4'',5-retro-.beta.,.beta.-caroten-2-one. The identification of .beta.,.beta.-caroten-2-ol by its retro product, its time course of acetylation, and its chromatographic properties relative to .beta.,.beta.-caroten-3-ol and .beta.,.beta.-caroten-4-ol is discussed. This is the 1st demonstration of a 2-hydroxylated carotenoid in an insect. Implications on the biogenesis of this pigment are considered.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: