Carotenoids in Lichens From Tasmanian Forests

Abstract

Column and thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of the following carotenoids in the thalli of 20 lichen species from Tasmanian forests: α-carotene, β-carotene, β -cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, 5-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrozeaxanthin, β -carotene epoxide, lutein epoxide, antheraxanthin,mutatoxanthin, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, α-doradexanthin, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin. 5-Hydroxy-5,6-dihydrozeaxanthin is reported for the first time in lichens. The total content of carotenoids ranged from 15.28µg^-1 dry wt in Menegazzia confusa to 48.53µg^-1 dry wt in Pseudocyphellaria glabra.