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The terpenoids, also known as isoprenoids, are a class of naturally occurring organic chemicals derived from the 5-carbon compound isoprene and its derivatives called terpenes, diterpenes, etc. While sometimes used interchangeably with "terpenes", terpenoids contain additional functional groups , usually containing oxygen. [ 1 ]
Commonly, terpenes contain 2, 3, 4 or 6 isoprene units; the tetraterpenes (8 isoprene units) form a separate class of compounds called carotenoids; the others are rare. The basic unit isoprene itself is a hemiterpene. It may form oxygen-containing derivatives such as prenol and isovaleric acid analogous to terpenoids.
Tetraterpenoids (including many carotenoids) are tetraterpenes that have been chemically modified, as indicated by the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups. Phytoene is biosynthesized via the head-to-head condensation of two GGPP molecules. [2] One group of tetraterpenes, and possibly the most studied one, is the carotenoids pigments ...
Carotenoids (/ k ə ˈ r ɒ t ɪ n ɔɪ d /) are yellow, orange, and red organic pigments that are produced by plants and algae, as well as several bacteria, archaea, and fungi. [1] Carotenoids give the characteristic color to pumpkins , carrots , parsnips , corn , tomatoes , canaries , flamingos , salmon , lobster , shrimp , and daffodils .
Xanthophylls are carotenoids with molecules containing oxygen, such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenes are carotenoids with molecules that are unoxygenated, such as α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene. [22] In plants, carotenoids can occur in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Carotenoids have two important functions in plants.
Terpenoids are compounds related to terpenes, which may include some oxygen functionality or some rearrangement, however the two terms are often used interchangeably. Subcategories This category has the following 14 subcategories, out of 14 total.
Terpenes constitute a large class of natural products which are composed of isoprene units. Terpenes are only hydrocarbons and terpenoids are oxygenated hydrocarbons. The general molecular formula of terpenes are multiples of (C 5 H 8) n, where 'n' is number of linked isoprene units. Hence, terpenes are also termed as isoprenoid compounds.
β-Carotene (beta-carotene) is an organic, strongly colored red-orange pigment abundant in fungi, [7] plants, and fruits. It is a member of the carotenes, which are terpenoids (isoprenoids), synthesized biochemically from eight isoprene units and thus having 40 carbons.