Carotenoids are lipophilic isoprenoid compounds synthesized by all photosynthetic
organisms and some non-photosynthetic prokaryotes and fungi. With some notable
exceptions, animals (including humans) do not produce carotenoids de novo but take them
in their diets. In photosynthetic systems carotenoids are essential for photoprotection against
excess light and contribute to light harvesting, but perhaps they are best known for their
properties as natural pigments in the yellow to red range. Carotenoids can be associated to …