Tetraterpenes and Carotenoids Tetraterpenes and Carotenoids Tetraterpenes and carotenoids Tetraterpenes and carotenoids are found in all plants, bacteria, and fungi. They are probably the world's most widely distributed pigments. Carotenoids are pigments in birds, fish, insects, and other animals. They are also common pigments in plants. They are C 40 compounds.
Most carotenoids are highly unsaturated.
Because of this, they are difficult to isolate, purify and characterize. They are both heat and light sensitive. Biosynthesis Tetraterpenes are synthesized from DOXP precursors in plants and some bacteria. Those carotenoids involved in photosynthesis are formed in chloroplasts. Others are formed in plastids.