Preface; Contents; Part I Biosynthesis of Carotenoids; 1 Carotenoid Distribution in Nature; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Carotenoid Distribution in Microorganisms; 1.2.1 Carotenoids in Bacteria, Microalgae and Archaea; 1.2.2 Carotenoids in Fungi; 1.3 Carotenoid Biosynthesis; 1.3.1 The Synthesis of IPP and DMAPP; 1.3.2 The Synthesis of GGPP; 1.3.3 The Synthesis of Carotenoids per se; 1.3.4 The Synthesis of Astaxanthin; 1.4 Concluding Remarks; References; 2 Biosynthesis of Carotenoids in Plants: Enzymes and Color; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Biological Functions of Carotenoids

2.3 Vegetal Models as a Tool Box to Study Plant Carotenogenesis2.4 Carotenoid Biosynthetic Pathway: Genes, Proteins and Products; 2.4.1 Plastid Localization of the Carotenogenic Pathway; 2.4.2 MEP Pathway to GGPP; 2.4.3 GGPP to Phytoene: Phytoene Synthase; 2.4.4 Lycopene Synthesis: Teamwork of Desaturases and Isomerases; 2.4.4.1 Desaturases; 2.4.4.2 Isomerases; 2.4.5 Lycopene to Cyclic Carotenes: Cyclases; 2.4.6 Cyclic Carotenes to Xanthophylls Cycle: Dynamic Role of Hydroxylases, Epoxidases and More; 2.4.7 Neoxanthin Synthase; 2.5 Concluding Remarks; References

3 Structures and Analysis of Carotenoid Molecules3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Nomenclature; 3.3 Structures; 3.3.1 Carotenes; 3.3.2 Xanthophylls; 3.3.3 Apocarotenoids; 3.3.4 Z-Isomers; 3.4 Carotenoid Analysis; 3.4.1 Raman Mapping; 3.4.2 Screening; 3.4.3 Quantitative Analysis; 3.4.3.1 Inherent Difficulties; 3.4.3.2 Storage of Samples and Standards; 3.4.3.3 Sampling; 3.4.3.4 Preparation of the Analytical Sample; 3.4.3.5 Extraction; 3.4.3.6 Partition; 3.4.3.7 Saponification; 3.4.3.8 Concentration or Evaporation of the Solvent; 3.4.3.9 Chromatographic Separation; 3.4.3.10 Identification

3.4.3.11 Quantification3.4.3.12 UHPLC-DAD Methods; 3.4.3.13 Other Techniques and Methods; References; Part II Regulation of Carotenoids Biosynthesis; 4 Carotenoids and Photosynthesis; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Molecular Architecture of Photosynthetic Systems; 4.3 Purple Photosynthetic Bacteria as a Model System; 4.4 An Outline of Ultrafast Relaxation Processes of Carotenoids Following Photoexcitation; 4.5 Physiological Functions of Carotenoids in Photosynthesis; 4.5.1 Are Carotenoids Absolutely Necessary in Photosynthesis?

4.5.2 Are Carotenoids Required for the Structural Integrity of Photosynthetic Pigment-Protein Complexes?4.6 Light-Harvesting Function of Carotenoids; 4.7 Photoprotective Function of Carotenoids; 4.7.1 Photoprotection by Quenching Chlorophyll Triplet States; 4.7.2 Protection of Living Organisms (Chemical Reaction Process); 4.8 The Involvement of Carotenoids in the Regulation of Photosynthesis; 4.9 Structure and Function Relationship of Carotenoids (Future Perspectives); References; 5 Regulation of Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Photosynthetic Organs; 5.1 A Brief Introduction to Carotenoids