Abstract
The carotenoids of five species of heliobacteria (Heliobacillus mobilis, Heliophilum fasciatum, Heliobacterium chlorum, Heliobacterium modesticaldum, and Heliobacterium gestii) were examined by spectroscopic methods, and the C30 carotene 4,4′-diaponeurosporene was found to be the dominant pigment; heliobacteria were previously thought to contain the C40 carotenoid neurosporene. In addition, trace amounts of the C30 diapocarotenes diapolycopene, diapo-ζ-carotene, diapophytofluene, and diapophytoene were also found. Up to now, diapocarotenes have been found in only three species of chemoorganotrophic bacteria, but not in phototropic organisms. Furthermore, the esterifying alcohol of bacteriochlorophyll g from all known species of heliobacteria was determined to be farnesol (C15) instead of the usual phytol (C20). Heliobacteria may be unable to produce geranylgeranyol (C20).
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Received: 10 March 1997 / Accepted: 3 June 1997
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Takaichi, S., Inoue, K., Akaike, M. et al. The major carotenoid in all known species of heliobacteria is the C30 carotenoid 4,4′-diaponeurosporene, not neurosporene. Arch Microbiol 168, 277–281 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002030050499
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002030050499