Main description:

With the number of natural carotenoid structures reported rising above 700, there is a clear need for a single reference work containing data on all these compounds. This Handbook includes all natural carotenoids and common isolation artefacts for which structures have been assigned up to the end of 2001. For each compound, it provides selected key references and critically assessed information about natural occurrence and isolation, and spectroscopic data for identification. A standard full-page entry is given for each compound that has been characterised unambiguously, showing

- Common name
- IUPAC name
- Structure, including stereochemistry, when assigned
- Spectroscopic data: UV/Vis (with illustration); MS; CD; NMR (type and references)
- Chemical synthesis (references)
- Natural sources and outline of isolation procedure
- Remarks, e.g. further spectroscopic data, stability, properties, derivatives
- Selected key references

Contents:

Section I: Introduction and guidelines on the use of the Handbook.- A. Philosophy and aims of the Handbook.- B. Strategy and criteria for selection.- 1. General policy.- 2. Isomers and derivatives.- 3. Criteria for acceptable identification.- C. Using the Handbook.- D. The Main List: Sections.- 1. General policy.- 2. Carotenoid number.- 3. Common name.- 4. IUPAC name.- 5. Molecular formula.- 6. Molecular structure.- 7. UV/Vis (Ultraviolet/visible absorption spectrum).- 8. MS (Mass spectrum).- 9. CD (Circular dichroism spectrum).- 10. NMR spectrum.- l 1. Synthesis.- 12. Source and isolation.- 13. Remarks.- 14. References.- E. The Supplementary List.- F. Index.- Section II: Main List Natural carotenoids.- 1. Carotenoids with a C40 skeleton.- (a) Hydrocarbons.- (b) Hydroxycarotenoids.- (c) Epoxycarotenoids.- (d) Aldehydes.- (e) Ketones.- (f) Carboxylic acids.- 2. Carotenoids with C45 and C50 skeletons.- 3. Apocarotenoids.- 4. Norcarotenoids.- 5. Secocarotenoids.- 6. Others.- Section III: Supplementary List.- 1. Carotenoids with a C40 skeleton.- (a) Hydrocarbons.- (b) Alcohols.- (c) Epoxides.- (d) Aldehydes.- (e) Ketones.- (f) Carboxylic acids.- 2. Carotenoids with C45 and C50 skeletons.- 3. Apocarotenoids.- 4. Norcarotenoids.- 5. Secocarotenoids.- 6. Others.