Phytofluene is a colorless carotenoid found naturally in

tomato The tomato is the edible berry of the plant ''Solanum lycopersicum'', commonly known as the tomato plant. The species originated in western South America, Mexico, and Central America. The Mexican Nahuatl word gave rise to the Spanish word ...

es and other vegetables. It is the second product of carotenoid biosynthesis. It is formed from

phytoene Phytoene () is a 40-carbon intermediate in the biosynthesis of carotenoids. The synthesis of phytoene is the first committed step in the synthesis of carotenoids in plants. Phytoene is produced from two molecules of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (G ...

in a desaturation reaction leading to the formation of five conjugated double bonds. In the following step, addition of carbon-carbon conjugated double bonds leads to the formation of z-carotene and appearance of visible color. Phytofluene has an absorption spectra in the UVA range, with maximal absorption at 348 nm and with ε1% of 1557. Analysis of several fruits and vegetables showed that phytoene and phytofluene are found in majority of fruits and vegetables. In contrast to all other

carotenoid Carotenoids (), also called tetraterpenoids, are yellow, orange, and red organic compound, organic pigments that are produced by plants and algae, as well as several bacteria, and Fungus, fungi. Carotenoids give the characteristic color to pumpki ...

and phytofluene, the first carotenoid precursors in the biosynthetic pathway of other carotenoids absorb light in the UV range. Dietary phytoene and phytofluene are accumulated in human skin. The accumulation of these carotenoids may protect the skin by several mechanisms: acting as UV absorbers, as antioxidants, as anti-inflammatory agents.

References

{{Carotenoids Carotenoids Plant physiology