Anteraksantiini

Anteraksantiini is a xanthophyll carotenoid pigment found in many plants, algae, and bacteria. Its chemical structure consists of a long chain of conjugated double bonds with two hydroxyl groups at either end. This conjugated system is responsible for its ability to absorb light in the blue-green region of the visible spectrum, contributing to the yellow color observed in many plants.

In plants, anteraksantiini plays a crucial role in photosynthesis. It acts as an accessory pigment, capturing light energy that chlorophyll cannot efficiently absorb and transferring it to the reaction centers. More importantly, anteraksantiini is a key component of the xanthophyll cycle, a photoprotective mechanism. Under conditions of excess light, anteraksantiini can be converted to violaxanthin, and then back to anteraksantiini when light levels decrease. This cycle helps dissipate excess light energy as heat, preventing damage to the photosynthetic apparatus.

Anteraksantiini is also found in the retina of the human eye, where it, along with zeaxanthin and lutein, filters out harmful blue light. This filtering action is believed to protect the photoreceptor cells from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Due to its antioxidant properties and potential health benefits, anteraksantiini is sometimes included in dietary supplements.