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phytofluene

Phytofluene is a naturally occurring carotenoid pigment found in a variety of plant foods. It is colorless or pale yellow and belongs to the larger family of carotenoids, a class of isoprenoid compounds. In the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, phytofluene is an intermediate formed from phytoene during the desaturation steps and can be further converted to downstream carotenoids such as zeta-carotene, lycopene, and beta-carotene.

Phytofluene occurs in many fruits and vegetables, often alongside other carotenoids such as lycopene, beta-carotene, and

Because phytofluene is not highly colored, it is typically quantified using laboratory techniques such as high-performance

In human nutrition, carotenoids are studied for antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. Specific evidence for

See also: carotenoids, phytoene, lycopene, beta-carotene.

phytoene.
Notable
sources
include
tomato
products
and
other
colorful
produce,
though
the
exact
amounts
vary
with
species,
maturity,
and
processing.
Food
preparation
and
processing
can
influence
carotenoid
profiles,
including
the
relative
level
of
phytofluene.
liquid
chromatography
(HPLC)
coupled
with
UV
or
mass
spectrometric
detection.
It
absorbs
light
weakly
in
the
UV
range
and
does
not
contribute
a
strong
visible
color
to
foods,
making
its
detection
and
measurement
more
specialized
than
that
of
more
pigmented
carotenoids.
phytofluene’s
health
effects
is
limited
and
not
yet
conclusive.
It
is
commonly
considered
a
component
of
the
overall
carotenoid
intake
from
a
diet
rich
in
fruits
and
vegetables,
rather
than
as
a
single
nutrient
with
established
effects.