Carotenoid composition of the mushroom Scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea)

Abstract

From the extract of the mushroom Scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea) (all-E, 2′R)- plectaniaxanthin, (all-E)-2′-dehydroplectaniaxanthin and a number of sterically unhindered (Z)-isomers of these carotenoids were isolated and partially characterized. The carotenoid composition of the Scarlet elf cup extract was determined by HPLC analysis. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was carried out by UV/Vis spectroscopy, 1H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The NaBH4-reduction of (all-E)-2′-dehydroplectaniaxanthin resulted in the racemic mixture of (R)- and (S)-plectaniaxanthin. The isolated (Z)-isomers were identified by their UV/Vis spectroscopic properties.

Keywords

• Food analysis
• Organic chemistry
• Natural product chemistry
• Analytical chemistry
• Mushroom
• Carotenoids