Carotenoid Distribution in Certain Naturally Occurring Algae and in some Artificially Induced Mutants of Chlorella pyrenoidosa

SUMMARY: The carotenoids of pure cultures of two members of the Class Chrysophyceae were examined; the main pigments in Ochromonas danica and Prymnesium parvum are fucoxanthin and β-carotene. The main carotenoids of Cyanidium caldarium are β-carotene and zeaxanthin; these observations support the view that this alga represents a transitional form between the cryptomonads and the green algae. The distribution of polyenes and carotenoids in a number of ultra-violet induced mutants of Chlorella pyrenoidosa is described.