The lipid-soluble pigments of the marine red alga Lenormandia prolifera

1. The marine red algaLenormandia prolifera contains-cryptoxanthin, a monohydroxy derivative of-carotene, as well as- and -carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. 2. Chlorophylla and a trace of chlorophyllidea is present but no chlorophylld. 3. The chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio is 2.5 ± 0.7 (w/w), falling within the range reported for other species of the Rhodophyta. 4. -Carotene is more abundant than-carotene while lutein is the most abundant xanthophyll;-cryptoxanthin accounts for only 2.4% of the total carotenoid content. 5. The possibility that theAmansia group is distinguished by containing-cryptoxanthin and more- than-carotene is discussed.