Fluorescence of carotenoids - Effect of oxygenation and cis/trans isomerization

Kevin Jørgensen, Henrik Stapelfeldt, Leif H. Skibsted

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

C40 carotenoids fall, with respect to fluorescence in homogeneous solution, into two distinct groups depending on the presence of a C = O group in the molecule. Excitation spectra agree with absorption spectra for the carbonyl derivatives astaxanthin and canthaxanthin. In contrast, zeaxanthin and isomers of beta-carotene have a twentyfold increase in fluorescence quantum yield for excitation around 350 nm compared to excitation near the absorption maximum (at approximately 430 nm). These differences are interpreted in terms of the role of non-emitting 1(n, pi*) states related to the C = O group in facilitating non-radiative deactivation of higher 1(pi, pi*) states.
Original languageEnglish
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume190
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)514-519
ISSN0009-2614
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1992
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fluorescence of carotenoids - Effect of oxygenation and cis/trans isomerization'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this