Violaxanthin

Violaxanthin is a natural xanthophyll pigment with an orange color found in a variety of plants including pansies. It is biosynthesized from zeaxanthin by epoxidation.[1] As a food additive it is used under the E number E161e as a food coloring; it is not approved for use in the EU[2] or USA however is approved in Australia and New Zealand[3] (where it is listed under its INS number 161e).

Violaxanthin[1]

Names
IUPAC name (1S,4S,6R)-1-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-18-[(1S,4S,6R)-4-Hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-1-yl]-3,7,12,16-tetramethyloctadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]-2,2,6-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-4-ol
Other names 5,6:5′,6′-Diepoxy-5,5′,6,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol, Zeaxanthin diepoxide, all-trans-Violaxanthin, E161e
Identifiers
CAS Number	126-29-4^Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:35288^Y
ChemSpider	395237^Y
E number	E161e (colours)
PubChem CID	448438
UNII	51C926029A^Y
InChI InChI=1S/C40H56O4/c1-29(17-13-19-31(3)21-23-39-35(5,6)25-33(41)27-37(39,9)43-39)15-11-12-16-30(2)18-14-20-32(4)22-24-40-36(7,8)26-34(42)28-38(40,10)44-40/h11-24,33-34,41-42H,25-28H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,17-13+,18-14+,23-21+,24-22+,29-15+,30-16+,31-19+,32-20+/t33-,34-,37+,38+,39-,40-/m0/s1^Y Key: SZCBXWMUOPQSOX-WVJDLNGLSA-N^Y
SMILES C\C(=C/C=C/C=C(\C)/C=C/C=C(\C)/C=C/[C@]12C(C[C@@H](C[C@]1(O2)C)O)(C)C)\C=C\C=C(/C)\C=C\[C@]34C(C[C@@H](C[C@]3(O4)C)O)(C)C
Properties
Chemical formula	C40H56O4
Molar mass	600.85 g/mol
Appearance	Orange crystals
Melting point	200 °C (392 °F; 473 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Y verify (what is ^YN ?)
Infobox references

The xanthophyll cycle

References

1. Merck Index, 11th Edition, 9902.
2. UK Food Standards Agency: "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers". Retrieved 2011-10-27.
3. Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code"Standard 1.2.4 - Labelling of ingredients". Retrieved 2011-10-27.