ABSTRACT
The most characteristic feature of the carotenoid structure is the presence of several conjugated double bonds in the chain. The polyene chain is responsible for the light absorption properties and also for the susceptibility of carotenoids to degradation under high temperature, low pH, light, and reactive oxygen species, among other factors. Nevertheless, heat processing has become an important part of the food chain, and both processed and fresh foods are often exposed under uorescent light in supermarkets.
