ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the chemical foundation for the other chapters in
this book. For more detailed treatments reference is made particularly to
comprehensive recent treatments, including the Carotenoids book series
published by Birkha¨user, namely Vol. 1A, Isolation and Analysis (1); Vol. 1B,
Spectroscopy (2); Vol. 2, Synthesis (3); and Vol. 3, Biosynthesis and Metabolism
(4). Other useful references are the Key to Carotenoids (5) and the Carotenoid
Handbook (6), giving structures and references to all known naturally
occurring carotenoids. Whereas the former Key (5) is exhaustive, the new
Carotenoid Handbook (6) gives a critical evaluation of published data and
selected, recommended references to diagnostic evidence for established
structures.
