Composition and metabolism of carotenoids in Arctodiaptomus bacillifer taken from a mountain lake in the Alps have been studied. This copepode contains esters of astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dion) mainly. Besides β-carotene (β,β-carotene) and unesterified zeaxanthin (β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol), esters of hydroxyechinenone (3-hydroxy-β,β-caroten-4-one), adonixanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-β,β-caroten-4-one), and zeaxanthin were found. The metabolism of carotenoids in Arctodiaptomus

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... fer and a possible way of astaxanthin biosynthesis have been discussed.