Isolation of carotenoids with 3,5,6-trihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-β-end groups from red paprika (Capsicum annuum)

6-Epikarpoxanthin ((all-E,3S,5R,6S,3'R)-5,6-dihydro-beta,beta-carotene-3,5,6,3'-tetraol, 5), 5,6-diepikarpoxanthin ((all-E,3S,5S,6S,3' R)-5,6-dihydro-beta,beta-carotene-3,5,6,3'-tetrol, 13), 5,6-diepilatoxanthin((all-E,3S,5S,6S,3'S, 5'R, 6'S)-5',6'-epoxy-5,6,5',6'-tetrahydro-beta,beta-carotene-3,5,6,3'-tetrol, 14), and 5,6-diepicapsokarpoxanthin ((all-E.3S,5S,6S,3'S,5'R)-5,6-dihydro-3,5,6,3'-tetrahydroxy-beta,kappa-caroten-6'-one, 15) were isolated from red spice paprika (Capsicuin annuum var. longum) and characterized by their UV/VIS, CD, H-1- and C-13-NMR, and mass spectra. Our investigations demonstrate that the configuration of the 3,5,6-trihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-beta-end group may differ depending on the biological source.