Xanthophylls

Carotenoids containing an oxygenated carotene backbone. Carotenes are characterized by the presence of two end-groups (mostly cyclohexene rings, but also cyclopentene rings or acyclic groups) linked by a long branched alkyl chain. Carotenes belonging form a subgroup of the carotenoids family. Xanthophylls arise by oxygenation of the carotene backbone.

Organic compounds -> Lipids and lipid-like molecules -> Prenol lipids -> Tetraterpenoids -> Carotenoids