Capsanthin

Capsanthin is a natural red dye of the xanthophyll class of carotenoids. As a food coloring, it has the E number E160c(i). Capsanthin is the main carotenoid in the Capsicum annuum species of plants including red bell pepper, New Mexico chile, and cayenne peppers (Capsicum annuum) and a component of paprika oleoresin.^[1] Capsanthin is also found in some species of lily.^[2] Of all carotenoids, capsanthin is considered to have the greatest antioxidant capacity due to the presence of eleven conjugated double bonds, a conjugated keto group, and a cyclopentane ring.^[3][4]

Capsanthin

Names
IUPAC name (3R,3′S,5′R)-3,3′-Dihydroxy-β,κ-caroten-6′-one
Systematic IUPAC name (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)-19-[(4R)-4-Hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl]-1-[(1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentyl]-4,8,13,17-tetramethylnonadeca-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaen-1-one
Identifiers
CAS Number	465-42-9
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Beilstein Reference	2493991
ChEBI	CHEBI:3375
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1519371
ChemSpider	4444640
ECHA InfoCard	100.006.696
EC Number	207-364-1
E number	E160c(i) (colours)
KEGG	C08584
PubChem CID	5281228
UNII	420NY1J57N
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID10905012
InChI InChI=1S/C40H56O3/c1-29(17-13-19-31(3)21-23-36-33(5)25-34(41)26-38(36,6)7)15-11-12-16-30(2)18-14-20-32(4)22-24-37(43)40(10)28-35(42)27-39(40,8)9/h11-24,34-35,41-42H,25-28H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,17-13+,18-14+,23-21+,24-22+,29-15+,30-16+,31-19+,32-20+/t34-,35+,40+/m1/s1 Key: VYIRVAXUEZSDNC-RDJLEWNRSA-N
SMILES CC1=C(C(C[C@@H](C1)O)(C)C)/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C=C(\C)/C=C/C=C(\C)/C=C/C(=O)[C@@]2(C[C@H](CC2(C)C)O)C)/C)/C
Properties
Chemical formula	C40H56O3
Molar mass	584.885 g·mol−1
Appearance	Deep red solid[1]
Melting point	181–182 °C (358–360 °F; 454–455 K)[1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Research

Xanthophyllic carotenoids such as β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin have often been touted for their ability to help eye functionality. Capsanthin may also be able to support eye health and recent research has revealed its potential to help maintain intraocular pressure within a healthy range. A clinical study on Wistar rats explored this effect over the course of 28 days. The rats were induced with higher intraocular pressure and then either given a placebo or capsanthin. At the end of the trial, rats that consumed capsanthin had normalized their eye pressure comparable to the control group that had normal pressure levels.^[5]