Zeaxanthin biosynthesis is a pathway that occurs in the chloroplast by which lycopene becomes zeaxanthin, one of the most common carotenoid alcohols found in nature . The first two reactions are catalyzed by lycopene beta cyclase which uses NAD(P)H as a cofactor to convert lycopene into gamma-carotene and gamma-carotene into beta-carotene. The last two reactions are catalyzed by beta-carotene 3-hydroxylase which uses ferredoxin and Fe2+ as cofactors to convert beta-carotene into beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin into zeaxanthin.

Zeaxanthin Biosynthesis References