[Epiphase carotenoids of the blue-green alga Anabaena variabilia]

Epiphase carotenoids were studied in the cells of the obligate phototrophous blue-green alga Anabaena variabilis. Ten pigment zones were detected by column chromatography on alumina and by TLC on cellulose and Silufol UV-254 plates. TLC in the B layer and paper chromatography did not reveal all pigment zones obtained on a column. The data of TLC on cellulose and on Silufol plates confirmed the purity and individual character of the fractions obtained on a column. These data showed also that the pigments obtained upon the separation of the extract on a column were not the products of its interaction with an active adsorbent. Absorption spectra of the isolated pigments were determined in various solvents, and speculations were made concerning the structure of the carotenoids.