Carotenoid composition of the mushroom Scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea)

From the extract of the mushroom Scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea) (all-E, 2′R)- plectaniaxanthin, (all-E)-2′-dehydroplectaniaxanthin and a number of sterically unhindered (Z)-isomers of these carotenoids were isolated and partially characterized. The carotenoid composition of the Scarlet elf cup extract was determined by HPLC analysis. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was carried out by UV/Vis spectroscopy, (1)H and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The NaBH(4)-reduction of (all-E)-2′-dehydroplectaniaxanthin resulted in the racemic mixture of (R)- and (S)-plectaniaxanthin. The isolated (Z)-isomers were identified by their UV/Vis spectroscopic properties.