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Fucoxanthin

Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid, which performs a limited form of photosynthesis in brown algae and other heterokonts. It is responsible for the brown or olive-green colour of these algae. Fucoxanthin absorbs red light to perform photosynthesis. Though fucoxanthin cannot absorb and photosynthesize light as effectively as chlorophyll, it does have one unique advantage: it can photosynthesize much more easily in deep water than any other substance. For this reason, fucoxanthin tends to be at least a part of any deep-sea photosynthesizing organism.

Among the most well-known eukaryotes relying on fucoxanthin for photosynthesis are the kelps. Though most people think of kelp and similar seaweeds as plants, they are actually more closely related to algaes.

Brown algae containing fucoxanthin may not be heterokonts. They can develop into multicellular forms with specialized tissues, but still reproduce by means of flagellate spores.

Web Resources On Fucoxanthin

Fucoxanthin and Its Metabolites in Edible Brown Algae Cultivated in Deep Seawater
Marine Plants

Book Resources On Fucoxanthin

Photosynthesis in some of the red and brown algae as related to depth and light by Floyd Whitney Gail
Marine Green and Brown Algae of the Hawaiian Islands by Abbott & Huisman

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