Diatoxanthin

Diatoxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid pigment found in diatoms and other algae, part of the light-harvesting and photoprotection system of these organisms. It contributes to the golden-brown colour of diatom-rich waters and, through the food chain, to the pigmentation of some seafood. Researchers study it alongside better-known carotenoids for antioxidant potential. In food science it is mainly of academic interest, illustrating how algal pigments move through marine food webs and occasionally influence the colour of harvested products. Algal biotechnology programs exploring carotenoid production keep it on the research agenda alongside its better-known cousins.