Resonance Raman spectroscopy of carotenoids in Photosystem I particles Original Research Article

Low-temperature resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy was used for the first time to study the spectral properties, binding sites and composition of major carotenoids in spinach Photosystem I (PSI) particles. Excitation was provided by an argon ion laser at 457.9, 476.5, 488, 496.5, 502 and 514.5 nm. Raman spectra contained the four known groups of bands characteristic for carotenoids (called from ν1 to ν4). Upon 514.5, 496.5 and 476.5 nm excitations, the ν1–ν3 frequencies coincided with those established for lutein. Spectrum upon 502-nm excitation could be assigned to originate from violaxanthin, at 488 nm to 9-cis neoxanthin, and at 457.9 nm to β-carotene and 9-cis neoxanthin. The overall configuration and composition of these bound carotenoid molecules in Photosystem I particles were compared with the composition of pigment extracts from the same PSI particles dissolved in pyridine, as well as to configuration in the main chlorophyll a/b light-harvesting protein complex of photosystem II. The absorption transitions for lutein, violaxanthin and 9-cis neoxanthin in spinach photosystem I particles are characterized, and the binding sites of lutein and neoxanthin are discussed. Resonance Raman data suggest that β-carotene molecules are also present in all-trans and, probably, in 9-cis configurations.