*3.1. General*

IR spectrum was measured on a Perkin-Elmer FT-IR spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer, Yokohama, Japan), spectrum 100. 1H and 13C NMR spectra were determined on a Varian Gemini-300 superconducting FT-NMR spectrometer (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and the chemical shifts were referenced to tetramethylsilane. Mass spectrum was taken on a Thermo Fisher Scientific Exactive spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bremen, Germany). CD spectra were measured on a Shimadzu-AVIN 62A DS circular dichroism spectrometer (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). 

HPLC analyses were performed on Simadzu-LC-20AT instrument (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) with a photodiode array detector (Waters 996, Tokyo, Japan) and column oven (GL Sciences Model 552, Tokyo, Japan). 

NMR assignments are given using the carotenoid nmbering system. 
