Lycopane

Lycopane is a fully saturated tetraterpene hydrocarbon. It is a colorless carotenoid derivative, named after lycopene, from which it can be derived through hydrogenation. Unlike lycopene, which has a linear carbon backbone with numerous conjugated double bonds, lycopane's carbon backbone is fully saturated, lacking any double bonds.

Structurally, lycopane consists of 8 isoprene units joined end to end, resulting in a long chain of carbon atoms. The absence of unsaturation makes it chemically more stable than lycopene.

While not as widely studied as lycopene, lycopane has been identified in certain bacteria and algae. Research has explored its potential role as a biomarker for specific microbial communities and its potential production through microbial synthesis. The physiological functions and broader ecological significance of lycopane are areas of ongoing scientific investigation. Its saturated structure differentiates its properties and potential applications from those of its unsaturated precursor, lycopene.