QUALITY.1.1 Food chemistry and human nutrition 
Großbeeren
033701 - 78 241 
baldermann@igzev.de 
Head of Research Group: Prof Dr Susanne Baldermann
Moreover, specific carotenoids exhibit provitamin A activity. In addition, our Research Group has a strong interest in apocarotenoids (carotenoid degradation products), which are aroma impact compounds, serve as precursors of plant hormones and unknown carotenoid derived signalling compounds.
We are pursuing an integrated assessment of carotenoid homeostasis pathways in vegetables in order to understand how the plants interact with changing production and climate conditions. Building on our expertise on carotenoid biosynthesis and catabolism, our most important objectives are: to investigate the genetic diversity, to study the effect of environmental stimuli on carotenoid homeostasis, identify endogenous regulatory mechanisms of the carotenoid homeostasis, and elucidate the dietary effects of modulated (apo)carotenoid profiles.
