all-trans Retinal (Vitamin A Aldehyde, Retinene)

Corotenoid component of the visual pigments. All-trans retinal is converted to retinoic acid in vivo by the action of retinal dehydrogenase. Retinal is also known as retinaldehyde. It was originally called retinene,[2] and renamed[3] after it was discovered to be vitamin A aldehyde.[4][5] Retinal is one of the many forms of vitamin A (the number of which varies from species to species). Retinal is a polyene chromophore, bound to proteins called opsins, and is the chemical basis of animal vision. Retinal allows certain microorganisms to convert light into metabolic energy. , Vertebrate animals ingest retinal directly from meat, or they produce retinal from carotenoids, either from one of two carotenes (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene) or from beta-cryptoxanthin, a type of xanthophyll. These carotenoids must be obtained from plants or other photosynthetic organisms. No other carotenoids can be converted by animals to retinal, and some carnivores cannot convert any carotenoids at all. The other main forms of vitamin A, retinol, and a partially active form, retinoic acid, may both be produced from retinal. Invertebrates such as insects and squid use hydroxylated forms of retinal in their visual systems, which derive from conversion from other xanthophylls. , Melting Point: , 60-63ºC, Solubility: Chloroform (Slightly), Methanol (Slightly), Atmosphere: Inert Gas, Method for Determining Identity: Proton NMR (CDCl3) Spectroscopic analysis and Mass Spectrometric analysis, TLC Conditions: SiO2, Hexane: Ethyl Acetate, 8:2, Visualized with UV, AMCS, and Naked Eye, Rf=0.55, Storage and Stability: Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing and store at -70°C. Aliquots are stable for 6 months after receipt. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Light and temperature sensitive. Store under inert atmosphere. Important Note: This product as supplied is intended for research use only, not for use in human, therapeutic or diagnostic applications without the expressed written authorization of United States Biological. Toxicity and Hazards:  All products should be handled by qualified personnel only, trained in laboratory procedures.