(3s,5r,6s)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-12'-apo-beta-caroten-12'-al is a member of the class of compounds known as diterpenoids. Diterpenoids are terpene compounds formed by four isoprene units. Thus, (3s,5r,6s)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-12'-apo-beta-caroten-12'-al is considered to be an isoprenoid lipid molecule (3s,5r,6s)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-12'-apo-beta-caroten-12'-al is practically insoluble (in water) and an extremely weak acidic compound (based on its pKa). (3s,5r,6s)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-12'-apo-beta-caroten-12'-al can be found in a number of food items such as sweet cherry, jute, sunburst squash (pattypan squash), and atlantic herring, which makes (3s,5r,6s)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-12'-apo-beta-caroten-12'-al a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products.
