Functional characterization of CmCCD1, a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase from melon

Orange-colored melon varieties contain both β-carotene and β-ionone, while pale green and white varieties have low to undetectable levels of both compounds. A melon carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase gene has been functionally characterized by overexpression in Escherichia coli strains previously engineered to produce different carotenoids, releasing their corresponding apocarotenoid derivatives.