Ovaj enzim učestvuje u karotenoidnoj biosinteza i katalizuje do pet koraka desaturacije, cf. EC 1.3.99.28, fitoenska desaturaza (formira neurosporen), EC 1.3.99.29, fitoen desaturaza (formira zeta-karoten) i EC 1.3.99.31, fitoen desaturaza (formira likopen).
Reference
^Hausmann, A. & Sandmann, G. (2000). „A single five-step desaturase is involved in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway to β-carotene and torulene in Neurospora crassa”. Fungal Genet. Biol. 30: 147—153. PMID11017770.
^Estrada, A.F., Maier, D., Scherzinger, D., Avalos, J. and Al-Babili, S. (2008). „Novel apocarotenoid intermediates in Neurospora crassa mutants imply a new biosynthetic reaction sequence leading to neurosporaxanthin formation”. Fungal Genet. Biol. 45: 1497—1505. PMID18812228.CS1 одржавање: Вишеструка имена: списак аутора (веза)