carotene epsilon hydroxylase activity
Catalysis of the reaction: alpha-carotene + O2 + reduced [NADPH--hemoprotein reductase] = alpha-cryptoxanthin + H(+) + H2O + oxidized [NADPH--hemoprotein reductase]. Zeinoxanthin may also be used as the substrate, in which case lutein is produced.
GO:0016712
oxidoreductase activity, acting on paired donors, with incorporation or reduction of molecular oxygen, reduced flavin or flavoprotein as one donor, and incorporation of one atom of oxygen
is_a