Catalysis of the reaction: 3 H+ + 15-cis-4,4'-diapophytoene + 4 FAD = 4,4'-diapolycopene + 3 FADH2. This reaction consists of three successive dehydrogenations that lead to the introduction of three double bonds into 4,4'-diapophytoene (dehydrosqualene), with 4,4'-diapophytofluene and 4,4'-diapo-zeta-carotene as intermediates, and 4,4'-diaponeurosporene (the major deep-yellow pigment in staphylococci strains) as the end product.
Source:PMID:15933032,
RHEA:42800