Cleaves a variety of carotenoids symmetrically at both the 9-10 and 9'-10' double bonds. Catalyzes the formation of 4,9-dimethyldodeca-2,4,6,8,10-pentaene-1,12-dialdehyde and probably hydroxydihydro-beta-ionone from zeaxanthin. all-trans-zeaxanthin + 2 O2 = 2 (3R)-hydroxy-beta-ionone + 4,9-dimethyldodeca-2,4,6,8,10-pentaenedial Binds 1 Fe(2+) ion per subunit. In vegetative and floral tissues. Constitutively expressed at low level in all tissues. Belongs to the carotenoid oxygenase family.