Involved in the biosynthesis of the yellow-orange carotenoid staphyloxanthin, which plays a role in the virulence via its protective function against oxidative stress. Catalyzes the oxidation of the terminal methyl side group of 4,4'-diaponeurosporene to form 4,4'-diaponeurosporen-4-al. The C40 carotenoid lycopene is a poor substrate