xan·tho·phyll (z n th -f l )n. 1. A yellow carotenoid pigment, C40H56O2, found with chlorophyll in green plants and identical with lutein. 2. Any of various related yellow pigments. xan tho·phyllic, xantho·phyllous adj. |
xanthophyll esp US, xanthophyl [ˈzænθəʊfɪl]
n
(Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) any of a group of yellow carotenoid pigments occurring in plant and animal tissue
xanthophyllous adj
| xanthophyll (znth-fl) Any of various yellow pigments occurring in the leaves of plants and giving young shoots and late autumn leaves their characteristic color. This color is masked by chlorophyll when the leaf is mature. Xanthophylls aid in the absorption of light by capturing certain wavelengths not captured by chlorophyll and rapidly transferring the energy to chlorophyll by boosting one of its electrons to a higher energy level. Xanthophylls are carotenoids, differing from carotenes in having one or more oxygen-containing groups attached. See also carotene. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | xanthophyll - yellow carotenoid pigments in plants and animal fats and egg yolks carotenoid - any of a class of highly unsaturated yellow to red pigments occurring in plants and animals |
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