xanthophyll (redirected from xanthophyllic)

xan·tho·phyll  (znth-fl)

n.

1. A yellow carotenoid pigment, C₄₀H₅₆O₂, found with chlorophyll in green plants and identical with lutein.

2. Any of various related yellow pigments.

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xantho·phyllic, xantho·phyllous adj.

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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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

xanthophyll - yellow carotenoid pigments in plants and animal fats and egg yolks lutein, xanthophyl carotenoid - any of a class of highly unsaturated yellow to red pigments occurring in plants and animals