xanthophyll

American  

[zan-thuh-fil] / ˈzæn θə fɪl /

Or xanthophyl

noun

Biochemistry.

1. lutein.

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xanthophyll British  

/ ˈzænθəʊfɪl /

noun

1. any of a group of yellow carotenoid pigments occurring in plant and animal tissue

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xanthophyll Scientific  

/ zăn′thə-fĭl′ /

1. 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.

2. See also carotene

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Other Word Forms

• xanthophyllous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of xanthophyll

From the French word xanthophylle, dating back to 1830–40. See xantho-, -phyll

Example Sentences

Xanthophyll differs markedly from carotin in its solubilities, being insoluble in petroleum ether and only sparingly soluble in carbon disulfide.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred

Xanthophyll, zan′thō-fil, n. any one of certain yellow pigments contained in leaves.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Xanthophyll: the yellow of autumn leaves; one of the substances found in the blood of insects.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

PALMER: Xanthophyll, the principal natural yellow pigment of the egg yolk, body fat and blood serum of the hen.

From The Vitamine Manual by Eddy, Walter H.