luciferin

American  

[loo-sif-er-in] / luˈsɪf ər ɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a pigment occurring in bioluminescent organisms, such as fireflies, that emits light when undergoing oxidation.

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luciferin British  

/ luːˈsɪfərɪn /

noun

1. biochem a substance occurring in bioluminescent organisms, such as glow-worms and fireflies. It undergoes an enzyme-catalysed oxidation and emits light on decaying to its ground state

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Etymology

Origin of luciferin

First recorded in 1885–90; from Latin lūcifer ( see Lucifer) + -in ²

Example Sentences

The genome might also enable researchers to track down the enzymes that make luciferin and modulate its release.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 24, 2022

Like many bioluminescent animals their light is created by a reaction between the light-emitting molecule luciferin and the enzyme luciferase.

From National Geographic • Jun. 30, 2018

The chemical ingredient that creates the firefly light, luciferin, tastes like something gnawing at your tongue; it’s corrosive like battery acid.

From The Guardian • Aug. 19, 2015

“An enzyme, luciferase, and a substrate, luciferin, are held in tiny bags called vesicles inside the cell,” he said.

From New York Times • Nov. 7, 2011

But I’m ninety-nine percent sure he has no idea what luciferin is.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera