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

Both sets of organisms stabilize luciferin by adding sulfur to its chemical structure, even though the sulfur-adding proteins are very different, she has found.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 24, 2022

These genes relate to enzymes that convert caffeic acid, through a series of steps, into a luciferin that emits energy as light, before turning the resulting substance back into caffeic acid.

From The Guardian • Apr. 27, 2020

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

His focus was on a class of compounds, luciferin, that are bioluminescent.

From New York Times • May 12, 2013

“There’s remnant luciferin on this plant life,” I say, telling the truth.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera