Carotenoid

Carotenoid [ Botany - Biochemistry ]
(carotene)

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names


	Carotenoid is a class of plant pigments occurring in red, orange, yellow and brown colours. The carotenoids are found in most higher plants and generate many of the colours typical of autumn foliage; floral colours that attract pollinators; and the characteristic colours of many fruits and vegetables.

The carotenoids are divided into two subgroups: the carotenes and the xanthophylls. Carotene is the pigment responsible for the colour of carrots. Carotene also assists photosynthesis by transmitting energy from absorbed light to chlorophyll. The oxygenated derivatives of carotenes are known as xanthophylls. (compare with: chlorophyll, betalains, anthocyanin, flavonoids)

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