Biologically Active Substance
carotenoid

ca·rot·e·noid [ kuh-rot-n-oid ]
Subclass of:
Cyclohexenes;
Terpenes;
Polyenes
Definitions related to carotenoids:
-
A class of hydrocarbons (carotenes) and their oxygenated derivatives which exhibit chemopreventive properties. Carotenoids are pigments found in green, yellow, and leafy vegetables, and yellow fruits. The pigments are fat-soluble, unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons functioning as provitamins and are converted to vitamin A through enzymatic processes in the intestinal wall.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
A yellow, red, or orange substance found mostly in plants, including carrots, sweet potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, and many fruits, grains, and oils. Some carotenoids are changed into vitamin A in the body and some are being studied in the prevention of cancer. A carotenoid is a type of antioxidant and a type of provitamin.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
Class of compounds usually consisting of a hydrocarbon chain of 40 carbons, nine conjugated double bonds, and one or two cyclic structures at the ends of the conjugated chain.CRCH Nutrition TerminologyCancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, 2021
-
Group of fat-soluble pigments found in green, yellow, and leafy vegetables, and yellow fruits; they are aliphatic hydrocarbons consisting of a polyisoprene backbone.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
-
Compounds such as lycopene and beta carotene that give red, yellow, and orange color to certain plants.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
-
The general name for a group of fat-soluble pigments found in green, yellow, and leafy vegetables, and yellow fruits. They are aliphatic hydrocarbons containing 4 terpene subunits.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
Carotenoid, any of a group of nonnitrogenous yellow, orange, or red pigments (biochromes) that are almost universally distributed in living things. There are two major types: the hydrocarbon class, or carotenes, and the oxygenated (alcoholic) class, or xanthophylls. Synthesized by bacteria, fungi...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> C
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.