carotenoid
1 of 1noun/kəˈrɑtəˌnɔɪd/
Forms:carotenoids
1
a type of pigment found in plants, algae, and some bacteria, responsible for bright red, yellow, and orange colors and important for photosynthesis and antioxidant activity
- The vivid orange color of carrots is due to the high concentration of carotenoids in their tissues.
- Carotenoids in leaves help protect the plant cells from damage caused by excessive sunlight.
- The pink hue of flamingos' feathers comes from carotenoids in their diet of algae and crustaceans.
- Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid known for its potential health benefits.
- Scientists study carotenoids to understand their role in human nutrition and disease prevention.