¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Carotenoids
1. carotenoid [n] - See also: carotenoid
Medical Definition of Carotenoids
1. Generic term for a class of carotenes and their oxygenated derivatives (xanthophylls) consisting of 8 isoprenoid units joined so that the orientation of these units is reversed at the centre, placing the two central methyl groups in a 1,6 relationship in contrast to the 1,5 of the others. All carotenoids may be formally derived from the acyclic C40H56 structure (part IA, known as lycopene, of the accompanying group of structures) with its long central chain of conjugated double bonds by hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, oxidation, cyclization, or combinations of these. Included as carotenoids are some compounds arising from certain rearrangements or degradations of the carbon skeleton (structure IB), but not retinol and related C20 compounds. The nine-carbon end-groups may be acyclic with 1,2 and 5,6 double bonds (as in structure IA) or cyclohexanes with a single double bond at 5,6 or 5,4, or cyclopentanes or aryl groups; these are now designated by Greek letter prefixes (illustrated in part II of the accompanying group of structures) preceding "carotene" (a and d, which are used in the trivial names alpha-carotene and d-carotene, are not used for that reason). Suffixes (-oic acid, -oate, -al, -one, -ol) indicate certain oxygen-containing groups (acid, ester, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol); all other substitutions appear as prefixes (alkoxy-, epoxy-, hydro-, etc.). The configuration about all double bonds is trans unless cis and locant numbers appear. The prefix retro-is used to indicate a shift of one position of all single and double bonds; apo-indicates shortening of the molecule. Many carotenoids have anticancer activities. (05 Mar 2000)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Carotenoids
Literary usage of Carotenoids
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1883)
"If we can allow for the evolution and diversification of carotenoids after the
... In these, chlorophyll a and probably certain carotenoids that served as ..."
2. Can Food-Based Strategies Help Reduce Vitnam A and Iron Deficiencies?: A by Marie T. Ruel (2001)
"Foods rich in provitamin A carotenoids, such as fruits and vegetables, are often
highly seasonal. Home preservation techniques such as solar ..."
3. Journal of the American Chemical Society by American Chemical Society (1879)
"... however, are protected from the lethal effects of their own chlorophyll by
carotenoids; mutants lacking certain carotenoids are readily killed by light ..."
4. Composition on Foods: Fast Foods (Raw, Processed, Prepared) by Lynn E. Dickey, John L. Weihrauch (1988)
"To determine an accurate vitamin A value, the active carotenoids must be ...
However, data obtained by separating individual carotenoids are not yet ..."
5. A Lifelong Passion: Nicholas and Alexandra: Their Own Story by Andrei Maylunas (2005)
"We evaluated the baseline serum levels of beta carotene, total carotenoids,
vitamin A and E, and retinol-binding protein among 156 initially healthy men who ..."
Other Resources:
