What is "xanthophyll"

Xanthophyll \Xan"tho*phyll\, n. [Xantho- + Gr. fy`llon leaf.] (Bot.) A yellow coloring matter found in yellow autumn leaves, and also produced artificially from chlorophyll; -- formerly called also phylloxanthin.

n. 1 (context organic chemistry countable English) Any of various hydroxy, carbonyl or carboxylic acid derivatives of carotenes. 2 (context organic compound uncountable English) Alternative name for lutein.

n. yellow carotenoid pigments in plants and animal fats and egg yolks [syn: xanthophyl, lutein]

Xanthophylls (originally phylloxanthins) are yellow pigments that occur widely in nature and form one of two major divisions of the carotenoid group; the other division is formed by the carotenes. The name is from Greek xanthos (ξανθός, "yellow") and phyllon (φύλλον, "leaf"), due to their formation of the yellow band seen in early chromatography of leaf pigments.