violaxanthin

English

Noun

violaxanthin (countable and uncountable, plural violaxanthins)

1. (organic chemistry) A xanthophyll pigment (a di-epoxide, derived from zeaxanthin) that occurs in many plants.
   • 2012, N.I. Krinsky, Carotenoids: Chemistry and Biology, page 11:

     It can be assumed that the sinensiaxanthins and sinensiachromes represent degradation products of the violaxanthins, luteoxanthins and auroxanthins which are found in considerable amounts in yellow roses.

Synonyms

• E161e when used as a food colouring

Related terms

• violaxanthal