carotenoid

Introduction

Yellow, orange, & red pigments synthesized by plants.

Epidemiology

• the most common carotenoids in North American diets are
  • alpha-carotene
  • beta-carotene
  • beta-cryptoxanthin
  • lutein
  • zeaxanthin
  • lycopene

Pathology

• excess consumption associated with carotenodermia

Physiology

• co-consumption of dietary fat is essential for carotenoid absorption from the GI tract

More general terms

• pigment
• terpene; polymer of isoprene
• bioagent

More specific terms

• alpha-carotene
• astaxanthin
• beta-carotene
• beta-cryptoxanthin
• canthaxanthin
• lutein (xanthophyll)
• lycopene
• zeaxanthin; anchovyxanthin

Additional terms

• carotenodermia