violaxanthin Biochem.
(ˌvaɪələˈzænθɪn)
[a. G. viola-xanthin (Kuhn & Winterstein 1931, in Ber. d. Deut. Chem. Ges. LXIV. 327): see viola1 and xanthin.]
A xanthophyll, C40H56O4, occurring as a yellow pigment in daffodils and some other plants.
| 1931 Chem. Abstr. XXV. 3351 The petals of the yellow pansy contain..a pigment wax which can be extd. with petroleum ether and on sapon. yields a well-crystd. xanthophyll, viola-xanthin. 1965 [see lycopin]. 1978 Nature 13 July 160/2 The photosynthetic pigments found in [the green alga] C[odium] fragile (β-carotene, zeaxanthin,..violaxanthin,..and chlorophyll b). |