Information About

Xanthophyll




In plants, xanthophylls are considered Accessory Pigment s, along with Anthocyanin s, Carotene s, and sometimes Phycobilin s.

Animal s cannot produce xanthophylls, and thus xanthophylls found in animals (e.g. in the eye) come from their food intake. The yellow color of chicken Egg Yolk s also comes from ingested xanthophylls.

Xanthophylls are oxidized derivatives of Carotene s. They contain Hydroxyl Group s and are more Polar .

The group of xanthophylls is composed of Lutein , Zeaxanthin , and α- and β- Cryptoxanthin .