| carotin | <biochemistry> Hydrocarbon carotenoids usually with 9 conjugated double bonds. _ carotene is the precursor of Vitamin A, each molecule giving rise to two Vitamin A molecules. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| carotinaemia | Tempoary yellowing of the skin due to excessive carotene in the diet, commonly seen in infants fed too much mushed carrots or adults consuming high quantities of carrots or beta-carotene. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carotinase | <enzyme> An enzyme catalyzing the reaction of beta-carotene plus O2 producing two retinals. Synonym: beta-carotene cleavage enzyme, carotenase, carotinase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotinoid | <biochemistry> Accessory lipophilic photosynthetic pigments in plants and bacteria, including carotenes and xanthophylls, red, orange or yellow, with broad absorption peaks at 450-480nm. Act as secondary light harvesting pigments, passing energy to chlorophyll and as protective agents, preventing photoxidation of chlorophyll. Found in chloroplasts and also in plastids in some nonphotosynthetic tissues, for example carrot root. (18 Nov 1997) |
| carotinosis cutis | A harmless reversible yellow colouration of the skin caused by an increase in carotene content. Synonym: carotenoderma, carotinosis cutis. (05 Mar 2000) |