Carotenoid

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical

**Definition:** A class of hydrocarbons (carotenes) and their oxygenated derivatives which exhibit chemopreventive properties. Carotenoids are pigments found in green, yellow, and leafy vegetables, and yellow fruits. The pigments are fat-soluble, unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons functioning as provitamins and are converted to vitamin A through enzymatic processes in the intestinal wall.

**Synonyms:** - Carotenoids - Carotenoids (NOS) - carotenoid