carotenoid
definition of carotenoid
1. a substance that makes certain fruits and vegetables yellow, orange, or red. Some carotenoids (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) can be made into vitamin A by the body. Other carotenoids (lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) cannot be made into vitamin A by the body. All carotenoids are antioxidants.1