What does zeaxanthin mean?
Zeaxanthin is a yellow carotenoid pigment belonging to the xanthophyll group of plant and animal colourants. It occurs naturally in maize, many leafy vegetables, egg yolks, some algae, and the human retina, where it works together with lutein to form the eye's macular pigment. In plants, zeaxanthin contributes to golden or yellow colouring; in the eye, it helps filter high-energy light, especially blue light, in the retina's central region. Researchers study zeaxanthin because of its biological functions and because its concentration in foods and tissues can be measured nutritionally. The word is most common in scientific and health-related writing rather than everyday speech. It should not be confused with lutein: although both are yellow carotenoids and often occur together, they are separate chemical compounds with related but distinct properties.
nounA yellow xanthophyll carotenoid pigment found in plants, algae, and some animals, especially maize, egg yolks, and the human retina. It is one of the pigments that form the eye's macular pigment.
- A yellow xanthophyll carotenoid pigment occurring in plants, algae, some animals, and the human retina.
"Maize kernels contain zeaxanthin, a yellow pigment that contributes to their golden colour."
"The study measured changes in zeaxanthin levels after participants ate leafy green vegetables."
"Zeaxanthin and lutein form much of the yellow macular pigment in the centre of the retina."
The plural is uncommon and is used mainly when individual zeaxanthin molecules or distinct zeaxanthin forms are being discussed.
"The researchers compared zeaxanthins isolated from different varieties of maize."
The same golden pigment that helps colour maize also helps your retina filter blue light.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of zeaxanthin
The name zeaxanthin combines the scientific genus Zea, associated with maize, with the Greek root xanthos, meaning “yellow,” and the chemical suffix -in. The xanth- element continues to appear in English words describing yellow substances or yellow pigmentation, including xanthophyll and xanthic.
How zeaxanthin is actually used
The term is formal and scientific, occurring mainly in biology, nutrition, food science, and eye-health research. It is usually used as a mass noun when discussing the pigment as a substance.
Easily confused with zeaxanthin
Both are yellow carotenoid pigments found in plants and in the eye, but zeaxanthin and lutein are chemically distinct compounds.