a yellow coloring originally isolated from egg yolk, now isolated from petals of flowers. Occurs also in colored feathers of birds. One of the most widespread carotenoid alcohols (a group of red and yellow pigments) in nature. Provisionally listed for use in food. Although carotenoids can usually be turned into Vitamin A, xanthophyll has no Vitamin A activity., vetikatest ja kõrvenõgestest saadav kollane isopreenvärvaine, ksantofüll - pms. taimede lehtedes, õites ja viljades leiduv kollane pigment, hapnikku sisaldav karotinoid; tekib plastiidides koos mitme teise pigmendiga. K-i on looduses nii vabalt kui ka estrite koostises; ta moodustub karotiini oksüdeerumisel. K-i sisaldab nt. munakollane.