n. A red carotenoid pigment, C40H52O4, produced by certain bacteria, fungi, and green algae and found in wild salmon, trout, and some crustaceans. It is used in animal feed to impart color and as an antioxidant. [From New Latin Astacus, former genus name of Homarus gammarus, the species of lobster from which the pigment was first extracted (from Latin astacus, lobster, from Greek astakos, variant of ostakos; see ost- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots) + XANTH(O)- + -IN.] |
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