ScienceSeptember 2, 2026
phytoene
FY-toh-een
Definition
A colorless precursor molecule that serves as a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of carotenoids, including lycopene, in plants.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'phyton' (plant) and the chemical suffix '-ene' (used for unsaturated hydrocarbons). It was named in the early 20th century to describe this specific plant-derived chemical compound.
In the news
The article mentions phytoene in the context of research on how LED light placement influences the nutritional and chemical synthesis of tomatoes, specifically regarding the production of pigments and nutrients.
A single gene on chromosome 7 of a wild tomato lets modern hybrids grow under 24-hour light and yield up to 20% more fruit
Read the full article ↗ScienceBlog.com