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Which major natural pigments lack nitrogen?
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In the study of biological coloration, natural pigments are categorized based on their chemical composition, specifically whether their molecules contain nitrogen.
The most important, conspicuous, and widely distributed group of pigments that lack nitrogen are the carotenoids. These pigments, which produce yellow, orange, or red hues, are synthesized by plants, bacteria, and fungi and are found throughout the animal kingdom.12
Other natural pigments that do not contain nitrogen include:
* Naphthoquinones1
* Anthraquinones1
* Flavonoids1
While these additional pigments are also synthesized in plants, they have a more limited distribution in animals compared to carotenoids, and their specific physiological roles remain less understood.1