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Glite Dictionary
phytol

phytol

9.6
A natural oily substance in plants, especially in chlorophyll, used to make vitamins and perfumes
  • noun
  • /ˈfaɪtəl/
  • Specialized
: fitol
  • The production of vitamin E often starts with extracting phytol from plant material.

Examples

  • Many cosmetics contain phytol for its moisturizing properties.

  • Scientists discovered that phytol plays a role in the structure of chlorophyll.

  • Researchers isolated phytol from spinach leaves to study its chemical properties.

  • The phytol extracted from plants is essential for vitamin production.

  • Researchers isolated phytol from spinach leaves to study its chemical properties.

  • The production of vitamin E often starts with extracting phytol from plant material.

  • Many cosmetics contain phytol for its moisturizing properties.

Surface Forms

phytol singular
phytols plural

Morphology

phytol = phyto (semi-transparent) = phyto + ol

Formed from the combining form 'phyto-' (plant) plus the chemical suffix '-ol' (alcohol); the construction is clear to those with scientific vocabulary but not to average learners.

Etymology

Phytol comes from the Greek root phyto- meaning 'plant' and the chemical ending -ol meaning 'alcohol'. So, phytol is a 'plant' 'alcohol', which helps explain why it is found in chlorophyll and used to make vitamins and perfumes.