- chromogen
- 1. A substance, itself without definite color, that may be transformed into a pigment; denoting especially benzene and its homologs toluene, xylene, quinone, naphthalene, and anthracene, from which the aniline dyes are manufactured. 2. A microorganism that produces pigment. 3. A compound, containing a chromophore, that is colorless if that chromophore is removed.- Porter-Silber chromogens yellow phenylhydrazones formed by the reaction of 17,21-dihydroxy-20-oxosteroids with a phenylhydrazine-ethanol-sulfuric acid reagent; used chiefly to determine plasma cortisol concentrations and the urinary output of 17-hydroxycorticoids.
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chro·mo·gen 'krō-mə-jən n1 a) a precursor of a biochemical pigmentb) a compound not itself a dye but containing a chromophore and so capable of becoming one2) a pigment-producing microorganism <many bacteria are \chromogens>chro·mo·gen·ic .krō-mə-'jen-ik adj* * *
chro·mo·gen (kroґmo-jən) 1. a chemical compound, itself without color, that can be transformed into a colored compound or can react with another material to form a colored compound. 2. a microorganism that produces pigment, e.g., certain strains of Mycobacterium that produce yellow to red colonies.
Medical dictionary. 2011.