chromogen

noun chro·mo·gen \ˈkrō-mə-jən\

Definition of CHROMOGEN

: a precursor of a biochemical pigment

: a pigment-producing microorganism

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use: 1858

Medical Dictionary

noun chro·mo·gen \ˈkrō-mə-jən\

a : a precursor of a biochemical pigment b : a compound not itself a dye but containing a chromophore and so capable of becoming one

: a pigment-producing microorganism <many bacteria are chromogens>

—chro·mo·gen·ic \ˌkrō-mə-ˈjen-ik\ adjective

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