Xanthopterin is a yellow, crystalline
solid
Solid is a state of matter where molecules are closely packed and can not slide past each other. Solids resist compression, expansion, or external forces that would alter its shape, with the degree to which they are resisted dependent upon the ...
[http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?xanthopterin ] that occurs mainly in the wings of
butterflies and in the urine of
mammal
A mammal () is a vertebrate animal of the Class (biology), class Mammalia (). Mammals are characterised by the presence of milk-producing mammary glands for feeding their young, a broad neocortex region of the brain, fur or hair, and three ...
s.
Small microorganisms convert it into
folic acid
Folate, also known as vitamin B9 and folacin, is one of the B vitamins. Manufactured folic acid, which is converted into folate by the body, is used as a dietary supplement and in food fortification as it is more stable during processing and ...
. It is the end product of a non-conjugated
pteridine compound
and inhibits the growth of
lymphocytes produced by
concanavalin.
High levels of the chemical were found in patients with liver disease and hemolysis, the latter increasing levels by 35%.
It was suggested, without direct proof, that the
Oriental hornet uses xanthopterin as a light-harvesting molecule to transform light into electrical energy, which explains why the insects are more active when light intensity is greater. It remains an active and controversial area of scientific research (Plotkin et al., Naturwissenschaften (2010) 97:1067–1076).
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References
Pteridines
Lactams
{{heterocyclic-stub