Term: xenobiotic
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.XT06755

Definition:
A xenobiotic (Greek, xenos 'foreign'; bios 'life') is a compound that is foreign to a living organism. Principal xenobiotics include: drugs; carcinogens; and various compounds that have been introduced into the environment by artificial means.

Source: PAC, 1997, 69, 1251. 'Glossary of terms used in bioinorganic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1997)' on page 1303 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199769061251)

Citation: 'xenobiotic' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.XT06755

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