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Siderophore
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<p>Siderophores (Greek: "iron carrier") are small, high-affinity <a href="/facts/Iron/DkICCKIC">iron</a>-<a href="/facts/Chelation/4G79sXBB">chelating</a> compounds that are secreted by <a href="/facts/Microorganism/pysJYcE2">microorganisms</a> such as bacteria and fungi. They help the organism accumulate iron. Although a widening range of siderophore functions is now being appreciated, siderophores are among the strongest (highest affinity) Fe3+ binding agents known. Phytosiderophores are siderophores produced by plants. </p>