Biochemical term for a non-protein compound necessary for enzyme function. Often contrasted with 補酵素, which is a more common synonym.
See also: 補酵素
Many B vitamins function as coenzymes.
Compound of 助 (jo, 'assist') and 酵素 (kōso, 'enzyme'), literally 'assisting enzyme'. The term is a direct calque of English 'coenzyme'.