| anthocyanin | <plant biology> A blue, purple or red, accessory pigment found in plants. Anthocyanins are water-soluble glucosides that are not directly involved in photosynthesis and can mask the green of chlorophyll giving the plant a red purple colour. Compare: carotenoid. (13 Oct 1997) |
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| anthocyanins | Glycosidic pigments in blue, red, and purple flowers and also found as metabolic byproducts in blood and urine. (12 Dec 1998) |