Description

Anthocyanins (also anthocyans; from Greek: ἀνθός (anthos) = flower + κυανός (kyanos) = blue) arewater-soluble vacuolar pigments that may appear red, purple, or blue dependingon the pH. They belong to a parent class of molecules called flavonoidssynthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway; they are odorless and nearlyflavorless, contributing to taste as a moderately astringent sensation.Anthocyanins occur in all tissues of higher plants, including leaves, stems,roots, flowers, and fruits. Anthoxanthins are clear, white to yellowcounterparts of anthocyanins occurring in plants. Anthocyanins are derived fromanthocyanidins by adding pendant sugars.