1 anthocyanin | Definition of anthocyanin

anthocyanin

noun
an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin | \ ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən How to pronounce anthocyanin (audio) \

Definition of anthocyanin

: any of various soluble glycoside pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

Examples of anthocyanin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eggplant anthocyanins have been shown to help reduce artery stiffness and central blood pressure in women. Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, "The Health Benefits of Eggplants," 8 Aug. 2019 But anthocyanins are also far less stable in warm temperatures than in cold, which explains why your Japanese maple that looked fabulous during spring’s cooler temperatures looks a bit muddy later in the summer. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, "Why do some garden leaves turn green, white and yellow? Foliage decoded," 14 June 2019 The anthocyanins found in red cabbage can help boost circulation, protect your cardiovascular system, and offset damage to your body’s cells. Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "Fact: Cabbage Packs the Same Nutritional Benefits as Kale," 7 Jan. 2019 In the fall anthocyanins are manufactured from the sugars that are trapped in the leaf. Brian Resnick, Vox, "When and where fall foliage colors will peak, in one map," 13 Oct. 2018 For instance, Red Delicious apples contain nearly five times as much anthocyanins as Granny Smiths. Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Good Housekeeping, "Why Apples Are One of the Best Fruits You Can Possibly Eat," 23 Mar. 2018 The ingredient is rich in anthocyanin, an antioxidant that helps your complexion recover from stress and pollution. Glamour, "This Moisturizer Instantly Gives Me Dewy Dumpling Skin," 11 Mar. 2019 Arthritis: All berries contain anthocyanins that have been found to have an anti-inflammatory effect that can help ease the symptoms, says the Arthritis Foundation. Tehrene Firman, Good Housekeeping, "10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold"," 23 July 2018 Cabbage is packed with special flavonoids called anthocyanins, which give cabbage its red and purple color. Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "Fact: Cabbage Packs the Same Nutritional Benefits as Kale," 7 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anthocyanin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of anthocyanin

1853, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for anthocyanin

borrowed from German Anthocyanin, from Anthocyan, Anthokyan, an earlier name (from Greek antho- antho- + kyan-, in kyánōs "blue color") + -in -in entry 1 — more at cyano-

Note: Anthokyan was coined by the German pharmacist Ludwig Clamor Marquart (1804-81), in Die Farben der Blüthen (Bonn, 1835), p. 55: Anthokyan (von ἄνθος Blume, und κυάνωσις blaue Farbe) ist der färbende Stoff in der blauen, violetten und rothen und vermittelt ebenfalls die Farbe aller braunen und vieler pomeranzfarbigen Blumen ("Anthokyan [from ánthos flower, and kyánōsis blue color] is the coloring matter in blue, violet and red flowers, and imparts in any case color to all brown and many orange flowers"). A German form with the suffix -in and an English form with the suffix -ine were in use by the 1850's.

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More Definitions for anthocyanin

anthocyanin

noun
an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin | \ ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən How to pronounce anthocyanin (audio) \
variants: also anthocyan \ -​ˈsī-​ən, -​ˌan How to pronounce anthocyan (audio) \

Medical Definition of anthocyanin

: any of various soluble glycoside pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

More from Merriam-Webster on anthocyanin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anthocyanin