anthocyanin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “anthocyanin” mean?
A water-soluble pigment found in the vacuoles of plant cells, responsible for red, purple, and blue colors in flowers, fruits, and leaves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A water-soluble pigment found in the vacuoles of plant cells, responsible for red, purple, and blue colors in flowers, fruits, and leaves.
Any of a class of flavonoid pigments that appear red, purple, or blue depending on pH; often studied for their antioxidant properties and potential health benefits.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; spelling and pronunciation follow standard regional patterns.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in specialized contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “anthocyanin” in a Sentence
The [plant tissue] contains [quantity] of anthocyanins.[Environmental factor] influences anthocyanin production in [plant part].Scientists are studying the [property] of anthocyanins in [food].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anthocyanin” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The anthocyanin pigments in the autumn leaves were particularly vibrant this year.
- We analysed the anthocyanin content of several British blackberry cultivars.
American English
- The anthocyanin concentration in these blueberries is exceptionally high.
- Researchers observed anthocyanin accumulation in the stressed maize leaves.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in nutraceutical, cosmetic, or functional food marketing (e.g., 'anthocyanin-rich supplements').
Academic
Common in plant physiology, biochemistry, food science, and nutritional studies journals.
Everyday
Very rare; might appear in health food or gardening discussions.
Technical
Standard term in botany, horticulture, food chemistry, and plant genetics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anthocyanin”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anthocyanin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anthocyanin”
- Mispronouncing as 'antho-cyan-ine' /ænθəʊˈsaɪəniːn/ (adding extra syllable).
- Using as a countable noun for individual colors rather than the compound class ('an anthocyanin' vs. 'anthocyanin pigments').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Anthocyanins are a specific class of pigment compounds that often have antioxidant properties, but 'antioxidant' is a broader functional term for many different substances.
Yes, they are naturally consumed when eating coloured fruits and vegetables like berries, red cabbage, and aubergine. They are generally considered safe and are studied for potential health benefits.
In many plants, chlorophyll breaks down in autumn, revealing other pigments like anthocyanins (which are newly synthesised in some species in response to light and cool temperatures), creating red and purple hues.
It is a natural pigment and can be used as a food colourant (E163). However, as a scientific term, 'dye' is less precise than 'pigment' or 'colourant'.
A water-soluble pigment found in the vacuoles of plant cells, responsible for red, purple, and blue colors in flowers, fruits, and leaves.
Anthocyanin is usually technical/scientific in register.
Anthocyanin: in British English it is pronounced /ˌanθə(ʊ)ˈsʌɪənɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænθoʊˈsaɪənɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANTHO (flower) + CYAN (blue) + IN (chemical suffix) = the blue/red pigment in flowers.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE'S PH INDICATOR; PLANT SUNSCREEN; HEALTH SHIELD IN BERRIES
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would the term 'anthocyanin' be LEAST likely to appear?