ON THE QUESTION OF THE MUTUAL EXCLUSIVENESS OF BETALAINS AND ANTHOCYANINS

Abstract

Summary In 1949 betalains were reported to possibly co‐occur with an anthocyanidin (cyanidin) in Carpobrotus edulis; however, upon re‐examination of this plant, only betalains and leuco‐anthocyanidins were detected. Thus, to date, all evidence indicates that the two classes of plant pigments, betalains and anthocyanins, are mutually exclusive. The detection of betalains in seven species belonging to the family Amaranthaceae and ten species of the Chenopodiaceae are also reported.