Indican
n.
A glucoside ( C14H17NO6 ) obtained from woad (indigo plant, Isatis Tinctoria ) and other plants (see indigo ), as a yellow or light brown sirup. When purified it is obtained as spear-shaped crystals. It has a nauseous bitter taste. By the action of acids, enzymes, etc., it breaks down into sugar and indigo. It is the source of natural indigo . Chemically it is the 3-glucoside of indole, H-indol-3-yl-β-D-glucopyranoside .
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