indican

Indican is a colourless organic compound, soluble in water, naturally occurring in Indigofera plants. It is a precursor of indigo dye.

Common and significant reactions involving indican are as follows:

Indican is a glycoside. Its hydrolysis yields β-D-glucose and indoxyl.

Reaction of indoxyl (indican) by a mild oxidizing agent, e.g. atmospheric oxygen, yields indigo dye which is blue in colour.

A reaction, similar to the above-mentioned is seen in the normal population, who excrete small amounts ...