What is "indican"

Indican \In"di*can\, n. [See Indigo.]

1. (Chem.) 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-[beta]-D-glucopyranoside.

2. (Physiol. Chem.) An indigo-forming substance, found in urine, and other animal fluids, and convertible into red and blue indigo (urrhodin and uroglaucin). Chemically, it is indoxyl sulphate of potash, C8H6NSO4K, and is derived from the indol formed in the alimentary canal. Called also uroxanthin.

n. 1 (context organic compound English) A glucoside obtained from woad and other plants, the source of natural indigo. 2 (context organic compound English) An indigo-forming substance found in urine and other animal fluids, and convertible into red and blue indigo (urrhodin and uroglaucin); an indoxyl sulphate of potash.

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