Morindin is an

anthraquinone Anthraquinone, also called anthracenedione or dioxoanthracene, is an aromatic organic compound with formula . Isomers include various quinone derivatives. The term anthraquinone however refers to the isomer, 9,10-anthraquinone (IUPAC: 9,10-dioxoan ...

glycoside In chemistry, a glycoside is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycoside ...

present in several ''

Morinda ''Morinda'' is a genus of flowering plants in the madder family, Rubiaceae. The generic name is derived from the Latin words ''morus'' " mulberry", from the appearance of the fruits, and ''indica'', meaning "of India". Description Distributed ...

'' species, especially '' M. tinctoria'' (the Indian mulberry tree) and '' M. citrifolia'' (noni). Chemical or

enzymatic Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. ...

hydrolysis Hydrolysis (; ) is any chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds. The term is used broadly for substitution, elimination, and solvation reactions in which water is the nucleophile. Biological hydrolysis ...

of morindin yields its bright red

aglycone An aglycone (aglycon or genin) is the compound remaining after the glycosyl group on a glycoside is replaced by a hydrogen atom. For example, the aglycone of a cardiac glycoside would be a steroid A steroid is a biologically active organic c ...

morindone Morindone is an anthraquinone compound obtained from various ''Morinda'' species, especially '' M. tinctoria'', but also '' M. citrifolia''. Its principal use is as a dye, but it has also been investigated for anticancer and microbial uses. Prep ...

. The structure and formula of morindin were first elucidated by

Thomas Edward Thorpe Sir Thomas Edward Thorpe CB, FRS HFRSE LLD (8 December 1845 – 23 February 1925) was a British chemist. From 1894 to 1909 he was Chief Chemist to the British Government, as Director of the Government Laboratory. Early life and education Tho ...

and T. H. Greenall in 1887.

References

Anthraquinone dyes Anthraquinone glycosides Natural dyes Trihydroxyanthraquinones {{Organic-compound-stub