Hypertext Webster Gateway: "indican"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Indican \In"di*can\, n. [See {Indigo}.]
1. (Chem.) A glucoside obtained from woad (indigo plant) and
other plants, as a yellow or light brown sirup. It has a
nauseous bitter taste, a decomposes or drying. By the
action of acids, ferments, etc., it breaks down into sugar
and indigo. It is the source of natural indigo.
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}.
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