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indican |
1 definition found 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}.