The importance of red pigments to plant life: experiments with anthocyanins

Some simple methods for the extraction of anthocyanins from plant tissues are described, as well as methods of measuring and assaying their potential use as UV radiation protectants. Anthocyanin-less mutant Fast Plants (Brassica rapa) are more severely affected by doses of UV than wild-type controls, and thus show the value of such pigments in protection from UV radiation. Some possible roles for anthocyanins in plants are reviewed. A bioassay using bacteria is suggested, as well as a range of possible investigations suitable for post-16 students.