# DBT JRF 2022 — Question 114

Exam: DBT JRF 2022 · Section: B · Topic: Biochemistry › Plant Pigments - Betalains · Difficulty: Medium

## Question

The red color of beetroot is due to the presence of:

## Options

- **A.** Betalains
- **B.** Anthocyanins
- **C.** Flavonoids
- **D.** Carotenoids

## Answer

Option A

## Explanation

Beetroot pigment — betalains: The red/purple/violet colour of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) comes from BETALAINS, not anthocyanins (as is often mistakenly assumed): • Betalains: nitrogen-containing water-soluble pigments unique to plants of the order Caryophyllales. - Betacyanins: red/violet pigments (e.g., betanin, the main pigment in red beetroot) - Betaxanthins: yellow/orange pigments • Anthocyanins: produced by most other plants (blueberries, red cabbage) for similar colours; but NOT produced by Caryophyllales plants (mutual exclusivity). Biotechnological applications of betalains: • Natural food colourant (E162) • Antioxidant properties • Potential anti-cancer activity Betalains are water-soluble, pH-stable (unlike anthocyanins which change colour with pH), and heat-sensitive. Answer: Beetroot's red colour comes from BETALAINS (specifically betacyanins like betanin), NOT anthocyanins.

Source: https://mypyqbuddy.com/questions/the-red-color-of-beetroot-is-due-to-6a104cd5920734408bc0c781