Anthocyanidins have been extensively studied, but little is known about the important secondary metabolite betalains, a homologue of anthocyanidins in higher plants.

• 摘要植物花色素的研究已经非常广泛和深入，但是甜菜素作为类似花色素的一种重要的植物次生代谢物质还不被人们所熟悉。