Leucoanthocyanidin (flavan-3,4-diols) are colorless chemical compounds related to anthocyanidins and anthocyanins. Leucoanthocyanins can be found in Anadenanthera peregrina and in several species of Nepenthes including N. burbidgeae, N. muluensis, N. rajah, N. tentaculata, and N. × alisaputrana. Such compounds include: Leucoanthocyanidins have been demonstrated to be intermediates in anthocyanidin biosynthesis in flowers of Matthiola incana. Bate-smith recommended in 1954 the use of the Forestal solvent for the isolation of leuco-anthocyanins.

Metabolism

Leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase uses flavan-3,4-diols to produce 3-hydroxyanthocyanidins. The gene encoding the enzyme (PpLDOX) has been identified in peach and expression has been studied in Vitis vinifera.