the anthocyanins, anthocyanidins with sugar group(s), are mostly 3-glucosides of the anthocyanidins. the anthocyanins are subdivided into the sugar-free anthocyanidin aglycones and the anthocyanin glycosides. as of 2003, more than 400 anthocyanins had been reported, while later literature in early 2006, puts the number at more than 550 different anthocyanins. the difference in chemical structure that occurs in response to changes in ph, is the reason why anthocyanins often are used as ph indicators, as they change from red in acids to blue in bases.