A method for the purification of gossypol has been developed which yields material differing in optical properties from those previously reported for gossypol preparations. A colorimetric test for extractable gossypol has been described. It has been shown that cottonseed contains at least three pigments in addition to gossypol. Some of the properties of the three pigments have been reported. One of these newly detected pigments, gossypurpurin, has been shown to be the substance which, mixed with gossypol, constitutes the so-called “red gossypol” of Podol’skaja. The frequently reported water-dispersable blue pigment of cottonseed has been shown to be either a complex of gossypol, gossypurpurin and protein or a mixture of two protein-pigment complexes. Its dissociation into the two pigments and protein has been accomplished.