How do fruits have such brilliant colors?

Question

i know that leaves get their green pigmentation from chloroplasts, but where do fruits get such bright exotic colors?

Answer 1

Fruit carry many of the same classes of pigments as leaves. The carotenoids, present in smaller amounts in leaves are present in many fruits giving them vivid yellow or orange colors. The other pigment class in fruit is anthocyanins seen in the blue fruit, blueberries & blackberries. The various jewel colors come from these pigments in the fruit & flowers.

Carotenoids reflect yellow, orange, or red and absorb blue light. There are over 600 known carotenoids.
The breakdown products of carotenoids are fragrant, producing the key odour-contributing compounds in some roses, black tea, tobacco, grape and many fruits.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotenoid
Anthocyanins reflect red, blue, purple, or magenta colors. Recent literature reports some 550 anthocyanins. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthocyanin
Anthocyanins provide color to flowers and fruits. This attracts pollinators and helps seed dispersal. They protect plants from UV damage thus preventing DNA damage and as antioxidants binding free radicals. Anthocyanins are also thought to deter herbivores by tasting bad. Anthocyanins are found in leaves, stems, and roots as well as flowers & fruit.