Pelargonidin is an anthocyanidin, a type of plant pigment producing a characteristic orange color used in food and industrial dyes.
Natural occurrences
Presence in flowers
Pelargonidin can be found in red
(Geraniaceae). It is the predominant pigment causing the red coloration in the spathes of
Philodendron (Araceae). The orange-coloured flowers of blue pimpernel (
Anagallis monelli, Myrsinaceae) have a higher concentration of pelargonidin pigment. Red and Pink
(Rosa) obtain their color from this phytochemical.
Presence in food
Pelargonidin can be found in berries such as ripe
Raspberry and
Strawberry, as well as
Blueberry,
Blackberry,
Cranberry but also in saskatoon berries
and
chokeberries. It is also found in
and
. Pelargonidin gives red
radish their color.
It is present in large amounts in .
Glycosides
In many plant systems, Pelargonidin can be added to a glucose molecule to form Pelargonidin 3-glucoside (callistephin). This is done by the 3GT, anthocyanin 3-O-glucosyltransferase gene.
However this glucosidation reduces its antioxidant activity,
and changes the wavelength of max light absorbance from 520 nm to 516 nm.
Acylated pelargonidin glycosides can be found in red-purple flowers of Ipomoea purpurea.
See also
-
List of phytochemicals in food
-
List of compounds with carbon number 15
External links
