Pelargonidin is an
anthocyanidin, a type of plant pigment producing a characteristic orange color used in food and industrial dyes.[1]
Natural occurrences
Presence in flowers
Pelargonidin can be found in red
geraniums (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
Roses (Rosa) obtain their color from this phytochemical. [2]
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. [6]
However this glucosidation reduces its antioxidant activity,[7] and changes the wavelength of max light absorbance from 520 nm to 516 nm. [8]
Acylated pelargonidin glycosides can be found in red-purple flowers of Ipomoea purpurea.[9]
^US granted 6,767,999, Smirnov, Vitaly; Sidorov, Viktor; Smirnova, Valentina, "Anthocyantin coloring agent and method for the production thereof from organic matter", published Nov 01, 2001, issued July 27, 2004