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]
↑USgranted 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