Carotenoid constituents of pyrethrum flowers (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium)

Abstract

The carotenoid composition of flower heads of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium at different stages of maturity was investigated. More than 90% of the carotenoid fraction was shown to be related to cis and trans isomers of the xanthophyll lutein, which occur mainly as diesters but are also present as monoesters and the free diols.

Thrips‐induced damage of chrysanthemum inflorescences: evidence for enhanced leakage of carotenoid pigments

“…The recovery of lutein following TLC of ethanol extracts of chrysanthemum inflorescences infested with thrips ( Figure 3) confirms the hypothesis that carotenoid pigments leak from inflorescences following a rapid immersion in organic solvent, resulting in a yellow colouration of ethanol solutions (Rhainds et al, 2005). Lutein is the predominant pigment responsible for the yellow colouration of chrysanthemum petals (Head, 1973;Anderson et al, 1988;Kishimoto et al, 2004). Like other carotenoid pigments, lutein is soluble in organic solvents and exhibits absorbance peaks in the visible region between 400 and 500 nm (Head, 1973;Craft, 1992;Zang et al, 1997).…”

“…The pigment co-migrated with lutein and had a similar spectrum of absorbance in the 400-500 nm region. For example, the natural necrosis of chrysanthemum inflorescences is characterized by an enhanced leakage of cellular content over time ( Figure 2B; Bartoli et al, 1995, Elanchezhian & Srivastava, 2001, and by a progressive decline in concentration of carotenoid pigments ( Figure 2C; Head, 1973, Stickland, 1972, two processes which are accelerated by the feeding activity of thrips ( Figure 2B -D). Not surprisingly, symptoms occurring during the natural senescence of chrysanthemum inflorescences are similar to those inflicted by feeding thrips.…”

“…Lutein is the predominant pigment responsible for the yellow colouration of chrysanthemum petals (Head, 1973;Anderson et al, 1988;Kishimoto et al, 2004). Like other carotenoid pigments, lutein is soluble in organic solvents and exhibits absorbance peaks in the visible region between 400 and 500 nm (Head, 1973;Craft, 1992;Zang et al, 1997). Lutein recovered in immersion extract of inflorescences damaged by thrips may have originated from either petal florets or grains of pollen, two floral structures rich in lutein (Head, 1973;Willemse, 1984) and readily fed upon by thrips (Kirk, 1997).…”

“…Not surprisingly, symptoms occurring during the natural senescence of chrysanthemum inflorescences are similar to those inflicted by feeding thrips. For example, the natural necrosis of chrysanthemum inflorescences is characterized by an enhanced leakage of cellular content over time ( Figure 2B; Bartoli et al, 1995, Elanchezhian & Srivastava, 2001, and by a progressive decline in concentration of carotenoid pigments ( Figure 2C; Head, 1973, Stickland, 1972, two processes which are accelerated by the feeding activity of thrips ( Figure 2B -D).…”

“…In the present study, we quantified variation over time in the level of absorbance of ethanol extracts of chrysanthemum inflorescences infested or not with thrips, using wavelength diagnosis of lutein, a predominant carotenoid pigment in chrysanthemum with yellow inflorescences (Head, 1973;Anderson et al, 1988;Kishimoto et al, 2004). Research objectives were to estimate the relative abundance and extractability of carotenoid pigments in inflorescences, and to demonstrate that inflorescences damaged by thrips release lutein when immersed in organic solvent.…”