P-coumaroyl glycosides of cyanidin and peonidin in the flowers of Japanese garden iris, Iris ensata Thunb.

Abstract

The anthocyanins in outer perianths of seven varieties and one telotrisomic line of Japanese garden iris, Iris ensata Thunb., were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography procedures. Two new anthocyanins, peonidin 3RGac5G and cyanidin 3RGac5G were putatively detected in this species, and peonidin 3RGac5G was the major anthocyanin for all the varieties except ‘Telotri-1’ and cyanidin 3RGac5G the major anthocyanin for ‘Telotri-1’. Moreover, cyanidin 3RGac5G and peonidin 3RGac5G are useful anthocyanins for the breeding of red and magenta flowers. Finally, the breeding strategy for new flower varieties using cyanidin 3RGac5G and peonidin 3RGac5G was discussed.