Wild species with bluish flower colors, such as purple, violet and blue, account for about 16%–20% of all flowers. Rose, chrysanthemum, lily, carnation and gerbera are the major ornamental plants grown for cut flowers in global flower markets. Recently, however, none of these plants had bluish colored flowers because they have no rakished wild species with these colors that can be used for cross breeding (Helariutta et al., 1996). The blue coloration in plants is formed by photonic structures and pigments. Anthocyanins are pigments that are involved in blue color development in flower organs such as petals and tepals. The anthocyanins responsible for the blue color development are mostly delphinidin derivatives, while cyanidin derivatives are rare (Heller et al., 1994).

1. DELPHINIDIN ROLE IN
TRANSGENIC
FLORICULTURE
BY Dr. S.SREEREMYA
FACULTY OF BIOLOGY

2. •
• Wild species with bluish flower colors, such as purple, violet
and blue, account for about 16%–20% of all flowers. Rose,
chrysanthemum, lily, carnation and gerbera are the major
ornamental plants grown for cut flowers in global flower
markets. Recently, however, none of these plants had bluish
colored flowers because they have no rakished wild species
with these colors that can be used for cross breeding
(Helariutta et al., 1996).
• The blue coloration in plants is formed by photonic structures
and pigments. Anthocyanins are pigments that are involved in
blue color development in flower organs such as petals and
tepals. The anthocyanins responsible for the blue color
development are mostly delphinidin derivatives, while cyanidin
derivatives are rare (Heller et al., 1994).

3. • Many studies and investigations have also been reported
on subsequent modifications of anthocyanidin, such as
methylation, glycosylation and acylation. Some
mechanisms of blue color development involving
anthocyanins have been elucidated (Holton et al., 1994).
For example, the intra molecular association and
interaction of polyacylated anthocyanin with aromatic
organic acid, intermolecular association of anthocyanins
with flavones, flavonols, or aromatic organic acid
derivatives, or metalloanthocyanin complex formation with
flavonoids and metal ions is necessary to stabilize blue
coloration under the suitable conditions of vacuolar pH
(Holton et al., 1995).

4. • In various flowers, biotechnology has been availed for
altering flower color and shape, increasing disease
resistance and improving vase life. Thirty years ago, few
researchers in the year 1987) reported modification of
petunia flower color availing genetic engineering
technology for the very first time subsequently, various
genes related to blue color development, as well as
anthocyanin biosynthesis, have been isolated. In
particular, isolation of F3′5′H encoding flavonoid 3′,5′-
hydroxylase, a key and prime gene for synthesis of the
anthocyanidin delphinidin, which leads to blue coloration
in flowers(Holton et al.,1996).

5. • Flower colors are mainly produced by flavonoids, carotenoids
and betalains. Carotenoids are quiet largely responsible for the
production of yellow and orange flowers such as sun flower
and tomato. Betalains are yellow to red nitrogenous
compounds which are derived from tyrosine and are distributed
only in Caryophyllales (Holton et al., 1997). Flavonoids have a
wide range of colors from pale yellow to red, purple and blue.
The flavonoid biosynthetic pathway has been the choice to the
genetically engineer flower color to obtain novel colors. Such
engineering has also helped us to understand transgene
expression in plants.
• FLAVONOIDS AND FLOWER COLOR—Anthocyanins are a
coloredclass of flavonoids and it will mostly accumulate in
vacuoles. Thereare six major anthocyanidins (chromophores of
anthocyanins); pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin (3' O-methyl
cyanidin), delphinidin, petunidin (3' O-methy delphinidin)
andmalvidin (3',4' O-dimethy delphinidin)(Jackson et al.,1992).

6. • FLAVONOID BIOSYNTHESIS— The flavonoid biosynthetic
path way has been extensively studied. The pathway paving to
anthocyanidin 3-glucosides is generally conserved among plant
species and is well understood (Linn et al., 1990).
Anthocyanidin 3-glucosides are further modified with sugars
and aliphatic and aromatic acids (Katsumoto et al.,
1995).There are both species and variety differences in the
extent of modification and the types of glycosyl and acyl groups
specifically attached (Lloyd et al., 1992).The global flower
industry thrives on novelty (Lu et al., 1991). Genetic
engineering is providing a valuable means of expanding the
floriculture gene pool so promoting the generation of new
commercial varieties (Kondo et al., 1992). Commercialization of
genetically engineered flowers is recently confined to novel
coloured carnations. Furthermore, the products are expected
given the level of activity in the field (Kumpatla et al., 1998).

7. REFERNCE
•
• Journal of Research in Pharmacognosy and Natural
Medicinal Products , Delphinidin Role in Transgenic
Floriculture, Dr.S.Sreeremya , 2019.Vol 1(2):1-15.