title: Betalains from Christmas cactus.
abstract: The presence of 14 betalain pigments have been detected by their characteristic spectral properties in flower petals of Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi). Along with the known vulgaxanthin I, betalamic acid, betanin and phyllocactin (6'-O-malonylbetanin), the structure of a new phyllocactin-derived betacyanin was elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques and carbohydrate analyses as betanidin 5-O-(2'-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-6'-O-malonyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosid e. Among the more complex betacyanins occurring in trace amounts, the presence of a new diacylated betacyanin ¿betanidin 5-O-[(5"-O-E-feruloyl)-2'-O-beta-D- apiofuranosyl-6'-O-malonyl)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside¿ has been ascertained. Furthermore, the accumulation of betalains during flower development and their pattern in different organs of the flower has been examined.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Sekundärstoffwechsel, Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzenbiochemie, Halle, Saale, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nimtz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wray
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schliemann
mesh_terms: D050858:Betalains; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D050858:Betalains