ANTHOCYANINS IN CHILEAN SPECIES OF ALSTROEMERIA

The tepals of 28 Chilean Alstroemeria species were investigated by HPL C for their content of anthocyanins. The investigation revealed the pr esence of at least seven anthocyanins of which six were identified. Th e anthocyanins were isolated from the cultivars 'Regina' and 'Cana' an d identified as 6-hydroxydelphinidin 3-rutinoside, 6-hydroxycyanidin 3 -rutinoside, delphinidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, delphini din 3-malonylglucoside and cyanidin 3-malonylglucoside. The position o f the malonyl group in the acylated anthocyanins could not be determin ed due to their instability and low amounts. Most of the Alstroemeria species investigated can be placed into three groups regarding their c ontents of major pigments. The use of anthocyanins as taxonomic marker s in Alstroemeria is discussed.