IDENTIFICATION OF FLAVONOL AND ANTHOCYANIN METABOLITES IN LEAVES OF PETUNIA MITCHELL AND ITS LC TRANSGENIC

The leaves of Petunia 'Mitchell', a model species employed for transge nic manipulation, contain a wider array of acylated flavonol glycoside s than occur in the petals. Three new acylated flavonol glycosides are described, eruloyl-beta-D-glucosy(-->2)6-O-malonylglucoside), quercet in-3-O-(2-O-caffeoyl-beta-D-glucosyl(1-->2) 6-O-malonylglucoside), and -O-(2-O-feruloyl-beta-D-glucosyl(1-->2)glucoside). A transgenic Mitch ell line expressing the maize 'Leaf colour' (Lc) cDNA had enhanced lev els of anthocyanins, particularly in their leaves; These anthocyanins were determined to be the same acylated petunidin glycosides as those which produce a slight red colouration in the tube of the flowers of P etunia 'Mitchell'. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.