Betalains from Christmas cactus

The presence of 14 betalain pigments have been detected by their characteri stic spectral properties in flower petals of Christmas cactus (Schlumberger a x buckleyi). Along with the known vulgaxanthin I, betalamic acid, betanin and phyllocactin (6'-O-malonylbetanin), the structure of a new phyllocacti n-derived betacyanin was elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques and carbohydrate analyses as betanidin 5-O-(2'-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-6'-O-mal onyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside. 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-apiofuranosy1-6'-O-malonyl)]-beta-D-gluco pyranoside} has been ascertained. Furthermore, the accumulation of betalain s during flower development and their pattern in different organs of the fl ower has been examined. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.