Identification of Chalcones and their Contribution to Yellow Coloration in Dahlia (<i>Dahlia variabilis</i>) Ray Florets

Yellow color in dahlia flowers is conferred from chalcones, butein and isoliquiritigenin. The intensity of yellow cultivars diverse, but a detailed study on this has not yet been performed. In study, we first identified structures flavonoids by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging ray florets the red-white bicolor ‘Shukuhai’, which contains flavones anthocyanins. Four anthocyanins, four flavone derivatives, five isoliquiritigenin derivatives were identified. Among compounds, 4'-malonylsophoroside considered to be final product for presence chalcone 4'-glucosyltransferase, 4'-glucoside glucosyltransferase, malonyltransferase modification was predicted. Also, biosynthetic pathway with as predicted compounds. Next, used nine lines different intensities analyzed correlation between b* value, an indicator color, level chalcones. There no difference or absence major peaks among lines. Peak area per fresh weight measured HPLC high 4'-malonylglucoside, 4'-sophoroside suggesting these three compounds accumulated abundantly. highest coefficient detected value 4'-malonylglucoside (r = 0.86), 0.82) 0.76). These results suggest that chalcones confer florets. findings will contribute only efforts at breeding new cultivars, also molecular other species introducing pathway.