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- Title
Phytochemistry: structure of the blue cornflower pigment.
- Authors
Shiono, Masaaki; Matsugaki, Naohiro; Takeda, Kosaku
- Abstract
The same anthocyanin pigment makes roses red but cornflowers blue, a phenomenon that has so far not been entirely explained. Here we describe the X-ray crystal structure of the cornflower pigment, which reveals that its blue colour arises from a complex of six molecules each of anthocyanin and flavone, with one ferric iron, one magnesium and two calcium ions. We believe that this tetrametal complex may represent a previously undiscovered type of supermolecular pigment.
- Publication
Nature, 2005, Vol 436, Issue 7052, p791
- ISSN
1476-4687
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1038/436791a