[Studies on the metabolism of ketocarotenoids in species of Adonis : I. Composition of pigments in abnormally coloured petals].

The composition of carotenoids in yellow flowers of Adonis aestivalis, A. annua, and A. flammeus has been determined (see Table). In contrast to the pattern of pigments in normally red flowers, these petals are free of ketocarotenoids but rich in oxipolyenes. The role of these compounds as precursors of the ketocarotenoids has been discussed and summarized in a hypothetical scheme (Fig. 1).