Investigation of anthocyanin localization in various parts of Impatiens balsamina L.

Abstract

Impatiens balsamina L. is an annual herbaceous plant of Balsamineaceae family and is cultured as a decorative plant in parks and gat-dens. Since it contains a large amount of minerals, calcium oxalate crystals and secondary metabolites (coumarin derivatives, scopoletin, isofraxidin), it is examined as both dangerous and medicinal plant. The aim of this study is to determine in which parts (node, internode, petiole, leaf,pedicel, petal) of I. balsamina L. the pigment anthocyanin accumulates and to measure its amount in the tissues by spectrophotometer. It was seen that the pigment accumulates more in the upper parts of the nodes on the stem, and that the amount of anthocyanin was significantly less in the internodes than in the nodes. The anthocyanin is, responsible for the red color of flower petals was found in high amount in almost all vacuoles of the papillate epidermal cells.