Anthocyanins in Catharanthus roseus in vivo and in vitro: a review

The production of anthocyanin in Catharanthus roseus flowers from both field-grown and regenerated by somatic embryogenesis plants and cell cultures was described. The anthocyanins were identified as the 3-O-glucosides, and the 3-O-(6-O-p-coumaroyl) glucosides of hirsutidin, malvidin and petunidin, respectively both in vivo and in vitro. The influence of environmental conditions on in vitro anthocyanin accumulation is described. The relationship between in vivo and in vitro anthocyanin production is discussed.