The determination of the relationship between the pyrethrins and the yellow pigmentation in pyrethrum flowers

Abstract

Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium Vis) is the source ofthe colourlesssixcloselyrelated insecticidalester compounds collectively referred to as "Pyrethrins". The pyrethrum flower isyellow at itscentral part andconsequently thepyrethrum extractisyellow incolour.Theintensity ofthe yellowness inextracts,mainlyattributedtothepresenceofthe carotenoidal andflavonoidalpigmentsfoundinpyrethrumflowers has been visually observed to relate closely to the Pyrethrins content but no analyticalverification ofthisobservationhas been done before.