Characterization of Perennial Hibiscus Food Colorants and Seed Oils

The objective of this Phase I study is to chemically screen flower colorants, seed oils and seed meals from perennial Hibiscus species and hybrids. Colorants will be extracted from fresh, frozen, freeze-dried and hot-air dehydrated whole flowers from FY-2001 harvests. All hybrid samples will be harvested and analyzed by color group. Non-hybrids will be analyzed by species (where no significant color variants are present) and/or by species and color variant as appropriate. The purpose of these studies is to compare pigment type and density, yield and nutritional content as a function of processing methods, as well as genome. Bulk seed will be hulled, cleaned and chemically characterized for seed oils and seed proteins. Materials to be evaluated will consist of bulk samples of FY-2001 seed (separated by species and hybrid). The purpose of these analysis is to compare seed oil and seed meal quality and yield between species and hybrids, and the chemically screen the oils and proteins to characterize the composition of seed components by species and hybrid. Successful completion of these analytical screens is a necessary preliminary step to develop Hibiscus as a new crop and identify natural products from Hibiscus flowers and seeds for specialty applications.