Abstract
Roses lack blue varieties because they do not naturally biosynthesize delphinidin, a blue pigment. Expression of a pansy gene that is necessary to biosynthesize delphinidin resulted in transgenic roses wearing novel blue hue. The delphinidin contents ranged 95-100%. The approval for commercialization on the basis of the Cartagena law was granted for a selected transgenic rose in Japan. The rose was marketed in November 2009. The brand name is “Suntory blue rose APPLAUSE” and the language is “dream comes true”. It has nice fragrance and its major constituent is geraniol. The fragrance was similar to that of existing mauve roses.
