Research Progress and Future Prospects of Anthocyanins in Flower Color Formation and Breeding of Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum, native to China, is an important horticultural plant. Its diverse flower colors play a crucial role in defining the plant's ornamental appeal and economic value. Metabolites play a crucial role in plant physiology as a bridge between genes, environment, and phenotype. Anthocyanin, a key plant secondary metabolite mainly distributed in flowers and also expressed in stems and leaves, is a core molecule involved in the molecular mechanism of flower color formation in chrysanthemums, and its type and accumulation level directly affects the color expression of petals. This article comprehensively reviews anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways, regulatory networks, and detection methods. By integrating metabolomics with multi-omics approaches, we highlight recent advances in chrysanthemum metabolomics research, and innovatively proposing a new strategy based on metabolic marker detection and metabolomics-assisted molecular breeding, aiming to improve the efficiency and precision of chrysanthemum breeding programs. The article also highlights the great potential for the application of anthocyanins in chrysanthemum breeding, suggesting that these pigments can play a key role in the development of new varieties with desirable floral characteristics. By utilizing the latest scientific insights and technological advances, this research could help to improve chrysanthemum breeding techniques, enhance their ornamental and commercial appeal, and bring economic benefits.