Vol. 7, Issue 7, Part C (2025)

Pigments, the natural compounds responsible for the vivid colors seen in plants, animals, and microorganisms, are particularly abundant in flowers where they serve essential biological roles and offer vast industrial applications. This review explores the origin, types, roles, and extraction methods of floral pigments, with a focus on carotenoids, anthocyanins, and betalains -major contributors to flower coloration. These pigments not only attract pollinators and contribute to plant defense mechanisms but also offer health-promoting properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic effects. The formation and expression of pigments are influenced by environmental, chemical, and genetic factors, including light, temperature, and soil pH. Various extraction techniques, including solvent extraction, Soxhlet extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), are discussed, emphasizing their suitability for different scales and pigment stability. The paper also highlights the wide-ranging applications of floral pigments across industries—dye production, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, poultry, aquaculture, and pest control—underscored by recent research findings. Notably, studies demonstrate the efficacy of pigments from marigold, rose, bougainvillea, and ixora in enhancing product quality and sustainability. Conclusively, natural pigments present an eco-friendly, health-enhancing alternative to synthetic dyes, with ongoing research aimed at optimizing their extraction, stability, and utilization in functional products.