## 3 Discussion
canina_ essential oil, as well as its possible applications in perfumery, cosmetics, or aromatherapy. The results also showed that the white petals had higher levels of both phenolic and flavonoid compounds than the dark pink petals, suggesting a possible association between petal color and phytochemical content. These results are consistent with a previous study that found higher phenolic and flavonoid contents in white _R. canina_ flowers compared to other colors [54]. Phenolic and flavonoid compounds are known to possess various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties [55]. The white petals of _R. canina_ have higher flavonoid content than the dark pink petals, which may indicate their higher potential for medicinal and cosmetic applications. Flavonoids are known to have antioxidant, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic effects [56; 57]. The white petals of _R. canina_ var. assignsis had a higher total flavonoid content (163.3 mg/100 g frozen pulp) than other rose species (101.3-143.7 mg/100 g frozen pulp) [58]. The flavonoid content of _R. canina_ fruits was much lower (41 mg/100 g dry matter) than that of white petals [59]. Thus, the petal color of flowering plants may reflect their phytochemical composition and bioactivity, besides their ornamental value. Different pigments, such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, and carotenoids, confer various colors to petals and also exhibit biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme inhibition effects. Hence, choosing the best cultivars with optimal petal colors could offer multiple advantages for different applications, such as herbal remedies, natural dyes, or landscing. Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between petal color and phytochemical content in different species of flowering plants. For instance, _Paoconia delavyi_ showed significant differences in anthocyanin and flavonoid content and antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities among purple, red, and yellow petals [60]. Similarly, marigold flowers with different petal colors from off-white to deep orange had varying amounts of carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant potential [61]. These findings indicate that petal color could be a useful criterion for selecting the most appropriate cultivars of flowering plants for different purposes. Moreover, these results may improve the understanding of the biosynthesis and regulation of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in plants, which are affected by various factors such as genetic, environmental, and developmental factors [62]. This study examined the relationship between petal color and total TAC in two cultivars of chrysanthemum with different petal colors: white and dark pink. The expression levels of the _ANS_ gene, which is a key enzyme in anthocyanin biosynthesis, were also assessed in the petals at different developmental stages. The results revealed that dark pink petals had significantly higher TAC and _ANS_ expression than white petals, especially at the blooming stage. This implies that anthocyanin synthesis and accumulation are increased in the dark pink petals through the phenylpropanol pathway. These findings are in agreement with previous reports that showed a positive correlation between petal color intensity and TAC in various plant species [28]. However, it was also noticed that white petals had relatively high _ANS_ expression at the budding stage, suggesting that anthocyanin biosynthesis is initiated but not completed in these petals. This could be due to the absence of other enzymes or cofactors required for anthocyanin production, or the presence of inhibitors or degrading factors that prevent anthocyanin accumulation. Further studies are needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the color difference between the white and dark pink petals. Petal color in plants is influenced by anthocyanins, which are plant pigments that belong to the flavonoid family.