Carnations have anthocyanins acylated with malate. Although anthocyanin acyltransferases have been reported in several plant species, anthocyanin malyltransferase (AMalT) activity in carnation has not been identified. Here, an acyl donor substance of AMalT, 1-O-beta-D-malylglucose, was extracted and partially purified from the petals of carnation. This was synthesized chemically to analyze AMalT activity in a crude extract from carnation. Changes in the AMalT activity showed close correlation to the accumulation of pelargonidin 3-malylglucoside (Pet 3-malGlc) during the development of red petals of carnation, but neither AMalT activity nor Pet 3-malGlc accumulation was detectable in roots, stems and leaves. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.