Methods for the production of new Adonis palaestina plants and plant
populations with improved characteristics such as increased flower size,
astaxanthin content, and/or reduced cardenolide content are provided.
Also provided are an astaxanthin-containing Adonis oleoresin and methods
of extracting astaxanthin and other ketocarotenoids from flowers of
Adonis palaestina plants, while reducing non-ketocarotenoids and
cardenolides.
