Structural dependence of HPLC separation pattern of anthocyanins from Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)

An HPLC method using isocratic elution was established for the analysis of fifteen anthocyanins contained in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). Separation was attained by using an aqueous solution of 20% methanol containing 0.5% TFA as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 2 ml/min. The detection limit was 0.3 pmol for delphinidin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, which is a major anthocyanin in bilberry extract. The reproducibility was 0.19-3.85% (S.E.M) for peak area and 0.64-0.77% (S.E.M) for relative mobility normalized by the elution position of the solvent peak. When the relative elution volumes of each anthocyanins were correlated to their corresponding anthocyanin structures, a characteristic pattern was observed. From this pattern, the structures of unknown anthocyanins could be predicted from their elution times. Therefore, the present method is useful for the study of anthocyanins from various biological sources.     

Simultaneous comparison of relative reactivities of twelve major anthocyanins in bilberry towards reactive nitrogen species

The reactivities of twelve major anthocyanins identified in bilberry extracts towards nitric oxide (NO.) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) were studied in vitro using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The reactivities of the anthocyanins towards NO. were slightly weak compared with that of (+)-catechin as a reference antioxidant under anaerobic conditions except delphinidin glycosides (Dp3glys). The reactivities of other anthocyanins were not significantly affected by either the aglycon structure or the type of sugar moiety. Under aerobic conditions, all anthocyanins and catechin showed significant enhancement of the reactivity, indicating that they reacted with other reactive species secondarily generated from NO. . Dp3glys showed rather extraordinally high reactivity towards ONOO- compared to other anthocyanins which showed approximately two times low reactivity than catechin when compared with IC50. Structural divergence in the reactivity was also small for all these anthocyanins.     

Kinetic comparisons of anthocyanin reactivities towards 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) (AAPH) radicals, hydrogen peroxide and tert-buthylhydroperoxide by capillary zone electrophoresis

Twelve major anthocyanins identified in bilberry extracts were studied in vitro using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) for their reactions towards 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) (AAPH) radicals, hydrogen peroxides (H(2)O(2)) and tert-buthylhydroperoxides (t-BuOOH). Reactivity towards AAPH radicals was primarily determined by the aglycon structure, not by the type of sugar moiety. Delphinidins carrying three-hydroxyl groups on the B ring were most reactive followed by cyanidins, with two-hydroxyl groups. Further, methylation of the hydroxyl groups reduced reactivity towards AAPH radicals. However, reactivity of anthocyanins towards H(2)O(2) was not significantly affected by aglycon structure or by the type of sugar moiety; there being no marked difference in reaction rates among the anthocyanins. Reactivity towards t-BuOOH was essentially the same as towards H(2)O(2), although the reaction rate was several times smaller. Also, the reaction rate of anthocyanin towards peroxide was relatively high compared to that of (+)-catechin (approximately 30 times larger) measured as a reference antioxidant, whereas the reactivities of anthocyanins and (+)-catechin towards AAPH radicals were similar.     

Acid mediated hydrolysis of blueberry anthocyanins

Acid mediated hydrolysis of anthocyanins was studied using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). A commercially available wild blueberry (Bilberry) extract was dissolved in different concentrations of TFA (0.1, 1, 3, 9%), then was subjected to thermodecomposition reaction at 95 degrees C. After the reaction, the samples were analyzed by CZE. The hydrolysis rate of each anthocyanin and the formation of the aglycon were determined by the change in the peak pattern of the anthocyanins in the electropherogram. Each anthocyanin peak decreased time dependently in a first order kinetic fashion. It was revealed that the hydrolysis rate of each anthocyanin was determined primarily by the type of conjugated sugar and not by the aglycon structure. The rate constant of anthocyanin hydrolysis was in the following order, arabinoside>galactoside>glucoside without regard to the aglycon structure. The kinetic behavior of this anthocyanin hydrolysis together with the CZE mobility allowed us to identify an unknown CZE peak as delphinidin 3-O-beta-arabinoside. At low TFA concentration, significant decomposition of the anthocyanidin nucleus occurred, but the glycoside hydrolysis predominated at high TFA concentration. It was further revealed that the aglycon released reacted successively to form polymeric products at higher TFA conditions.     

New liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection for analysis of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins in Vaccinium myrtillus fruit dry extracts and commercial preparations

The Vaccinium myrtillus fruits (bilberry) are a well-known anthocyanins source, and their extracts are widely used in dietary botanicals and pharmaceutical products for the treatment of vascular and vision disorders. Different analytical methods used for standardization of the bilberry extracts and their preparations are available from pharmacopeias and from the literature. However, the methods reported in the literature do not allow the detection of free anthocyanidins, which are markers of poor product quality. A new liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the identification and quantification of both anthocyanins and anthocyanidins present in bilberry extracts and products. The method shows a good reproducibility and, due to its high specificity, is suitable to identify unequivocally the botanical raw materials used for manufacturing and to evaluate the extract composition, thus ensuring a high degree of product consistency and quality. Forty typical bilberry preparations belonging to 24 different brands were purchased in the marketplace and evaluated for their quality by using the developed method. Results revealed marked differences among the brands despite a common origin and labeling.     

Determination of purple corn husk anthocyanins

Components of the purple corn husk anthocyanin complex as a rich inedible source for the preparation of natural dyes were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC with spectrophotometric and mass-spectrometric detection. The wide speciation of anthocyanins was found and its main components were identified as malonylation products of cyanidin-3-glucoside, 3″,5″-dimalonate (31.0%), 5″-monomalonate (32.2%), and 3″-monomalonate (7.3%), with low concentrations of similar pelargonidin and peonidin derivatives. The total accumulation level of anthocyanins in the samples under study exceeded 3.5 g per 100 g of an air-dry material. The results of the study of anthocyanin complexes of other purple corn parts are presented for comparison. Based on the studies performed, supplements to differential spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods for the determination of anthocyanins were proposed, which gave reproducible data for two alternative methods of their determination.     

Investigation of the effect of ionic strength of Tris-acetate background electrolyte on electrophoretic mobilities of mono-, di-, and trivalent organic anions by capillary electrophoresis

The effect of ionic strength of the background electrolyte (BGE) composed of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) and acetic acid on the electrophoretic mobility of mono-, di- and trivalent anions of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic and sulfonic acids was investigated by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Actual ionic mobilities of the above anions were determined from their CZE separations in Tris-acetate BGEs of pH 8.1 to 8.2 in the 3 to 100 mM ionic strength interval at constant temperature (25 degrees C). It was found that the ionic strength dependence of experimentally determined actual ionic mobilities does not follow the course supposed by the classical Onsager theory. A steeper decrease of actual ionic mobilities with the increasing ionic strength of BGE and a higher estimated limiting mobility of the anions than that found in the literature could be attributed to the specific behavior of the Tris-acetate BGEs. Presumably, not only a single type of interaction of anionic analytes with BGE constituents but rather the combination of effects, such as ion association or complexation equilibria, seems to be responsible for the observed deviation of the concentration dependence of the actual ionic mobilities from the Onsager theory. Additionally, several methods for the determination of limiting ionic mobilities from CZE measured actual ionic mobilities were evaluated. It turned out that the determined limiting ionic mobilities significantly depend on the calculation procedure used.     

Analysis of poly(amidoamine)-succinamic acid dendrimers by slab-gel electrophoresis and capillary zone electrophoresis

Ethylenediamine (EDA)-core poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) succinamic acid dendrimers (Ex.SAH, where x refers to the generation) were synthesized and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), potentiometric acid-base titration, and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Various generations (E1.SAH-E7.SAH) PAMAMs and a succinamic acid terminated core-shell tecto(dendrimer) (E5(E3.SAH)(n)) were first analyzed by PAGE. PAGE results show that the relative mobilities of generation 2 to generation 7 dendrimers decreased with the increasing number of generations. The molecular mass of a generation 5 core generation 3 shell tecto(dendrimer) (denoted as E5(E3.SAH)(n)) was determined to be between the Mw of E6.SAH and E7.SAH. CZE analysis allowed the evaluation of electrophoretic properties of given-generation dendrimers. The electrophoretic mobilities of individual generations PAMAM polyanions are similar, indicating that the separation mainly depends on their approximately identical charge/mass ratio. The E5(E3.SAH)(n) tectodendrimer had a lower electrophoretic mobility, which was consistent with its lower charge/mass ratio. The combination of PAGE and CZE analysis provides an alternative and effective way to characterize this group of PAMAM-succinamic acid dendrimers.     

Anthocyanins HPLC-DAD and MS Characterization,Total Phenolics,and Antioxidant Activity of Some Berries Extracts

Extracts of indigenous wild blackberries, mulberries, bilberries, and blackthorns were analyzed for anthocyanin composition, anthocyanin content, total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity. Anthocyanins extraction with acidified methanol in ultrasonic condition (59 kHz, 60 min., 25°C) was carried out. The extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a Dionex Ultimate 3000 apparatus equipped with photodiode array detector for qualitative characterization of the anthocyanins. The chromatograms revealed the presence of a large number of anthocyanins in fruits extracts: blackberries, 4 compounds; mulberries, 3 compounds; bilberries, 18 compounds; and blackthorns, 5 compounds. The most abundant anthocyanins were cyanidin-3-glucoside in blackberry, mulberry, and bilberry, and cyanidin-3-rutinoside in blackthorn extract. Structural information about anthocyanins was obtained by using a mass spectrometric method based on fully automated chip-nanoelectrospray ionization (nanoESI) high capacity ion trap (HCT). Anthocyanin content was quantified by the pH differential method and total phenolics were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. A Jasco V 530 UV-VIS spectrophotometer was used for absorbance measurements. The free radical scavenging activity of the berries extracts was performed by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The reduction of DPPH was followed by a spectrophotometric method. Also, a correlation of the antioxidant capacities of the extracts with their anthocyanin content and total phenolics was attempted.     

Determination of anthocyanins in the urine of patients with colorectal liver metastases after administration of bilberry extract

Anthocyanins possess cancer chemopreventive properties in preclinical models. Their clinical pharmacology is only poorly understood. In this pilot study, anthocyanins and their metabolites were analysed in the urine of two patients with colorectal liver metastases. They received a single dose of 1.88 g standardized bilberry extract (mirtoselect) via either nasogastric or nasojejunal tube intra‐operatively during liver resection. HPLC‐MS/MS and HPLC‐UV analysis showed there were more anthocyanins and metabolites in the urine of the patient who received mirtoselect via the stomach than via the jejunum. This result is consistent with information obtained in rodents which suggests the stomach is the predominant site for anthocyanin absorption. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liposome electrokinetic capillary chromatography in the study of analyte-phospholipid membrane interactions. Application to pesticides and related compounds

Interactions between low-molar mass analytes and phospholipid membranes were studied by liposome electrokinetic capillary chromatography (LEKC). The analytes were pesticides, some degradation products, and compounds associated with the manufacture of pesticides. Negatively charged liposome dispersions with different zwitterionic lipids (PC) were applied to the determination of retention factors (k) of 15 charged and uncharged compounds. The liposome dispersions consisted of 80:20 mol% of 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC)/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine (POPS), 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC)/POPS, and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)/POPS. Retention factors were calculated from the effective electrophoretic mobilities of the analytes under LEKC and CZE conditions and from the effective electrophoretic mobilities of the liposomes, determined by CZE with a polyacrylamide-coated capillary. Determining the liposome mobilities in this way proved to be a good alternative to the conventional method employing a liposome marker compound. The log k values of the analytes for the different liposome dispersed phases were correlated with one another. In addition, correlation curves were determined between log k and calculated octanol-water partition coefficients. The results showed that the zwitterionic phospholipid in the liposome has a major impact on the interactions between the tested compounds and the lipid membranes.     

Migration mechanism of bases and nucleosides in oil-in-water microemulsion capillary electrophoresis.

The electrophoretic behaviors of five bases and corresponding nucleosides in the oil in water (o/w) microemulsion capillary electrophoresis, microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC), were examined in comparison with those in normal capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The microemulsion systems were composed of heptane, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1-butanol and 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) or toluene, SDS, 1-butanol and 5 mM carbonate buffer (pH 10.0). CZE was carried out in the range of pH 9.7-10.9, and the dissociation constants, pKa, of the bases and nucleosides and the electrophoretic mobilities of the anionic forms were determined. The electrophoretic behaviors of the solutes in the microemulsion systems were analyzed from their pKa, the electrophoretic mobilities of the anions determined by CZE, and the distribution constants, K(D), of the neutral forms between the microemulsion droplets and the outer aqueous phase. The importance of adsorption mechanism in MEEKC system was suggested from the correlation between log K(D) and log P.     

Use of experimental design and effective mobility calculations to develop a method for the determination of antimicrobials by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method for the determination of chloramphenicol (CLP), danofloxacin (DANO), ciprofloxacin (CIPRO), enrofloxacin (ENRO), sulfamethazine (SMZ), sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is described. For the development, the effective mobilities were estimated and a central composite design was performed. The method was in-house validated for CLP, CIPRO, ENRO and SMX determination in pharmaceuticals. In comparison with the HPLC method recommended by the United States Pharmacopoeia, this CZE method exhibited the same performance, with the advantage that seven different antimicrobials in pharmaceutical formulations could be simultaneously determined.     

CZE separation of strawberry anthocyanins with acidic buffer and comparison with HPLC

Anthocyanins, the major colourants of strawberries, are polar pigments that are positively charged at low pH. Herein, we have assessed a new analytical method for the separation of anthocyanins using CZE. Acidic buffer solutions (pH <2) were employed in order to maintain pigments in the cation flavylium form and achieve high molar absorptivity at 510 nm. These spectral properties enabled us to identify strawberry anthocyanins in a preliminary stage by detection in the visible range, although the method was optimised at 280 nm to obtain the best S/N. The effects of buffer composition highlighted the necessity of adding an organic modifier to the running buffer to obtain a suitable separation. The electrophoretic method permitted the separation of the three main anthocyanins of strawberry extracts, namely pelargonidin 3-glucoside (Pg-glu), pelargonidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-glucoside. The electrophoretic results, expressed as retention time and separation efficiency of the major anthocyanin (Pg-glu), were compared to those achieved in HPLC, the analytical technique traditionally used for the investigation of anthocyanins in vegetable matrix. The content of Pg-glu in strawberries (cv. Camarosa), calculated with HPCE and HPLC methods, resulted respectively in 11.41 mg/L and 11.37 mg/L.     

A novel bioactive flavonol glycoside from Teramnus labialis spreng

A novel biologically active flavonol glycoside (1), C26H28O17, m.p. 216-217 degrees C, was isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction of the ethanol extract of the stems of Teramnus labialis. Its structure was characterized as 3,5,7,3',4',5'-hexahydroxyflavone-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside by spectral analysis. The chloroform extract of compound (1) showed antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Analysis and tentative structure elucidation of new anthocyanins in fruit peel of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (meoru) using LC‐MS/MS: Contribution to the overall antioxidant activity

The skin of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (meoru) grown wild in the Republic of Korea was analyzed for anthocyanins via HPLC coupled to ESI‐MS/MS in positive ion mode. Chromatographic separation was conducted via RP HPLC using a C₁₈ column, with a 50‐min gradient from 0 to 80% methanol in water containing 0.5% formic acid. A total of 18 anthocyanins were identified. Among them, nine compounds were newly determined by comparing the retention time (t_R) and mass fragmentation patterns with those of the previously reported anthocyanins for other grape varieties: malvidin hexose, peonidin 3‐galactoside, malvidin 3‐galactoside, cyanidin, petunidin, petunidin 3‐(6″‐coumaroyl)‐5‐diglucoside, peonidin, malvidin, and malvidin 3‐(6″‐coumaroyl)‐5‐diglucoside. The antioxidant activity of the V. coignetiae Pulliat anthocyanins was determined via 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) radical cation assays in a range of concentration from 25 to 500 mg/L. The capacity increased with concentration. The IC₅₀ values, defined as the concentration of sample required to scavenge 50% of free radicals, were calculated as follows: 189.63±11.31 mg/L and 141.29±6.70 mg/L for 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) radical cation, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the V. coignetiae Pulliat anthocyanins is substantially higher than that of ascorbic acid and is similar to the effects of the extracts obtained from other grape varieties.     

Development and validation of a capillary zone electrophoresis method for the quantitative determination of anthocyanins in wine

A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method is proposed for the quantitative determination of anthocyanins in wine as an alternative to high-performance liquid chromatography. The CZE separation was carried out using a 46 cm (effective length)×75 μm I.D. fused-silica capillary at 10 °C and a 50 mM sodium tetraborate buffer at pH 8.4 with 15% of methanol as modifier. A voltage of 25 kV and a hydrodynamic injection of 300 mbar s were used. The electropherograms were recorded at 599 nm. It was found that SO₂ (antibacterial and antioxidant agent added to wine during its production) increased the absorbance of anthocyanins at 599 nm in a basic medium. Therefore, a concentration of 250 mg/l of SO₂ was added to the samples and the calibration solution before the analysis in order to avoid errors by this matrix effect. The analytical response was linear (R=0.998) between 10 and 700 μg/ml of malvidin-3-O-glucoside. The limit of detection and the reproducibility (as a relative standard deviation, n=11) were 1 μg/ml and 1.5%, respectively. Finally, the CZE method was validated by the analysis of synthetic wine samples (errors less than 8%) and by the comparison of the results obtained in the analysis of different monovarietal wines by CZE with those obtained by the standard HPLC method. In this comparison, a good correlation (R=0.998) with a slope of 1.005±0.044 and an intercept of −0.752±6.690 was obtained for malvidin-3-O-glucoside.     

Comparison of anthocyanins present in grapes of Vitis vinifera L. varieties and interspecific hybrids grown in the Czech Republic

Anthocyanins present in the grapes of nine grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties and ten interspecific hybrids were compared. Total anthocyanin levels were determined in fresh grapes and the values ranged from 0.50 g kg^?1 to 4.99 g kg^?1. A total of twenty-two different anthocyanins were identified. Malvidin 3-glucoside was the most abundant anthocyanin, with concentrations ranging from 30 % to 64 % of the totals observed. The ratio of acetylated to coumaroylated malvidin and peonidin derivatives ranged from 0.09 (variety: Regent) to 1.34 (variety: Cerason), depending on the variety. Diglucosylated anthocyanins were not found in particular interspecific hybrids such as the teinturier XIV 26–56, Laurot, Merlan, and Nativa.     

Redox Behavior of Anthocyanins Present in Vitis vinifera L.

Voltammetric techniques were employed to study the electrochemical behavior of several anthocyanins. The redox behavior of anthocyanins with the same basic structure, the influence of glycosylation on the redox behavior of anthocyanins derived from different anthocyanidins, and the influence of methoxylation were investigated. The anthocyanins used in this study were malvidin‐3‐O‐glucoside chloride, malvidin‐3,5‐di‐O‐glucoside chloride, cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside chloride, cyanidin‐3,5‐di‐O‐glucoside chloride, peonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside chloride, delphinidin‐3‐O‐glucoside chloride and the anthocyanidin petunidin chloride, all of them present in Vitis vinifera L. All hydroxyl groups of the anthocyanins can be electrochemically oxidized and the anthocyanins studied revealed a complex and pH dependent oxidation process, with the occurrence of adsorption and of oxidation products blocking the electrode surface.     

Combination of supercritical fluid extraction with counter‐current chromatography to isolate anthocyanidins from the petals of Chaenomeles sinensis based on mathematical calculations

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) coupled with high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) was successfully used for the extraction and on‐line isolation of the anthocyanidins from the petals of Chaenomeles sinensis in two stages. The SFE parameters were optimized by an orthogonal test, and the solvent systems of SFE and HSCCC were calculated and optimized with the help of a multiexponential function model. In the first stage, the lower phase of the solvent system of n‐butanol/tert‐butyl methyl ether/acetonitrile/0.1% aqueous TFA (0.715:1.0:0.134:1.592, v/v/v/v) was used as both the SFE modifier and the HSCCC stationary phase, after extraction, the extractants were pumped into HSCCC column, and then eluted with the corresponding upper phase to isolate the moderately hydrophobic compounds. In the second stage, the upper phase of the solvent system of n‐butanol/ethyl acetate/acetonitrile/0.1% aqueous TFA (1.348:1.0:0.605:2.156, v/v/v/v) was used as both the SFE modifier and the HSCCC stationary phase, followed by elution with the corresponding lower phase to separate the hydrophobic compounds. With the help of two‐stage SFE/HSCCC, six compounds including delphinidin‐3‐O‐glucoside (Dp3G), cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside (Cy3G), peonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside (Pn3G), delphinidin (Dp), peonidin (Pn), and malvidin (Mv) were successfully separated within 300 min. The targeted compounds were identified by UV spectrophotometry, MS, and NMR spectroscopy. This research has opened up great prospects for the industrial application of SFE–HSCCC for the automatic extraction and separation of unstable compounds.