Structure of Complex Natural Anthocyanins

We proposed four types of stabilization mechanisms of anthocyanin in aqueous solutions; (1) self-association, (2) copigmentation, (3) intramolecular sandwich-type stacking, and (4) metal chelation associated with self-association and copigmentation. The driving force of these stackings would be mainly hydrophobic interactions between the aromatic nuclei which are surrounded by hydrophilic sugar moieties.