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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213161
Title: Correlation of Two Anthocyanin Quantification Methods: HPLC and Spectrophotometric Methods

Author
item Lee, Jungmin
item Rennaker, Christopher - Chris
item WROLSTAD, RONALD - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2008
Publication Date: 10/1/2008
Citation: Lee, J., Rennaker, C.D., Wrolstad, R.E. 2008. Correlation of two anthocyanin quantification methods: HPLC and spectrophotometric methods. Food Chemistry. 110(3):782-786.

Interpretive Summary: This study examined commonly used methods (HPLC and the pH differential methods) for determining the anthocyanin content of samples. Anthocyanins are the compounds that give small fruits and their processed products red, blue, and black colors. The two methods examined had a high correlation with one another. The pH differential method is a good alternative for labs that do not have access to a HPLC for quantifying anthocyanin content.

Technical Abstract: The pH differential method and HPLC are methods that are commonly used by researchers and the food industry for quantifying anthocyanins in a sample. This study was conducted to establish a relationship between the two analytical methods. Seven juice samples containing an array of different individual anthocyanins were analyzed by pH differential and HPLC (two different columns and mobile phase conditions). In general, total anthocyanins were greater when expressed as malvidin-glucoside than as cyanidin-glucoside, despite the method used. This paper demonstrates the high correlation (R greater than 0.925, p less than 0.05) between the pH differential method and HPLC (both systems) when determining the amount of anthocyanins found in samples. For laboratories that do not have the capability for HPLC analysis, the pH differential is a simple and economical method to determine total anthocyanins. This study also demonstrates the importance of reporting the standard used to express the values. There is still a need for both methods and certified anthocyanin standards.