Anthocyanins, also known as flavonoid pigments, are water-soluble natural pigments widely found in nature. More than 20 anthocyanins have been identified, with six common ones present in foods, such as pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin, and petunidin. Anthocyanins are widely applied in the food industry for coloring, as well as in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other sectors.
Applications in Food
Anthocyanins are valued for their strong coloring properties. However, they are sensitive to environmental conditions during processing and storage, including temperature, pH, light, moisture, and oxygen. Stability can be improved by adding metal ions, whey proteins, adjusting pH, microencapsulation, or color stabilizers. Microencapsulation also enhances antioxidant capacity by scavenging free radicals and boosting antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, thereby improving cell survival rates. These properties enable broader applications in food production.
Extraction Technologies
1. Ultrasonic Extraction: Enhances release of active compounds, increasing yield and minimizing degradation.
2. Microwave-Assisted Extraction: Uses microwave penetration and heating to improve extraction rates in purple corn and grapes.
3. Organic Solvent Extraction: Commonly uses acidified methanol and hydrochloric acid; applied to grape seeds, blueberries, and pomegranate peels.
4. Supercritical Fluid Extraction: Employs temperature and pressure adjustments to achieve high-purity anthocyanins (up to 97.82%) with no solvent residues.
Applications in the Food Industry
Anthocyanins are used as natural food colorants in products such as purple sweet potato, mulberry, purple corn, cabbage, eggplant skin, grape skin, and berry extracts. They are applied in wine, beverages, jams, candies, and various food products, providing vibrant colors and added nutritional benefits. Anthocyanins are also incorporated into functional foods such as yogurt, enhancing both flavor and health properties. Globally, anthocyanin-enriched health beverages are gaining popularity, generating billions of dollars in economic benefits each year.
