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Analysis of anthocyanins in rat intestinal contents--impact of anthocyanin chemical structure on fecal excretion.

Absorption of dietary anthocyanins is limited; however, fecal anthocyanin excretion has been rarely studied. We developed a method for extraction and analysis of fecal anthocyanins. Aqueous methanol (60%) maximized extraction efficiency (approximately 88%). Severe anthocyanin degradation (monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography) was observed in feces stored at -18 degrees C; therefore, storage time should be minimized and lower temperatures used. Fecal and cecal content samples were collected from 32 rats receiving either chokeberry, bilberry, grape-enriched (3.85 g monomeric anthocyanin per kg diet), or control diet for 14 weeks. Fecal anthocyanin concentrations were significantly different among groups (0.7/1.8/2.0 g/kg wet feces, chokeberry/bilberry/grape). Anthocyanin profiles of cecal contents and feces were similar. Losses in the intestinal contents were high for anthocyanin glucosides, moderate for galactosides, and negligible for arabinosides or xylosides. Acylation or diglucosylation enhanced anthocyanin stability. High anthocyanin concentration in the fecal content may favor anthocyanin absorption into the colon epithelial cells, resulting in potential health benefits.

Animals↗

Effect of cyanidin-3-glucoside and an anthocyanin mixture from bilberry on adenoma development in the ApcMin mouse model of intestinal carcinogenesis--relationship with tissue anthocyanin levels.

Anthocyanins are dietary flavonoids, which can prevent carcinogen-induced colorectal cancer in rats. Here, the hypotheses were tested that Mirtoselect, an anthocyanin mixture from bilberry, or isolated cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), the most abundant anthocyanin in diet, interfere with intestinal adenoma formation in the Apc(Min) mouse, a genetic model of human familial adenomatous polyposis, and that consumption of C3G or Mirtoselect generates measurable levels of anthocyanins in the murine biophase. Apc(Min) mice ingested C3G or Mirtoselect at 0.03, 0.1 or 0.3% in the diet for 12 weeks, and intestinal adenomas were counted. Plasma, urine and intestinal mucosa were analyzed for presence of anthocyanins by high-pressure liquid chromatography with detection by UV spectrophotometry (520 nm) or tandem mass spectrometry (multiple reaction monitoring). Ingestion of either C3G or Mirtoselect reduced adenoma load dose-dependently. At the highest doses of C3G and Mirtoselect adenoma numbers were decreased by 45% (p < 0.001) or 30% (p < 0.05), respectively, compared to controls. Anthocyanins were found at the analytical detection limit in the plasma and at quantifiable levels in the intestinal mucosa and urine. Anthocyanin glucuronide and methyl metabolites were identified in intestine and urine. Total anthocyanin levels in mice on C3G or Mirtoselect were 43 ng and 8.1 microg/g tissue, respectively, in the intestinal mucosa, and 7.2 and 12.3 microg/ml in the urine. The efficacy of C3G and Mirtoselect in the Apc(Min) mouse renders the further development of anthocyanins as potential human colorectal cancer chemopreventive agents worthwhile.

Adenoma↗

Effect of sugar on anthocyanin degradation and water mobility in a roselle anthocyanin model system using 17O NMR.

The purpose of this study was to try to elucidate the relationship between anthocyanin degradation and water mobility using (17)O NMR. A model system containing anthocyanin from roselles with different sugar concentrations (20, 40, 60%) was used to compare the effect of sugar (sucrose and honey) on the kinetics of anthocyanin degradation and water mobility after heating. Data on the anthocyanin degradation index (DI), half-life of anthocyanin, and activation energy of anthocyanin degradation showed that sucrose was a good anthocyanin protector, especially at high concentration. However, honey led to a severe anthocyanin degradation after its concentration reached 40% or it was heated to temperatures >50 degrees C. Spin-spin relaxation rates (R(2)) of water using (17)O NMR were further used to monitor the water mobility in two sugar systems to explain the differences in browning under the same concentration and water activity. R(2) in sucrose was significantly higher than that in honey after the concentration reached 40%. Apparently, increasing the ability to bind with water molecules favored the stability of anthocyanin in sucrose solution.

Anthocyanins↗

Expression of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in relation to anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, and flavonol levels during bilberry fruit development.

The production of anthocyanins in fruit tissues is highly controlled at the developmental level. We have studied the expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes during the development of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) fruit in relation to the accumulation of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and flavonols in wild berries and in color mutants of bilberry. The cDNA fragments of five genes from the flavonoid pathway, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, chalcone synthase, flavanone 3-hydroxylase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, and anthocyanidin synthase, were isolated from bilberry using the polymerase chain reaction technique, sequenced, and labeled with a digoxigenin-dUTP label. These homologous probes were used for determining the expression of the flavonoid pathway genes in bilberries. The contents of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and flavonols in ripening bilberries were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector and were identified using a mass spectrometry interface. Our results demonstrate a correlation between anthocyanin accumulation and expression of the flavonoid pathway genes during the ripening of berries. At the early stages of berry development, procyanidins and quercetin were the major flavonoids, but the levels decreased dramatically during the progress of ripening. During the later stages of ripening, the content of anthocyanins increased strongly and they were the major flavonoids in the ripe berry. The expression of flavonoid pathway genes in the color mutants of bilberry was reduced. A connection between flavonol and anthocyanin synthesis in bilberry was detected in this study and also in previous data collected from flavonol and anthocyanin analyses from other fruits. In accordance with this, models for the connection between flavonol and anthocyanin syntheses in fruit tissues are presented.

Acyltransferases↗

Biochemical and molecular characterization of a novel UDP-glucose:anthocyanin 3'-O-glucosyltransferase, a key enzyme for blue anthocyanin biosynthesis, from gentian.

Gentian (Gentiana triflora) blue petals predominantly contain an unusually blue and stable anthocyanin, delphinidin 3-O-glucosyl-5-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-glucosyl)-3'-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-glucoside) (gentiodelphin). Glucosylation and the subsequent acylation of the 3'-hydroxy group of the B-ring of anthocyanins are important to the stabilization of and the imparting of bluer color to these anthocyanins. The enzymes and their genes involved in these modifications of the B-ring, however, have not been characterized, purified, or isolated to date. In this study, we purified a UDP-glucose (Glc):anthocyanin 3'-O-glucosyltransferase (3'GT) enzyme to homogeneity from gentian blue petals and isolated a cDNA encoding a 3'GT based on the internal amino acid sequences of the purified 3'GT. The deduced amino acid sequence indicates that 3'GT belongs to the same subfamily as a flavonoid 7-O-glucosyltransferase from Schutellaria baicalensis in the plant glucosyltransferase superfamily. Characterization of the enzymatic properties using the recombinant 3'GT protein revealed that, in contrast to most of flavonoid glucosyltransferases, it has strict substrate specificity: 3'GT specifically glucosylates the 3'-hydroxy group of delphinidin-type anthocyanins containing Glc groups at 3 and 5 positions. The enzyme specifically uses UDP-Glc as the sugar donor. The specificity was confirmed by expression of the 3'GT cDNA in transgenic petunia (Petunia hybrida). This is the first report of the gene isolation of a B-ring-specific glucosyltransferase of anthocyanins, which paves the way to modification of flower color by production of blue anthocyanins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intact anthocyanins and metabolites in rat urine and plasma after 3 months of anthocyanin supplementation.

Anthocyanins are polyphenols responsible for most red to purple colors in plants. Human consumption of these pigments is increasing because of their potential health benefits and use as natural colorants. With more than 600 different anthocyanins found in nature, the impact of chemical structure on their absorption and metabolism needs to be investigated. Urine and plasma samples were collected from 32 rats receiving control diet or chokeberry-, bilberry-, and grape-enriched (3.85 g cyanidin 3-galatoside equivalent/kg) diet for 14 wk. Below 2 micromol/l of anthocyanins and relatively higher levels of presumable metabolites were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array in the plasma. In the urine the total concentration of intact anthocyanins and methylated derivatives ranged from 17.4 (bilberry) to 52.6 (chokeberry) nmol/l. The type and number of anthocyanin glycosylations affected the absorption remarkably. Detection of an acylated anthocyanin in plasma and urine suggests bioavailability of these anthocyanin derivatives that are commonly found in commercially available colorants.

Absorption↗

Interactions between grape anthocyanins and pyruvic acid, with effect of pH and acid concentration on anthocyanin composition and color in model solutions.

The formation of vitisin A, an anthocyanin formed naturally in small quantities in maturing port wines, was studied in model wine solutions at a range of pH values (2.0-4.5) and pyruvate concentrations [molar ratios of pyruvic acid to total anthocyanins (PA/TA) ranging from 12.20 to 172.40]. Additionally, the effect of vitisin A formation on the color changes of these model wines was evaluated. Vitisin A was formed through the interaction between malvidin 3-glucoside and pyruvic acid, and vitisin A in acylated forms, having the 6-position of the sugar acylated with acetic acid (3-acetylvitisin A) and p-coumaric acid (3-p-coumarylvitisin A), formed through the interaction between pyruvic acid and malvidin 3-acetylglucoside and malvidin 3-p-coumarylglucoside, respectively; their identities were confirmed by spectral analysis and FABMS. The maximum formation of these new anthocyanin derivatives was at pH 2. 7-3.0, at the higher pyruvic acid concentration (PA/TA of 172.40 units). The vitisins A caused changes in the color of the solution and expressed about 11 times (pH 3) to 14 times (pH 2) more color than the normal anthocyanins. On aging, the model solutions changed from a bluish red, attributable to the main anthocyanins present, to a slightly more orange red, attributable to the vitisin compounds. The aged models containing vitisins A were all much redder than the more red-brown color of the models aged without pyruvic acid.

Anthocyanins↗

Activation of the maize anthocyanin gene a2 is mediated by an element conserved in many anthocyanin promoters.

Two transcription factors, C1 (a Myb-domain protein) and B (a basic-helix-loop-helix protein), mediate transcriptional activation of the anthocyanin-biosynthetic genes of maize (Zea mays). To begin to assess the mechanism of activation, the sequences required for C1- and B-mediated induction have been determined for the a2 promoter, which encodes an anthocyanin-biosynthetic enzyme. Analysis of a series of 7- to 13-base-pair substitutions revealed two regions crucial for activation. One region, centered at -99, contained a C1-binding site that abolished C1 binding. The other crucial region was adjacent, centered at -91. C1 binding was not detected at this site, and mutation of this site did not prevent C1 binding at -99. An oligonucleotide dimer containing these two crucial elements was sufficient for C1 and B activation of a heterologous promoter. These data suggest that activation of the anthocyanin genes involves C1 and another factor binding at closely adjacent sites. Mutating a previously postulated anthocyanin consensus sequence within a2 did not significantly reduce activation by C1 and B. However, sequence comparisons of the crucial a2 regions with sequences important for C1- and B-mediated activation in two other anthocyanin promoters led to a revised consensus element shared by these promoters.

Anthocyanins↗

Identification and characterization of a novel anthocyanin malonyltransferase from scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) flowers: an enzyme that is phylogenetically separated from other anthocyanin acyltransferases.

Anthocyanin acyltransferases (AATs) catalyze a regiospecific acyl transfer from acyl-CoA to the glycosyl moiety of anthocyanins, thus playing an important role in flower coloration. The known AATs are subfamily members of an acyltransferase family, the BAHD family, which play important roles in secondary metabolism in plants. Here, we describe the purification, characterization, and cDNA cloning of a novel anthocyanin malonyltransferase from scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) flowers. The purified enzyme (hereafter referred to as Ss5MaT2) is a monomeric 46-kDa protein that catalyzes the transfer of the malonyl group from malonyl-CoA to the 4"'-hydroxyl group of the 5-glucosyl moiety of anthocyanins. Thus, it is a malonyl-CoA:anthocyanin 5-glucoside 4"'-O-malonyltransferase. On the basis of the partial amino acid sequences of the purified enzyme, we isolated a cDNA that encodes an acyltransferase protein. The steady-state transcript level of the gene was the highest in recently opened, fully pigmented flowers and was also correlated with the trend observed for an AAT gene responsible for the first malonylation step during salvianin biosynthesis. Immunoprecipitation studies using antibodies against the recombinant acyltransferase protein corroborated the identity of this cDNA as that encoding Ss5MaT2. The deduced amino acid sequence of Ss5MaT2 showed a low similarity (22-24% identity) to those of AATs and lacked the AAT-specific signature sequence. A phylogenetic analysis suggested that Ss5MaT2 is more related to acetyl-CoA:benzylalcohol acetyltransferase (BEAT) rather than to AAT. This is another example in which enzymes with similar, although not identical, substrate evolved from different branches of the BAHD family.

Acyltransferases↗

alpha-Glucosidase inhibitory action of natural acylated anthocyanins. 2. alpha-Glucosidase inhibition by isolated acylated anthocyanins.

Four diacylated pelargonidin (Pg: SOA-4 and SOA-6), cyanidin (Cy: YGM-3), and peonidin (Pn: YGM-6) 3-sophoroside-5-glucosides isolated from the red flowers of the morning glory, Pharbitis nil cv. Scarlett O'Hara (SOA), and the storage roots of purple sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas cv. Ayamurasaki (YGM), were subjected to an alpha-glucosidase (AGH) inhibitory assay, in which the assay was performed with the immobilized AGH (iAGH) system to mimic the membrane-bound AGH at the small intestine. As a result, the acylated anthocyanins showed strong maltase inhibitory activities with IC(50) values of <200 microM, whereas no sucrase inhibition was observed. Of these, SOA-4 [Pg 3-O-(2-O-(6-O-(E-3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)caffeyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-E-caffeyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside)-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside] possessed the most potent maltase inhibitory activity (IC(50) = 60 microM). As a result of a marked reduction of iAGH inhibitory activity by deacylating the anthocyanins, that is, Pg (or Cy or Pn) sophoroside-5-glucoside, acylation of anthocyanin with caffeic (Caf) or ferulic (Fer) acid was found to be important in the expression of iAGH (maltase) inhibition. In addition, the result that Pg-based anthocyanins showed the most potent maltase inhibition, with an IC(50) value of 4.6 mM, and the effect being in the descending order of potency of Pg > Pn/Cy strongly suggested that no replacement at the 3'(5')-position of the aglycon B-ring may be essential for inhibiting iAGH action.

Acylation↗

Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a novel anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase by mRNA differential display for plant forms regarding anthocyanin.

UDP-glucose: anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase (5-GT) is responsible for the modification of anthocyanins to more stable molecules in complexes for co-pigmentation, supposedly resulting in a purple hue. The cDNA encoding 5-GT was isolated by a differential display applied to two different forms of anthocyanin production in Perilla frutescens var. crispa. Differential display was carried out for mRNA from the leaves of reddish-purple and green forms of P. frutescens, resulting in the isolation of five cDNA clones predominantly expressed in the red form. The cDNA encoded a polypeptide of 460 amino acids, exhibiting a low homology with the sequences of several glucosyltransferases including UDP-glucose: anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase. By using this cDNA as the probe, we also isolated a homologous cDNA clone from a petal cDNA library of Verbena hybrida. To identify the biochemical function of the encoded proteins, these cDNAs were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. The recombinant proteins in the yeast extracts catalyzed the conversion of anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosides into the corresponding anthocyanidin 3,5-di-O-glucosides using UDP-glucose as a cofactor, indicating the identity of the cDNAs encoding 5-GT. Several biochemical properties (optimum pH, Km values, and sensitivity to inhibitors) were similar to those reported previously for 5-GTs. Southern blot analysis indicated the presence of two copies of 5-GT genes in the genome of both red and green forms of P. frutescens. The mRNA accumulation of the 5-GT gene was detected in the leaves of the red form but not in those of the green form and was induced by illumination of light, as observed for other structural genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis in P. frutescens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Anthocyanin 5-aromatic acyltransferase from Gentiana triflora. Purification, characterization and its role in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Acylation with hydroxycinnamic acids stabilizes anthocyanins and makes their colour bluer (bathochromic shift). We purified to homogeneity one acylation enzyme, hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:anthocyanidin 3,5-diglucoside 5-O-glucoside-6"'-O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, from blue petals of Gentiana triflora. It is a single polypeptide protein of 52 kDa with a pI of 4.6. It catalyzes the transfer of the p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid from their CoA esters to the 5-glucosyl moiety of anthocyanidin 3,5-diglucosides but could not use malonyl-CoA as an acyl donor. Neither anthocyanidin 3-monoglucoside nor anthocyanins aromatically acylated at the 3-glucosyl moiety could be acylated by this enzyme. Aromatic acylation of anthocyanidin 3,5-diglucoside by this enzyme caused a bathochromic shift and increased pigment stability in neutral to weakly basic pH. Other anthocyanins from the petals of G. triflora were isolated and their structures were determined by fast-atom-bombardment MS and NMR. The biosynthetic pathway of gentiodelphin, a diacylated anthocyanin accumulating in G. triflora petals, is proposed on the basis of these results.

Acylation↗

Photocontrol of Anthocyanin Synthesis: V. Further Evidence against the Involvement of Photosynthesis in High Irradiance Reaction Anthocyanin Synthesis of Young Seedlings.

Streptomycin and chloramphenicol inhibit the development of the photosynthetic apparatus and enhance anthocyanin synthesis in tomato (Lycopersican esculentum, cv. Beefsteak) and red cabbage (Brassica oleracea, cv. Red Acre) seedlings. The two antibiotics do not affect the basic features of light-dependent anthocyanin formation: the relative effectiveness of different irradiance levels and of different spectral regions and the red-far red reversibility of the response are essentially the same in seedlings grown in water or in solution of the two antibiotics. The action of the two antibiotics on anthocyanin synthesis is probably independent of the action of light. The results provide further evidence that the role played by photosynthesis in high irradiance reaction anthocyanin synthesis of young seedlings is only a minor one, if at all.

Journal Article↗

New flavanol-anthocyanin condensed pigments and anthocyanin composition in guatemalan beans (Phaseolus spp.).

It has long been considered that the pigments resulting from direct condensation between anthocyanins and flavanols were formed exclusively during storage and processing, both in plant-derived foods and in drinks. Recently, however, the minor presence of this type of pigment has been shown in different plant extracts, among them beans. In this work we have studied this family of pigments in beans from Guatemala belonging to two distinct species of the genus Phaseolus, confirming the presence of (epi)gallocatechin carbon-carbon linked to the aglycone of delphinidin and (epi)catechin-cyanidin-3-glucoside. Furthermore, for the first time in this foodstuff another three flavanol-anthocyanin condensed pigments formed by the linkage of (epi)catechin with the corresponding aglycones of cyanidin, petunidin, and peonidin have been described. Also, the natural occurrence of anthocyanidins in this matrix has been confirmed in some of the samples analyzed in this work, the majority being components of their anthocyanin composition. The corresponding aglycones of delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, pelargonidin, and malvidin have been identified as well as two aglycones with identical mass to those of peonidin and petunidin, but with different retention times, which leads to the supposition that they are probably methylated derivatives of cyanidin and delphinidin, respectively.

Anthocyanins↗

Photocontrol of anthocyanin synthesis: I. Action of short, prolonged, and intermittent irradiations on the formation of anthocyanins in cabbage, mustard, and turnip seedlings.

Red far red reversibility (phytochrome control) of anthocyanin synthesis can be easily demonstrated for the response induced by short (5 minutes) and relatively short (4 hours) irradiation. Red far red reversibility of the response induced by longer irradiations can be demonstrated by the use of cyclic irradiations alternating short exposures to red and far red light.The level of anthocyanin formed during the dark incubation period following exposure to light depends upon the duration of the irradiation and becomes proportionally smaller as the length of the irradiation increases.Production of anthocyanins under cyclic irradiations depends upon the total energy applied and upon the length of the dark interval between successive irradiations.The relative efficiencies of radiations in various spectral ranges change with changes in the length of the irradiations.

Journal Article↗

Photocontrol of Anthocyanin Synthesis: III. The Action of Streptomycin on the Synthesis of Chlorophyll and Anthocyanin.

Streptomycin enhances the synthesis of anthocyanins and inhibits the synthesis of chlorophylls and the development of chloroplasts in dark-grown seedlings of cabbage (Brassica oleracea), mustard (Sinapis alba), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), and turnip (Brassica rapa) exposed to prolonged periods of irradiation in various spectral regions. These results suggest that the contribution of photosynthesis to light-dependent high irradiance reaction anthocyanin synthesis in seedlings of cabbage, mustard, tomato, and turnip is minimal, if any at all. So far, phytochrome is the only photoreceptor whose action in the control of light-dependent anthocyanin synthesis in seedlings of cabbage, mustard, tomato, and turnip has been satisfactorily demonstrated.

Journal Article↗

Photocontrol of Anthocyanin Synthesis: IV. Dose Dependence and Reciprocity Relationships in Anthocyanin Synthesis.

Under continuous far red light, anthocyanin synthesis in young, dark-grown cabbage seedlings (Brassica oleracea cv. Red Acre) is irradiance-dependent and fails to follow the reciprocity (irradiance x time = constant) relationships. Under intermittent far red treatments extended over a prolonged period of time, anthocyanin synthesis becomes dose dependent, and reciprocity relationships are valid. Intermittent far red treatments with short dark intervals between successive irradiations are as effective as continuous treatments, if the total radiation doses applied with the two types of treatments are equal and are applied over equally long periods of time. The high effectiveness of inter-mittent treatments, the dose dependence, and the validity of the reciprocity relationships suggest that cycling between red-absorbing form of phytochrome and far red-absorbing form of phytochrome and the formation of electronically excited far red-absorbing form of phytochrome, or the involvement of a second photoreactive system, besides phytochrome, may play only a minor role in high irradiance reaction anthocyanin synthesis brought about by prolonged exposures to far red irradiation.

Journal Article↗

Determination of acylated anthocyanin in human urine after ingesting a purple-fleshed sweet potato beverage with various contents of anthocyanin by LC-ESI-MS/MS.

Eighty-seven healthy volunteers ingested a purple-fleshed sweet potato beverage with various contents of anthocyanin (beverage A; 22.1 mg/250 ml, B; 107.8, C; 84.9). An acylated anthocyanin, peonidin 3-caffeoylsophoroside-5-glucoside, was detected in the urine 2 h after ingestion. The concentrations were 15.1+/-2.2 microg/l of urine (mean+/-SEM), 46.6+/-5.3, and 53.3+/-2.2 for beverages A, B, and C respectively.

Acetylation↗