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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Little Rock, Arkansas » Microbiome and Metabolism Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195470
Title: CONCENTRATIONS OF ANTHOCYANINS IN COMMON FOODS IN THE UNITED STATES AND ESTIMATION OF NORMAL CONSUMPTION

Author
item WU, XIANLI - ACNC/UAMS
item BEECHER, GARY - RETIRED, USDA, ARS
item HOLDEN, J - USDA,ARS
item HAYTOWITZ, D - USDA,ARS
item GEBHARDT, S - USDA,ARS
item Prior, Ronald

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2006
Publication Date: 5/31/2006
Citation: Wu, X., Beecher, G., Holden, J.M., Haytowitz, D., Gebhardt, S.E., Prior, R.L. 2006. Concentrations of anthocyanins in common foods in the United States and estimation of normal consumption. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 54(11):4069-4075.

Interpretive Summary: Anthocyanins are water soluble plant pigments that account for the dark blue and red colors in many berries and fruits and some vegetables. Anthocyanins have important functions in plant physiology as well as possible health effects. Over 100 common foods were screened for anthocyanins and 24 of them were found to contain anthocyanins. Concentrations of total anthocyanins varied considerably. Not only did the concentrations vary, but the specific anthocyanins present in foods were also quite different. Results from this study will add to the available data for the USDA Nutrient Database of flavonoids in foods. Based on the concentration data and updated food intake data from the government funded NHANES 2001-02 study, the daily intake of anthocyanins is estimated to be 12.5 mg/day per person in the United States. This data will for the first time allow investigators in large epidemiology studies to assess relationships between dietary consumption and health outcomes.

Technical Abstract: Anthocyanins (ACNs) are water soluble plant pigments that have important functions in plant physiology as well as possible health effects. Over 100 common foods were screened for ACNs and 24 of them were found to contain ACNs. Concentrations of total ACNs varied considerably from 0.7 mg/100 g to 1480 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) in gooseberry ("Careless" variety) and chokeberry, respectively. Not only does the concentration vary, but the specific anthocyanins present in foods are also quite different. Only six common aglycones, delphinidin (Dp), cyanidin (Cy), petunidin (Pt), pelargonidin (Pg), peonidin (Pn) and malvidin (Mv), were found in all of these foods. However, their sugar moieties and acylation patterns varied from food to food. Results from this study will add to the available data for the USDA Nutrient Database of flavonoids. Based on the concentration data and updated food intake data from NHANES 2001-02, the daily intake of ACNs is estimated to be 12.5 mg/day per person in the United States. Of the different aglycones, cyanidin, delphinidin, and malvidin were estimated to contribute 45, 21 and 15%, respectively of the total ACN intake. Non-acylated contributed 77% compared to 23% from acylated ACNs.