Analysis and biological activities of anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins are naturally occurring compounds that impart color to fruits, vegetables, and plants. They are probably the most important group of visible plant pigments besides chlorophyll. Apart from imparting color to plants, anthocyanins also have an array of health-promoting benefits, as they can protect against a variety of oxidants through a various number of mechanisms. However, anthocyanins have received less attention than other flavonoids, despite this. This article reviews their biological functions and pre-clinical studies, as well as the most recent analytical techniques concerning anthocyanin isolation and identification.
Kong
Jin-Ming
JM
National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, Singapore.
Chia
Lian-Sai
LS
Goh
Ngoh-Khang
NK
Chia
Tet-Fatt
TF
Brouillard
R
R
D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans
D000872:Anthocyanins; D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D004247:DNA