CHARACTERIZATION OF ACETYLATED ANTHOCYANINS IN LOWBUSH BLUEBERRIES

The anthocyanin pigments of blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.), previously reported as the 3-glucosides, galactosides and arabinosides of delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, peonidin and malvidin have been shown to occur both as non-acylated and acetylated forms by chromatographic, chemical and spectral analyses. In 'Fundy' blueberries, acetylated anthoycanins accounted for over 32% of the anthocyanin content. The two major acetylated anthocyanins were characterized as the and 3-acetylglucoside and 3-acetylgalactoside of malvidin. This is the first report of acylated anthoycanins in lowbush blueberries and the first report on the presence of acetylated 3-galactosides of the five commonly occurring anthocyanidins.