Impact of various factors on the composition and stability of black currant anthocyanins

Nine black currant varieties cultivated in Lithuania were studied. The highest amount of ascorbic acid was established in fresh berries from c nu Minaj Smyriov and Kupoliniai: these varieties contained 220.5 and 186.7 mg 100g(-1) of ascorbic acid in berries. The highest amount of anthocyanins was found in cake produced from berries c nu Kupoliniai and Kriviai: 14.65 and 15.42 mg g(-1), respectively. The major pigment determined in Kupoliniai variety was delphinidin-3-rutinoside; in Ben Lomond, Minaj Smyriov, Kriviai and Gagatai cultivars, cyanidin-3-rutinoside. The composition of the identified pigments was the following: cyanidin-3-rutinoside (33-38%), delphinidin-3-rutinoside (27-34%), cyanidin-3-glucoside (8-10%) and delphinidin-3-glucoside (8-10%). Impact of storage, thermal treatment and addition of sweeteners were studied. Cyanidin-3-rutinoside was the most stable to the effect of thermal treatment at 95 degrees C, while cyanidin and delphinidin rutinosides were the most stable during storage for 12 months at 8 degrees C. Fructose has a greater effect on anthocyanin degradation compared with glucose and aspartame. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.