Anthocyanin pigments

Fruifs and vegetables also contain ofher bioactive substances such as polyphenols (including well-known pigments anthocyanins, flavonols) and non-provitamin A carotenoids (mainly lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) that may have protective effects on chronic diseases. Polyphenols and carotenoids are known to display antioxidant activities, counteracting oxidative alterations in cells. Besides these antioxidant properties, these colored bioactive substances may exert other actions on cell signaling and gene expression. 

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of our present knowledge about the health benehts of pigments, particularly their effects on chronic diseases. We examine the effects of lipophilic (carotenoids, chlorophylls) and hydrophilic pigments (anthocyanins and flavones-flavonols), and curcumin. Descriptive and mechanistic studies are reviewed in regard to common chronic diseases. 

What impresses about blueberry s nutrient profile is that it has a broad range. Almost all essential nutrients are present at low to good levels for achieving daily value percentages—similar to its close cousin, the cranberry. Three nutrients with excellent DV percentages are dietary fiber (mainly from the berry skin), vitamin C, and the essential mineral manganese. The main attraction of blueberries maybe the skin s unique profile of blue-pigmented anthocyanins and resveratrol, two intensively researched scientific topics. 

Both marketers of manufactured superfruit products and the public media have exaggerated the potential antioxidant importance of fruit compounds such as polyphenol pigments (anthocyanins, flavonoids, tannins, catechins, xanthones, and many others). These compounds have antioxidant activity in controlled laboratory conditions, but there is no scientifically confirmed evidence that they have antioxidant roles in the human body. 

Figure 3. Percentage of the total color contributed by the three classes of pigments found in a Syrah wine shortly after pressing. MP, monomeric pigments (anthocyanins) SPP, small polymeric pigments LPP, large polymeric...

Chromatography of flower pigments (anthocyanins) is performed on both. silica gel and cellulose plates. Silica gel plates are used for TLC of Croci stigma extracts. 

Anthocyanins belong to the flavonoid derived phytochemicals. In common berries, anthocyanins act mainly as red to purple pigments. Anthocyanins were shown to be potent anti-oxidants, hence the interest in anthocyanins as functional food ingredients is continuously increasing. Anthocyanin extracts prepared from red/blue berry varieties gained much consumer attraction as health-promoting dietary supplements. 

Experiment 1 compares reversed-phase and adsorption TLC for the separation of fat-soluble chloroplast pigments from plant tissues. Experiment 2 uses silica gel TLC to examine lipophilic pigments in animal tissue. Experiment 3 uses cellulose TLC to examine water-soluble pigments (anthocyanins) in plant tissues. 

Fig. 6, Transformation in petunia. Seedlings of a white flowering mutant are treated with DNA from a red flowering wild type. Several of the treated mutants subsequently develop red blossoms. This capacity to form red pigment (anthocyanin) is maintained throughout subsequent sexual reproduction and vegetative growth. As a control, white flowering mutants were treated with their own DNA. They continue to produce white blossoms, except in a few cases where external factors, beyond experimental control, have induced slight anthocyanin synthesis. Synthesis of anthocyanin so induced is not maintained by subsequent generations.

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