Characterization of Anthocyanins in Sweetpotato leaves

Abstract

As phytochemical‐enriched edible greens, sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaves have become popular due to potential health benefits. However, the phytochemical contents in sweetpotato leaves and their subsequent change over harvest stages and growth condition are mostly unknown. In this study we determined the anthocyanin profile and content in leaves of four sweetpotato cultivars (Bonita, Beauregard, Murasaki, and P40). Fourteen anthocyanins, including one newly discovered, were identified by HPLC‐MS/MS. The most abundant was cyanidin 3‐caffeoyl‐p‐hydroxybenzoyl sophoroside‐5‐glucoside, which comprised up to 20% of the total anthocyanins. Of the young leaves (1st and 2nd slip cuttings), Bonita contained the highest anthocyanin content followed by P40. Of the mature leaves (vine stage), Beauregard had the greatest anthocyanin (391 mg/kg DW) and total phenolic (52 GAE/g DW) content. It should be noted that the lowest anthocyanin and total phenolic content of shoots were found in P40, while tubers of P40 contain the highest content of each. Furthermore, the increase in leaf anthocyanin content over the growth stages that was observed in three of the cultivars was absent in P40. No significant difference of anthocyanin content was found in Beauregard leaves grown in the high tunnels or open field.Support or Funding Informationsupported by USDA Cooperative KS511‐1001903