Ultrasound assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of anthocyanins from blueberry and its anti-tumor activity

Abstract

Blueberry contains abundant anthocyanins, polyphenols, polysaccharides, and other active compounds. Anthocyanins are one of the most principal active components in blueberry, which have high medical and medicinal values. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to optimize the ultrasound assisted aqueous two-phase extraction (UATPE) of anthocyanins from blueberry by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal extraction process to achieve the highest yield of anthocyanins (5.96 ± 0.04) mg/g from blueberry via UATPE was obtained under the ultrasound power of 269 W, extraction temperature of 56 °C, ammonium sulfate mass fraction of 23 %, and ethanol concentration of 25%. Subsequently, we evaluated the anti-tumor activity of blueberry anthocyanins extract (BAE) obtained under the optimal process on breast cancer by MTT, confocal laser microscopy, and flow cytometer. The results show that BAE could memorably inhibit MCF-7 cells viability, increase the intensity of nuclear blue fluorescence, and accelerate the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. The findings provide an effective and feasible method for the extraction of anthocyanins. Moreover, these results provide a material basis for the development of natural anti-tumor drugs.