Common Anthocyanidins Research Articles

Five similar anthocyanidin molecules display distinct disruptive effects and mechanisms of action on Aβ1–42 protofibril: A molecular dynamic simulation study

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) fibrillary aggregates. Disaggregation of Aβ fibrils is considered as one of the promising AD treatments. Recent experimental studies showed that anthocyanidins, one type of flavonoids abundant in fruits/vegetables, can disaggregate Aβ fibrillary aggregates. However, their relative disruptive capacities and underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the detailed interactions between five most common anthocyanidins (cyanidin, aurantinidin, peonidin, delphinidin, and pelargonidin) and Aβ protofibril (an intermediate of Aβ fibrillization) by performing microsecond molecular dynamic simulations. We found that all five anthocyanidins can destroy F4-L34-V36 hydrophobic core and K28-A42 salt bridge, leading to Aβ protofibril destabilization. Aurantinidin exhibits the strongest damage to Aβ protofibril (with the most severe disruption on K28-A42 salt bridges), followed by cyanidin (with the most destructive effect on F4-L34-V36 core). Detailed analyses reveal that the protofibril-destruction capacities of anthocyanidins are subtly modulated by the interplay of anthocyanidin-protofibril hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic, aromatic stacking interactions, which are dictated by the number or location of hydroxyl/methyl groups of anthocyanidins. These findings provide important mechanistic insights into Aβ protofibril disaggregation by anthocyanidins, and suggest that aurantinidin/cyanidin may serve as promising starting-points for the development of new drug candidates against AD.

Effect of Malvidin on Induction of Apoptosis and Inhibition of Cell Proliferation on Myeloid and Lymphoid Leukemia

Malvidin is one of 6 most common anthocyanidins found in fruits and vegtables. studies suggest that anthocyanidins are bioactive chemicals have potential for treatment of cancer. Malvidin have been demonstrated to induce apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation in a number of cancer cell lines. However, to date, few studies have tested the potential of malvidin in the treatment of leukemia. In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties of malvidin in two human leukemia cell lines lymphoid cell line: SUP-B15 (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) and myeloid cell line: KG-1a (acute myelogenous leukemia) in addition to non-tumour control cells (CD133+ HSC). We found that treatment of cells with malvidin at concentration 0, 25, 50 and 100 µM for 24 h resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation in both leukemia cell lines with obvious less cytotoxic effect on non-tumour control cells. In addition, malvidin induce apoptosis in a dose and dependent manner in both leukemia cells and confirmed that by activation of caspas-3 following 24 h treatment. Cell arrest at S phase has been indicated in both cell lines using DNA analysis by flow cytometry. These finding indicated that malvidin could inhibit leukemic cell proliferation and induce their apoptosis and might be used as one kind of functional food component or a novel nutraceutical beneficial for blood health.

In vitro and cellular antioxidant activities of 3-deoxyanthocyanidin colourants

3-Deoxyanthocyanidins are a rare type of plant colourant with potential high antioxidant activity. This study investigated the in vitro and cellular antioxidant activity of four 3-deoxyanthocyanidins: apigeninidin, 7-methoxy-apigeninidin, luteolinidin and 5,7-dimethoxy-luteolinidin, compared to a common anthocyanidin: cyanidin, and several well-known antioxidants. The aim was to understand the antioxidant potency of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and their structure-activity relationships. The 3-deoxyanthocyanidin luteolinidin and 5,7-dimethoxy-luteolinidin and the anthocyanidin cyanidin consistently demonstrated significantly high antioxidant activity in all assays. The results showed that the antioxidant activity of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins was highly structurally dependent. The A-ring OCH3, B-ring catechol and C-ring C3–OH groups all had significant influences on the antioxidant activity, and the B-ring catechol group was essential for high antioxidant activity of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins in all the assays. This was the first study evaluating the cellular antioxidant activity of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, and the results suggested that luteolinidin and 5,7-dimethoxy-luteolinidin might be good candidates for development as antioxidant supplements.

Anthocyanins: A Comprehensive Review of Their Chemical Properties and Health Effects on Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Anthocyanins are a class of water-soluble flavonoids widely present in fruits and vegetables. Dietary sources of anthocyanins include red and purple berries, grapes, apples, plums, cabbage, or foods containing high levels of natural colorants. Cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, peonidin, petunidin, and pelargonidin are the six common anthocyanidins. Following consumption, anthocyanin, absorption occurs along the gastrointestinal tract, the distal lower bowel being the place where most of the absorption and metabolism occurs. In the intestine, anthocyanins first undergo extensive microbial catabolism followed by absorption and human phase II metabolism. This produces hybrid microbial–human metabolites which are absorbed and subsequently increase the bioavailability of anthocyanins. Health benefits of anthocyanins have been widely described, especially in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that health-promoting effects attributed to anthocyanins may also be related to modulation of gut microbiota. In this paper we attempt to provide a comprehensive view of the state-of-the-art literature on anthocyanins, summarizing recent findings on their chemistry, biosynthesis, nutritional value and on their effects on human health.

QSAR studies of the antioxidant activity of anthocyanins.

Through experimental information available from antioxidant assays of seventeen anthocyanins, and six common anthocyanidins, quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) have been established in the present work. The antioxidant bioactivity has been predicted in three different lipid environments: emulsified and bulk oil (methyl linoleate) (in vitro tests) at concentrations of 50 and 250μM, and 50μM of the inhibitor, respectively, and in human LDL (low-density lipoprotein; "bad cholesterol") (ex vivo test) at concentrations of 2.5, 10, and 25μM of the inhibitor. Radical scavenging activity was predicted in the assay with the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·). The QSAR models developed for each test and concentration used allowed to obtain prospective information on the constitutional and topological molecular characteristics for anthocyanin/anthocyanidin compounds. Therefore, the antioxidant activity was predicted for twenty-one compounds with unknown experimental values, leading for some of them to a favorable predicted bioactivity.

Petunidin, a B-ring 5'-O-Methylated Derivative of Delphinidin, Stimulates Osteoblastogenesis and Reduces sRANKL-Induced Bone Loss.

Several lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms of osteoporosis. We aimed to elucidate the bone protective effects of petunidin, one of the most common anthocyanidins, considering its potent antioxidative activity. Petunidin (>5 μg/mL) significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis and downregulated c-fos, Nfatc1, Mmp9, Ctsk, and Dc-stamp mRNA expression in RAW264.7 cells. Conversely, petunidin (>16 μg/mL) stimulated mineralized matrix formation and gene expression of Bmp2 and Ocn, whereas it suppressed Mmp13, Mmp2, and Mmp9 mRNA expression and proteolytic activities of MMP13 and MMP9 in MC3T3-E1 cells. Micro-CT and bone histomorphometry analyses of sRANKL-induced osteopenic C57BL/6J mice showed that daily oral administration of petunidin (7.5 mg/kg/day) increased bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), the ratio of osteoid volume to tissue volume (OV/TV), osteoid thickness (O.Th), the ratio of osteoid surface to bone surface (OS/BS), the ratio of osteoblast surface to bone surface (Ob.S/BS), and the number of osteoblast per unit of bone surface (N.Ob/BS), and decreased trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), the ratio of eroded surface to bone surface (ES/BS), the ratio of osteoclast surface to bone surface (Oc.S/BS), and number of osteoclast per unit of bone surface (N.Oc/BS), compared to untreated mice. Furthermore, histological sections of the femurs showed that oral administration of petunidin to sRANKL-induced osteopenic mice increased the size of osteoblasts located along the bone surface and the volume of osteoid was consistent with the in vitro osteoblast differentiation and MMP inhibition. These results suggest that petunidin is a promising natural agent to improve sRANKL-induced osteopenia in mice through increased osteoid formation, reflecting accelerated osteoblastogenesis, concomitant with suppressed bone resorption.

Anthocyanins from mauve flowers of Erlangea tomentosa (Bothriocline longipes) based on erlangidin – The first reported natural anthocyanidin with C-ring methoxylation

Above 700 different anthocyanins have been isolated from plants. These flavonoid pigments are grouped after the number and position of hydroxy- and methoxy-groups on their anthocyanidin A- and B-rings, which influence their properties. In this study two new anthocyanins, erlangidin 5-O-(4″-(E-caffeoyl)-6″-(malonyl)-β-glucopyranoside)-3′-O-(6‴-(3II-(β-glucopyranosyl)-E-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranoside) and erlangidin 5-O-(6″-(malonyl)-β-glucopyranoside)-3′-O-(6‴-(3II-(β-glucopyranosyl)-E-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranoside) were isolated from purple flowers of Erlangea tomentosa (Bothriocline longipes) Oliv. & Hiern (Asteraceae) in amounts of ∼1.6 and 0.6 mg/g fr. wt., respectively. They were found to contain the first reported natural anthocyanidin with a methoxy-group on the heterocyclic C-ring, which we have given the name erlangidin.” During extraction, isolation and storage in acidified methanolic solvents the two anthocyanins were both partly converted to their demalonylated and methylmalonyl esterified forms. Spectroscopic and chromatographic characteristics for erlangidin in comparison with the common anthocyanidins, which it might be mistaken for, are included.

Interferences of anthocyanins with the uptake of lycopene in Caco-2 cells, and their interactive effects on anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation in vitro and ex vivo.

Lycopene was combined with the glucosides of each of the six common anthocyanidins at 3 different ratios to investigate their interactions on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and cellular uptake. The bioactivity interaction between lycopene and anthocyanins was studied in both chemical and cellular models. Anti-oxidative synergy was not seen in any of the tested lycopene-anthocyanin mixtures, nor in the models studied. When lycopene was paired with the methoxylated anthocyanins, the anti-inflammatory effect on the inhibition of the cytokine IL-8, which is a pro-inflammatory biomarker, was increased by 15-69% of the expected additive activity, indicating synergistic interaction between the compounds. The cellular uptake of lycopene was significantly impaired by the presence of the anthocyanins: reduced by 50-80% at the lycopene: anthocyanin combinatory ratios of 2.5:7.5 μM (1:3) or 5:5 μM (1:1). The reduced intracellular lycopene content might be partly responsible for the antagonistic cellular antioxidant property seen in some of the tested mixtures.

Effect of Different Anthocyanidin Glucosides on Lutein Uptake by Caco-2 Cells, and Their Combined Activities on Anti-Oxidation and Anti-Inflammation In Vitro and Ex Vivo

The interactive effects on anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation of lutein combined with each of the six common anthocyanidin glucosides were studied in both chemical and cellular systems. The combined phytochemicals showed an antagonism in the inhibition of lipid oxidation in a liposomal membrane, but showed an additive effect on cellular antioxidant activity in Caco-2 cells. Lutein was an active lipoxygenase inhibitor at 2–12 μM while anthocyanins were inactive. The concentration of lutein when it was used in combination with anthocyanins was 25–54% higher than when lutein was used alone (i.e., IC50 = 1.2 μM) to induce 50% of lipoxygenase inhibition. Only the combination of lutein with malvidin-3-glucoside showed anti-inflammatory synergy in the suppression of interleukin-8, and the synergy was seen at all three ratios tested. Some mixtures, however, showed anti-inflammatory antagonism. The presence of anthocyanins (5–7.5 μM) did not affect lutein uptake (2.5–5 μM) by Caco-2 cells.

Profiling of anthocyanidins against transcriptional activities of steroid and nuclear receptors

The aim of current study was to evaluate the effect of the most common anthocyanidins (cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, and peonidin) on the transcriptional activity of steroid and nuclear receptors. The activities of steroid receptors – progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and nuclear receptors – vitamin D receptor (VDR), retinoid X receptor (RXR), retinoic acid receptor (RAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), and thyroid receptor (TR) were assessed using either stable transfected luciferase gene reporter cell lines or transiently transfected cell lines. The cytotoxicity assays and gene reporter assays were performed after the 24-h treatment of cells with increasing range of concentrations (10 nM to 50 µM) of selected anthocyanidins. The results of experiments indicate that none of the examined anthocyanidins in all tested concentrations caused remarkable changes of transcriptional activity of studied steroid receptors, but their increasing concentrations slightly inhibited transcriptional activity of nuclear receptors induced by model agonists.

Validation of a UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for anthocyanidin quantification in potato tubers

The development of bioanalytical methods has become challenging due to sample complexity, requirements for method reliability, and speed of analysis with triple quadrupole LC-MS/MS used widely for the routine analysis of biological materials. The article presents the method development and validation results for pelargonidin and malvidin in potato tubers. The developed method uses a short C18 column, is able to measure all six common anthocyanidins, uses a binary mobile phase with acetonitrile and water both with added 1% formic acid, ESI ionisation in positive mode, 3-h hydrolysis with 2.7 M methanolic HCl at 90°C. For pelargonidin and malvidin, the method shows high recovery of 98–100%, intra-day repeatability of 6.7–17.9% (depending on the analyte and concentration level), uncertainty below 20%, and uses quadratic calibration.

Changes in anthocyanidin levels during the maturation of color-fleshed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers

Certain potato cultivars are capable of producing anthocyanin pigments in the potato skin and flesh and those pigments have been shown, together with other phytochemicals, to promote good health. Six common anthocyanidins (cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, pelargonidin, malvidin and peonidin) were analyzed weekly for 15weeks in red- and purple-fleshed potato cultivars (Red Emma, Königspurpur, Valfi and Blaue de la Mancha) grown in field conditions using a validated LC-(+ESI)MS/MS method. Pelargonidin was the major type detected in red-fleshed cultivars whereas petunidin was the major type detected in the purple ones. Neither cyanidin nor delphinidin were found in any of the cultivars. The anthocyanidin levels observed were as high as 78mg/100g FW during tuber growth; however, fully matured tubers contained only 10–39mg anthocyanidins/100gFW. Anthocyanidin levels were moderately correlated with global solar irradiation (r<0.6252) but not with rainfall or daily temperature.

Low‐density lipoprotein oxidation inhibition by anthocyanins of wild blueberries

AbstractThe use of natural compounds to prevent oxidative damage in biological systems is becoming increasingly popular. Blueberries have been of specific interest because of their high antioxidant capacity. Anthocyanins were extracted from berries of Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton and Vaccinium myrtilloides Michaux at 79 °C in acidified ethanol with phosphoric acid as a solvent using a liquid/solid ratio of 10. Extracted anthocyanins were purified on a C‐18 silica‐packed column and analyzed by HPLC coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Of the six common anthocyanidins, five were identified in the extracts, namely delphinidin, cyanidin, peonidin, petunidin, and malvidin, while pelargonidin was not found. The free radical scavenging effects of anthocyanins were evaluated using N,N‐dimethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine method as well as their potential to mitigate in vitro low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidative damage. After 6 h of incubation, the oxidation products formation such as that of conjugated dienes, trienes, and hexanal was inhibited up to 60 %. Based on these data, we concluded that anthocyanins from V. angustifolium and V. myrtilloides of Quebec possess the ability to inhibit in vitro LDL oxidation.

Evolutionary correlations in flavonoid production across flowers and leaves in the Iochrominae (Solanaceae)

Plant reproductive and vegetative tissues often use the same biochemical pathways to produce specialized metabolites. In such cases, selection acting on the synthesis of specific products in a particular tissue could result in correlated changes in other products of the pathway, both in the same tissue and in other tissues. This study examined how changes in floral anthocyanin pigmentation affect the production of other compounds of the flavonoid pathway in flowers and in leaves. Focusing on the Iochrominae, a clade of Solanaceae with a wide range of flower colors, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and UV detection was used to profile and quantify the variation in two classes of flavonoids, anthocyanins and flavonols. Purple, red, orange and white-flowered Iochrominae produced all of the six common anthocyanidin types, as well as several classes of flavonols. Differences in anthocyanin and flavonol production were significantly correlated in flowers, particularly with respect to B ring hydroxylation pattern. However, these differences in floral flavonoids were not strongly related to differences in leaf chemistry. Specifically, most species made only flavonols (not anthocyanins) in leaves, and these comprised the two most common flavonols, quercetin and kaempferol, regardless of the color of the flower. These results suggest that shifts in flower color may occur without significant pleiotropic consequences for flavonoid production in vegetative tissues. Similar studies in other systems will be important for testing the generality of this pattern in other groups of flowering plants.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study of anthocyanidins

Anthocyanins are an important class of natural compounds responsible for the red, purple and blue colors in a large number of flowers, fruits and cereal grains. They are polyhydroxy- and polymethoxy-derivatives of 2-phenylbenzopyrylium (flavylium) salts, which are present in nature as glycosylated molecules. The aim of the present study is to assess the identification of anthocyanidins, i.e. anthocyanins without the glycosidic moiety, by means of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a very chemically-specific technique which is moreover sensitive to subtle changes in molecular structures. These features can lead to elect SERS, among the spectroscopic tools currently at disposal of scientists, as a technique of choice for the identification of anthocyanidins, since: (1) anthocyanidins structurally present the same benzopyrylium moiety and differentiate only for the substitution pattern on their phenyl ring, (2) different species are present in aqueous solution depending on the pH. It will be demonstrated that, while resonance Raman spectra of anthocyanidins are very similar to one another, SER spectra show greater differences, leading to a further step in the identification of such important compounds in diluted solutions by means of vibrational spectroscopy. Moreover, the dependence on the pH of the six most common anthocyanidins, i.e. cyanidin, delphinidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, malvidin and petunidin, is studied. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, a complete SERS study of such important molecules is reported in the present work for the first time.

Protective effects of common anthocyanidins against genotoxic damage induced by chemotherapeutic drugs in mice.

Experiments were performed to assess in mice the inhibitory effects of the anthocyanidins cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, and pelargonidin on genotoxic damage induced by the anticancer drugs cyclophosphamide, procarbazine, and cisplatin. Each anthocyanidin was administered 30 min before injecting the drug, and genotoxicity was assessed by measuring micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow cells. In addition, we monitored the effect of anthocyanidins on apoptosis induced by cyclophosphamide and procarbazine. The results showed significant protective effects of cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, and pelargonidin against DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide. With delphinidin and malvidin, a biphasic dose-response was observed for protection against cyclophosphamide. Dose-related reduction of genotoxicity was observed with pelargonidin against procarbazine. However with cyanidin, the medium dose of 2 mg/kg showed maximum protection against procarbazine. Cyanidin and pelargonidin significantly reduced the chromosomal damage induced by cisplatin. Furthermore, pre-treatment with these anthocyanidins reduced the level of apoptosis induced by cyclophosphamide and procarbazine. In conclusion, this study shows that anthocyanidins can reduce the efficacy of anticancer drugs for inducing DNA damage and apoptosis.

Intake of anthocyanidins pelargonidin and cyanidin reduces genotoxic stress in mice induced by diepoxybutane, urethane and endogenous nitrosation

Pelargonidin (PEL) and cyanidin (CYN) are among the six most abundant anthocyanidins which provide red, blue and purple colors to fruits and vegetables. Health benefits associated with intake of anthocyanins have been attributed mainly to antioxidant activity of these color pigments. The aim of our present study was to assess in mice the impact of PEL and CYN intake on genotoxic stress induced by DNA damaging environmental toxicants. These anthocyanidins were administered by gavage to mice before exposure to genotoxic carcinogens diepoxybutane (DEB) and urethane (URE). In addition, the inhibitory effect of PEL and CYN on endogenous nitrosation was evaluated by using a model nitrosation reaction mixture consisting of methyl urea (MU)+sodium nitrite (SN) which reacts in the stomach to form the carcinogenic methyl nitrosourea (MNU). All the test doses of PEL (2.5–20mg/kg) and CYN (1–4mg/kg) significantly reduced the genotoxicity of DEB. A dose-related increase was observed for antigenotoxicity of PEL against URE. The lowest test-dose of CYN showed maximum protection against URE. Co-administration of PEL/CYN with the nitrosation reaction mixture led to reduction in genotoxicity. CYN was more effective as an inhibitor of endogenous nitrosation. Combination of PEL with ascorbic acid (AA) enhanced the antinitrosating effect when compared to that with each phytochemical alone. The results of our present study indicate that common anthocyanidins PEL and CYN can play a major role in reducing genotoxic stress induced by environmental toxicants.

Circular dichroism of anthocyanidin 3-glucoside self-aggregates

Self-association constants for the flavylium cations of the six most common anthocyanidin 3-glucosides were determined by circular dichroism (CD) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Along with previous (1)H NMR results, all measurements were consistent with a monomer-dimer model. The CD spectra of the anthocyanidin 3-glucosides were similar to the analogues 3,5-diglucosides. All dimers of the anthocyanidin 3-glucosides exhibited left-handed CD signals, with petunidin-3-glucoside and myrtillin having the most intense signals. In addition, the magnitude of the molar ellipticity, [θ], was generally higher for the 3-glucosides than for the 3,5-diglucosides. For all six anthocyanins studied, the CD absorption spectra of their dimers showed evidence of the splitting of the monomer absorption into lower (J aggregates) and higher (H aggregates) energy bands. The angle and the distance between the dipolar moments of the two monomers comprising the dimer were obtained from the lower energy absorption band. While the angle was more or less similar in all six dimers, the separation distance between the monomer dipole moments differed dramatically. The intensity of the CD signal displayed a linear dependence with the inverse square of the dipole moment distances.

Cooked Blueberries: Anthocyanin and Anthocyanidin Degradation and Their Radical-Scavenging Activity

This study examined anthocyanin and anthocyanidin composition and radical-scavenging activity of three cultivars of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L., cv. Bluecrop, Bluetravel, and Ozarkblue) before and after cooking. A total of 13 anthocyanins were separated and monitored in methanolic extracts of raw fruits by high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector (HPLC/DAD). Principal component analysis using the anthocyanin profile as variables revealed differences according to cultivar origin. Of the six common anthocyanidins, four were identified and quantified in the hydrolysates, namely, malvidin, the most abundant, followed by cyanidin, petunidin, and delphynidin. A systematic evaluation of the degradation of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins of blueberries cooked in stuffed fish was performed. The percentage of anthocyanin degradation in cooked blueberries (by progressive heating from 12 to 99 °C for 60 min) ranged between 16 and 30% for Bluecrop, 30-42% for Bluetravel, and 12-41% for Ozarkblue. However, cooked blueberries maintained or increased radical-scavenging activity when evaluated by the 1,1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Overall, results show that cooked blueberries can serve as a good source of bioactive phytochemicals.

Degradation of Anthocyanins and Anthocyanidins in Blueberry Jams/Stuffed Fish

This study examined the effects of cooking on the degradation of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) from cultivar Bluecrop. Fruits were used to prepare jams with different degrees Brix and stuffed fish. A systematic evaluation of the degradation of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins of blueberries was performed; for that purpose an HPLC/DAD method was used to determine anthocyanin profile and anthocyanidin contents in fresh and cooked blueberries and in jams. Ten anthocyanins were separated and monitored in methanolic extracts. Of the six common anthocyanidins, four were identified in the hydrolysates, namely, delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin and malvidin. Percentage of degradation of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins in jams is highly dependent on degrees Brix: 64-76 degrees Brix led to 20-30% degradation, whereas 80 degrees Brix resulted in degradation between 50 and 60%. Percentage of degradation of anthocyanins in whole blueberries cooked in stuffed fish ranged between 45 and 50%, however, for anthocyanidins, the percentage of degradation was significantly lower, between 12 and 30%, indicating that this cooking procedure can preserve anthocyanidin degradation.