Anthocyanins from Maize (Zea mays) and Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea)

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2001-05, Vol.49 (5), p.2318-2321
• Main Authors: Fossen, Torgils, Slimestad, Rune, Andersen, Øyvind M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Anthocyanins - analysis; Anthocyanins - isolation & purification; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical constitution; Economic plant physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Mass Spectrometry; Poaceae - chemistry; Zea mays - chemistry
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/jf001399d

Flowers of maize, Zea mays, and reed canarygrass, Phalaris arundinacea, contain the same anthocyanins:  cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-(6‘ ‘-malonylglucoside), cyanidin 3-(3‘ ‘,6‘ ‘-dimalonylglucoside), peonidin 3-glucoside, peonidin 3-(6‘ ‘-malonylglucoside), and peonidin 3-(dimalonylglucoside). The latter pigment has previously not been reported to occur in plants. Structure elucidations were primarily based on homo- and heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR and electrospray MS. During the isolation procedure using various mixtures of H2O, CF3CO2H, and CH3OH, and during storage in NMR solvent (CF3CO2D/CD3OD; 1:19, v/v) methyl esterification of the free acid function of the malonyl units of the pigments occurs. The acylated anthocyanins constitute more than 80% and 40% of the anthocyanins in P. arundinacea and Z. mays, respectively. Flowers and leaves of maize, Zea mays, contain the same anthocyanins in nearly equal relative proportions. Keywords: Maize; Zea mays; reed canarygrass; Phalaris arundinacea; anthocyanins; cyanidin 3-(3‘ ‘,6‘ ‘-dimalonylglucoside); peonidin 3-dimalonylglucoside