Classification of fruits based on anthocyanin types and relevance to their health effects
Highlights
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- Fruits are divided into pelargonidin, cyanidin/peonidin, and multiple anthocyanins groups.
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- Cyanidin and peonidin glycosides can be metabolically converted to each other.
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- Cyanidin, peonidin, and pelargonidin glycosides can be metabolized to stable metabolites.
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- Higher cyanidin and pelargonidin content may be associated with anti-inflammatory effect.
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- Anti-inflammatory effect may be attributed to the stable phenolic acid metabolites.
Abstract
Anthocyanins are a group of water-soluble pigments which confer the blue, purple, and red color to many fruits. Anthocyanin-rich fruits can be divided into three groups based on the types of aglycones of their anthocyanins: Pelargonidin group, cyanidin/peonidin group, and multiple anthocyanidins group. Some fruits contain a major anthocyanin type and can serve as useful research tools. Cyanidin glycosides and peonidin glycosides can be metabolically converted to each other by methylation and demethylation. Both cyanidin and peonidin glycosides can be metabolized to protocatechuic acid and vanillic acid. Pelargonidin-3-glucoside is metabolized to 4-hydroxybenoic acid. On the other hand, phenolic acid metabolites of delphinidin, malvidin, and petunidin glycosides are unstable and can be further fragmented into smaller molecules. A literature review indicates that berries with higher cyanidin and pelargonidin content, such as chokeberries, black raspberries, bilberries, and strawberries are more likely to produce an anti-inflammatory effect. This observation seems to be consistent with the hypothesis that one or more stable phenolic acid metabolites contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of anthocyanin-rich fruits. More studies are needed before we can conclude that fruits rich in cyanidin, peonidin or pelargonidin glycosides have better anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, a systematic anti-inflammatory effect is probably not the only mechanism by which anthocyanin-rich fruits exert their health effects. For example, blueberries could exert their health effects within the gut by improving intestinal microbiota profiles. In summary, this classification system can facilitate our understanding of the absorption and metabolic processes of anthocyanins and the health effects of different fruits.
Key Words
- anthocyanin;
- classification;
- fruits;
- protocatechuic acid;
- 4-hydroxybenoic acid;
- anti-inflammatory effect;
- metabolite
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