Copigmentation and UPLC-ESI-MS/MS of anthocyanin inIpomea nilas potential source of food colorant

Anthocyanins are good alternative to synthetic dyes for food, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Owing to their wide occurrence in plant kingdom, an UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was used to identify and quantify the constituents in flowers ofIpomea nil. The qualitative evaluation ofI. nilresults in the characterisation of acylated and non-acylated anthocyanins. Besides characterisation, the total phenolic contents in different fractions ofI. nilwere found to be 49.69 +/- 1.74 and 331.54 +/- 1.14 mg GAE/g, respectively. The total anthocyanins content was also determined by spectrophotometer and found to be 5.89 mg/100g of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside equivalent. The antioxidant activity of different fraction ofI. nilwas evaluated by different assays (DPPHBLACK CIRCLE, ABTS(BLACK CIRCLE+)and FRAP). In the direction of natural colour stability, we had studied different stabilising agents/copigments and were found to provide stability up to 140 degrees C. The extracted anthocyanins were evaluated for acute oral toxicity studies and observed to be non-toxic and may direct the use ofI. nilfor human consumption.

Automated summary

Anthocyanins in Ipomea nil flowers are identified and quantified through UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method. These anthocyanins, along with high phenolic content, contribute to the potential use of I. nil as a natural and non-toxic alternative for synthetic dyes in various industries.