In vitro digestion, absorption and biological activities of acylated anthocyanins from purple sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas).

Purple sweet potatoes (PSP) are widely used as color enhancers in food formulations. Investigations on the stability of PSP polyphenolics during simulated digestion and subsequent absorption in a Caco-2 cell monolayer model were accomplished. Measures of bioactive activities were also assessed in vitro. PSP whole polyphenolic extracts as a control (WC) were compared to isolates enriched in anthocyanins (AC) or non-anthocyanin phenolics (NAP). Anthocyanins were also alkali-hydrolyzed to remove acylated moieties. Compounds were subjected to simulated gastro-intestinal digestions where non-hydrolyzed anthocyanins showed higher stability compared to alkali-hydrolyzed. For many alkali-hydrolyzed anthocyanins, the transport through a Caco-2 cell monolayer was reduced. PSP fractions significantly increased the generation of reactive oxygen species in HT-29 cells and was suppressive in the CCD-18Co cells while down-regulated mRNA expression of inflammatory markers. Results indicate the importance of PSP composition and the effects of acyl moieties on anthocyanin stability and functional properties for food colors.

Pre-heating and polyphenol oxidase inhibition impact on extraction of purple sweet potato anthocyanins.

Purple sweet potatoes (PSP) have been used as a natural food colorant with high acylated anthocyanins concentrations. Commercially extracting pigments from PSP can be challenging due to firm texture and high polyphenol oxidase (PPO) content. These studies evaluated hot water immersions (30, 50, 70, and 90°C for 10 min) as pre-heating treatments and addition of PPO inhibitors (citric acid, oxalic acid, and sodium borate) to aqueous extraction solutions to aid pigment recovery. Predominant PSP anthocyanins included acylated cyanidin or peonidin derivatives. Non-pigmented cinnamates acted as oxidase substrates and induced co-oxidation reactions with anthocyanins. Pre-heating PSP significantly increased polyphenolic yields in a temperature-dependent manner, consistent with tissue softening and PPO inactivation. The use of solvent modifiers in the extraction solution associated with heat helped minimize enzyme action and increased polyphenolic recovery. Minimizing the impact of PPO with heat was critical to the extraction and recovery of PSP anthocyanins, suitable for food use.