The introgression of BjMYB113 from Brassica juncea leads to purple leaf trait in Brassica napus.

The purple leaves of Brassica napus are abundant in anthocyanins, which are renowned for their role in conferring distinct colors, stress tolerance, and health benefits, however the genetic basis of this trait in B. napus remains largely unelucidated. Herein, the purple leaf B. napus (PL) exhibited purple pigments in the upper epidermis and a substantial increase in anthocyanin accumulation, particularly of cyanidin, compared to green leaf B. napus (GL). The genetic control of the purple leaf trait was attributed to a semi-dominant gene, pl, which was mapped to the end of chromosome A03. However, sequencing of the fragments amplified by the markers linked to pl indicated that they were all mapped to chromosome B05 from B. juncea. Within this B05 chromosomal segment, the BjMYB113 gene-specific marker showed perfect co-segregation with the purple leaf trait in the F2 population, suggesting that the BjMYB113 introgression from B. juncea was the candidate gene for the purple leaf trait in B. napus. To further verify the function of candidate gene, CRISPR/Cas9 was performed to knock out the BjMYB113 gene in PL. The three myb113 mutants exhibited evident green leaf phenotype, absence of purple pigments in the adaxial epidermis, and a significantly reduced accumulation of anthocyanin compared to PL. Additionally, the genes involved in positive regulatory (TT8), late anthocyanin biosynthesis (DFR, ANS, UFGT), as well as transport genes (TT19) were significantly suppressed in the myb113 mutants, further confirming that BjMYB113 was response for the anthocyanin accumulation in purple leaf B. napus. This study contributes to an advanced understanding of the regulation mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in B. napus.

De novo biosynthesis of anthocyanins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using metabolic pathway synthases from blueberry.

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins are water-soluble flavonoids in plants, which give plants bright colors and are widely used as food coloring agents, nutrients, and cosmetic additives. There are several limitations for traditional techniques of collecting anthocyanins from plant tissues, including species, origin, season, and technology. The benefits of using engineering microbial production of natural products include ease of use, controllability, and high efficiency. RESULTS: In this study, ten genes encoding enzymes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway were successfully cloned from anthocyanin-rich plant materials blueberry fruit and purple round eggplant rind. The Yeast Fab Assembly technology was utilized to construct the transcriptional units of these genes under different promoters. The transcriptional units of PAL and C4H, 4CL and CHS were fused and inserted into Chr. XVI and IV of yeast strain JDY52 respectively using homologous recombination to gain Strain A. The fragments containing the transcriptional units of CHI and F3H, F3'H and DFR were inserted into Chr. III and XVI to gain Strain B1. Strain B2 has the transcriptional units of ANS and 3GT in Chr. IV. Several anthocyanidins, including cyanidin, peonidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, and malvidin, were detected by LC-MS/MS following the predicted outcomes of the de novo biosynthesis of anthocyanins in S. cerevisiae using a multi-strain co-culture technique. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a novel concept for advancing the heterologous de novo anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, as well as fundamental information and a theoretical framework for the ensuing optimization of the microbial synthesis of anthocyanins.

Physiological and molecular responses of 'Hamlin' sweet orange trees expressing the VvmybA1 gene under cold stress conditions.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Overexpression of VvmybA1 transcription factor in 'Hamlin' citrus enhances cold tolerance by increasing anthocyanin accumulation. This results in improved ROS scavenging, altered gene expression, and stomatal regulation, highlighting anthocyanins' essential role in citrus cold acclimation. Cold stress is a significant threat to citrus cultivation, impacting tree health and productivity. Anthocyanins are known for their role as pigments and have emerged as key mediators of plant defense mechanisms against environmental stressors. This study investigated the potential of anthocyanin overexpression regulated by grape (Vitis vinifera) VvmybA1 transcription factor to enhance cold stress tolerance in citrus trees. Transgenic 'Hamlin' citrus trees overexpressing VvmybA1 were exposed to a 30-day cold stress period at 4 °C along with the control wild-type trees. Our findings reveal that anthocyanin accumulation significantly influences chlorophyll content and their fluorescence parameters, affecting leaf responses to cold stress. Additionally, we recorded enhanced ROS scavenging capacity and distinct expression patterns of key transcription factors and antioxidant-related genes in the transgenic leaves. Furthermore, VvmybA1 overexpression affected stomatal aperture regulation by moderating ABA biosynthesis, resulting in differential responses in a stomatal opening between transgenic and wild-type trees under cold stress. Transgenic trees exhibited reduced hydrogen peroxide levels, enhanced flavonoids, radical scavenging activity, and altered phytohormonal profiles. These findings highlighted the role of VvmybA1-mediated anthocyanin accumulation in enhancing cold tolerance. The current study also underlines the potential of anthocyanin overexpression as a critical regulator of the cold acclimation process by scavenging ROS in plant tissues.

Antioxidant evaluation study of black rice anthocyanins nano-composite as prospective against infertility induced by AlCl3 in rats.

Anthocyanins are known as an antioxidant, and their water-soluble purple-colored pigments are very nutritive. Therefore, the present study investigated the antioxidant activity of black rice anthocyanins nano-composite against infertility induced by AlCl3 in rats. Anthocyanin silver nanoparticles (An-AgNPs) were prepared by reducing black rice anthocyanin with the metallic ions. Antioxidant activity (DPPH %) of anthocyanin was determined. Also, the morphology of (An-AgNPs) was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Albino rats were divided into five groups (negative control (NC): fed on basel diet, positive control (PC): treated with AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw) for seventy days, and three other groups treated with AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw) + An-AgNPs at 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg, b.w/ day, respectively for seventy days. Serum testosterone, LH, FSH, and estradiol were measured. Additionally, Sperm motility, Sperm count (Testicular and Epididymal), fructose in semen, and semen quality were determined. The values of the anthocyanin component and DPPH radical scavenging activity obtained were 3603.82±6.11 mg CCE/g and 84.62±1.98, respectively. An-AgNPs shows tend to agglomerate, particles are uniform in size and shape, and the diameter of the particles ranges between 70nm to 130nm. LH, estradiol and testosterone levels increased significantly in rats treated with An-AgNPs 10, 15, 20 mg/kg b.w+ AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw) also exhibited significantly higher sperm motility, sperm count, and daily sperm production, and decreased sperm transit rate than G2. In comparison to G2, animals treated with AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw) + An-AgNPs 10, 15, 20 mg/kg b.w(G3 to G5) had significantly higher semen and semen quality (P 0.05). We can conclude that the An-AgNPs showed a strong effect against infertility induced by AlCl3; this represents a suitable natural supply of biological substances for medicine and anthocyanins could be considered the ideal ingredients against oxidative stress-induced infertility.

Supplementing with monochromatic blue LED light during the day, rather than at night, increases anthocyanins in the berry skin of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.).

MAIN CONCLUSION: Supplying monochromatic blue LED light during the day, but not at night, promotes early coloration and improves anthocyanin accumulation in the skin of grape berries. Specific light spectra, such as blue light, are known to promote the biosynthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins in fruit skins. However, research is scarce on whether supplement of blue light during different periods of one day can differ in their effect. Here, we compared the consequences of supplying blue light during the day and night on the accumulation of anthocyanins in pigmented grapevine (Vitis vinifera) berries. Two treatments of supplemented monochromatic blue light were tested, with light emitting diodes (LED) disposed close to the fruit zone, irradiating between 8:00 and 18:00 (Dayblue) or between 20:00 and 6:00 (Nightblue). Under the Dayblue treatment, berry coloration was accelerated and total anthocyanins in berry skins increased faster than the control (CK) and also when compared to the Nightblue condition. In fact, total anthocyanin content was similar between CK and Nightblue. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that Dayblue slightly improved the relative expression of the anthocyanin-structural gene UFGT and its regulator MYBA1. Instead, the expression of the light-reception and -signaling related genes CRY, HY5, HYH, and COP1 rapidly increased under Dayblue. This study provides insights into the effect of supplementing monochromatic LED blue light during the different periods of one day, on anthocyanins accumulation in the berry skin.

Health-Promoting Effects, Phytochemical Constituents and Molecular Genetic Profile of the Purple Carrot 'Purple Sun' (Daucus carota L.).

The purple carrot cultivar 'Purple Sun' (Daucus carota L.) is characterized by a relevant content of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, which may play an important role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases and in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. In the present study, the genetic diversity, phytochemical composition, and bioactivities of this outstanding variety were studied for the first time. Genetic analysis by molecular markers estimated the level of genetic purity of this carrot cultivar, whose purple-pigmented roots were used for obtaining the purple carrot ethanol extract (PCE). With the aim to identify specialized metabolites potentially responsible for the bioactivities, the analysis of the metabolite profile of PCE by LC-ESI/LTQ Orbitrap/MS/MS was carried out. LC-ESI/HRMS analysis allowed the assignment of twenty-eight compounds, putatively identified as isocitric acid (1), phenolic acid derivatives (2 and 6), hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (9, 10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 22, and 23), anthocyanins (3-5, 7, 8, 11, and 18), flavanonols (15 and 21), flavonols (20 and 24), oxylipins (25, 26, and 28), and the sesquiterpene 11-acetyloxytorilolone (27); compound 26, corresponding to the primary metabolite trihydroxyoctanoic acid (TriHOME), was the most abundant compound in the LC-ESI/HRMS analysis of the PCE, and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives followed by anthocyanins were the two most represented groups. The antioxidant activity of PCE, expressed in terms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and antioxidant enzymes activity, and its pro-metabolic effect were evaluated. Moreover, the antibacterial activity on Gram (-) and (+) bacterial strains was investigated. An increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx), reaching a maximum at 0.5 mg/mL of PCE with a plateau at higher PCE concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/mL), was observed. PCE induced an initial decrease in ROS levels at 0.1 and 0.25 mg/mL concentrations, reaching the ROS levels of control at 0.5 mg/mL of PCE with a plateau at higher PCE concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/mL). Moreover, significant antioxidant and pro-metabolic effects of PCE on myoblasts were shown by a reduction in ROS content and an increase in ATP production linked to the promotion of mitochondrial respiration. Finally, the bacteriostatic activity of PCE was shown on the different bacterial strains tested, while the bactericidal action of PCE was exclusively observed against the Gram (+) Staphylococcus aureus. The bioactivities of PCE were also investigated from cellular and molecular points of view in colon and hematological cancer cells. The results showed that PCE induces proliferative arrest and modulates the expression of important cell-cycle regulators. For all these health-promoting effects, also supported by initial computational predictions, 'Purple Sun' is a promising functional food and an optimal candidate for pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical preparations.

Persimmon Fiber-Rich Ingredients Promote Anti-Inflammatory Responses and the Growth of Beneficial Anti-Inflammatory Firmicutes Species from the Human Colon.

Persimmon fruit processing-derived waste and by-products, such as peels and pomace, are important sources of dietary fiber and phytochemicals. Revalorizing these by-products could help promote circular nutrition and agricultural sustainability while tackling dietary deficiencies and chronic diseases. In this study, fiber-rich fractions were prepared from the by-products of Sharoni and Brilliant Red persimmon varieties. These fractions were quantified for their phenolic composition and assessed for their ability to promote the growth of beneficial human colonic Firmicutes species and for their in vitro anti-inflammatory potential. Gallic and protocatechuic acids, delphinidin, and cyanidin were the main phenolics identified. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii strains showed significantly higher growth rates in the presence of the Brilliant Red fraction, generating more than double butyrate as a proportion of the total short-chain fatty acids (39.5% vs. 17.8%) when compared to glucose. The fiber-rich fractions significantly decreased the inflammatory effect of interleukin-1ß in Caco-2 cells, and the fermented fractions (both from Sharoni and Brilliant Red) significantly decreased the inflammatory effect of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, fiber-rich fractions from persimmon by-products could be part of nutritional therapies as they reduce systemic inflammation, promote the growth of beneficial human gut bacteria, and increase the production of beneficial microbial metabolites such as butyrate.

The Complex FtBBX22 and FtHY5 Positively Regulates Light-Induced Anthocyanin Accumulation by Activating FtMYB42 in Tartary Buckwheat Sprouts.

Anthocyanin is one important nutrition composition in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) sprouts, a component missing in its seeds. Although anthocyanin biosynthesis requires light, the mechanism of light-induced anthocyanin accumulation in Tartary buckwheat is unclear. Here, comparative transcriptome analysis of Tartary buckwheat sprouts under light and dark treatments and biochemical approaches were performed to identify the roles of one B-box protein BBX22 and ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5). The overexpression assay showed that FtHY5 and FtBBX22 could both promote anthocyanin synthesis in red-flower tobacco. Additionally, FtBBX22 associated with FtHY5 to form a complex that activates the transcription of MYB transcription factor genes FtMYB42 and FtDFR, leading to anthocyanin accumulation. These findings revealed the regulation mechanism of light-induced anthocyanin synthesis and provide excellent gene resources for breeding high-quality Tartary buckwheat.

Divergent effects of azithromycin on purple corn (Zea mays L.) cultivation: Impact on biomass and antioxidant compounds.

The present study assessed the impact of using irrigation water contaminated with Azithromycin (AZM) residues on the biomass and antioxidant compounds of purple corn; for this purpose, the plants were cultivated under ambient conditions, and the substrate used consisted of soil free from AZM residues, mixed with compost in a ratio of 1:1 (v/v). The experiment was completely randomized with four replications, with treatments of 0, 1, 10, and 100 µg/L of AZM. The results indicate that the presence of AZM in irrigation water at doses of 1 and 10 µg/L increases the weight of dry aboveground biomass, while at an amount of 100 µg/L, it decreases. Likewise, this study reveals that by increasing the concentration of AZM from 1 to 10 µg/L, total polyphenols and monomeric anthocyanins double, in contrast, with an increase to 100 µg/L, these decrease by 44 and 53%, respectively. It has been demonstrated that purple corn exposed to the antibiotic AZM at low doses has a notable antioxidant function in terms of DPPH and ORAC. The content of flavonols, phenolic acids, and flavanols increases by 57, 28, and 83%, respectively, when the AZM concentration is from 1 to 10 µg/L. However, with an increase to 100 µg/L, these compounds decrease by 17, 40, and 42%, respectively. On the other hand, stem length, root length, and dry weight of root biomass are not significantly affected by the presence of AZM in irrigation water.

Anthocyanidin-Loaded Superabsorbent Self-Pumping Dressings for Macrophage Immunomodulation and Diabetic Wound Healing.

Management of diabetic chronic wound exudate is a serious challenge in healthcare worldwide since it is related to the speed of diabetic wound healing. However, current foam dressings not only absorb fluid to generate swelling and compress the wound to hinder wound healing but also are very thick and less comfortable to use. Herein, a superabsorbent self-pumping ultrathin dressing is reported to accelerate diabetic wound healing by achieving superior exudate absorption and management in an ultrathin state. The self-pumping dressing is composed of a drainage layer loaded with anthocyanidin and a thermoplastic polyurethane absorbent layer embedded with superabsorbent particles. The dressing realizes the self-pumping process of unidirectional exudate draining to the absorption layer through the drainage layer without significant dressing swelling to compress the diabetic wound. The dressing is experimentally proven to unidirectionally drain excessive exudate with inflammatory factors and modulate the conversion of macrophages from M1 to M2 in diabetic wounds, thereby promoting the healing of diabetic skin ulcers faster than commercial foam dressings. Therefore, the dressing provides a new idea and novel method for accelerating diabetic skin ulcer healing.

A sandwich-type photoelectrochemical biosensor based on anthocyanin-sensitized ZnO/P5FIn heterojunction for the sensitive detection of CYFRA21-1.

. A sandwich-type photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensor based on a ZnO/poly(5-formylindole) (P5FIn)/anthocyanin heterostructure was developed to achieve sensitive background-free detection of the tumor marker CYFRA21-1. ZnO with good photovoltaic properties is combined with narrow bandgap P5FIn to form a p-n type heterojunction. This structure reduces the electron-hole pair recombination, thereby enhancing the photocurrent response of the composite. Anthocyanidins are environmentally friendly natural compounds with excellent antioxidant, redox properties, and remarkable electrochemical activity. After sensitization by anthocyanins, the absorption and utilization of visible light in the composites are enhanced, further improving the PEC luminescence efficiency of the materials. Additionally, boron nitride quantum dots (BN QDs) are combined with Ab2 via polydopamine (PDA) as a secondary antibody marker, enhancing its sensitivity. The biosensor exhibited a linear detection range of 0.001-100 ng mL-1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.00033 ng mL-1. Furthermore, this biosensor demonstrates excellent selectivity, reproducibility, and stability, as well as successful results in analyzing actual human serum samples. This approach provides a feasible method for tumor marker detection.

An intelligent myofibrillar protein film for monitoring fish freshness by recognizing differences in anthocyanin (Lycium ruthenicum)-induced color change.

A novel smart film MP/BNC/ACN for real-time monitoring of fish freshness was developed using myofibrillar protein (MP) and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) as film raw materials and anthocyanin (Lycium ruthenicum, ACN) as an indicator. Firstly, the film containing 1 % ACN (MP/BNC/ACN1) was found to have a moderate thickness (0.44 ± 0.01 mm) and superior mechanical properties (tensile strength (TS) = 8.53 ± 0.11 MPa; elongation at break (EB) = 24.85 ± 1.38 %) by determining the physical structure. The covalent, electrostatic, and hydrogen bonding interactions between anthocyanin and the film matrix were identified and confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. A comprehensive evaluation concluded that MP/BNC/ACN1 exhibited excellent trimethylamine (TMA) sensitivity (total color difference (ΔE), ΔETMA0-1000 = 4.47-31.05; limit of detection (LOD), LOD = 1.03) and UV stability (ΔE96h = 4.16 ± 0.13). The performance of the films in assessing fish freshness was evaluated, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that MP/BNC/ACN1 (ΔE2-10d = 16.84-32.05) could clearly distinguish between fresh (0-2 d), sub-fresh (4-6 d), and spoiled (8-10 d) stages of fish, which corresponded to the film colors of red, light red, and gray-black. In conclusion, this study addresses the limitation that intelligent films cannot visually discern real-time freshness during fish storage and provides a promising approach for real-time fish freshness monitoring.

Transformation of mulberry polyphenols by Lactobacillus plantarum SC-5: Increasing phenolic acids and enhancement of anti-aging effect.

Fermentation can transform bioactive compounds in food and improve their biological activity. This study aims to explore the transformation of polyphenols in mulberry juice and the improvement of its anti-aging effect. The results demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum SC-5 transformed anthocyanin in mulberry juice into more phenolic acids, especially improved 2-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid from 4.16 ± 0.06 to 10.07 ± 0.03. In the D-gal-induced mouse model, fermented mulberry juice significantly raised the abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae (303.7 %) and Lactobacillaceae (237.2 %) and Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in intestine, further reducing the level of oxidative stress (12.3 %). Meanwhile, the expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increased, which protected the integrity of hippocampal tissue. Morris water maze results approved that fermented mulberry juice improved cognitive ability in aging mice (30.3 %). This study provides theoretical support for the view that fermentation is an effective means of developing functional foods.

Transcriptomic and multi-cytokines profile analysis revealed new insights into the integrating mechanisms of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on male reproductive damage amelioration.

Ulcerative colitis is a public health issue with a rising worldwide incidence. It has been found that current medications for treating UC may cause varying degrees of damage to male fertility. Our previous study demonstrated that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) treatment could effectively restore reproductive damage in a mouse model of DSS induced colitis. However, the underlying mechanism of C3G alleviates UC induced male reproductive disorders remain scarce. The aim of this study is to discover the molecular mechanisms of C3G on the amelioration of UC stimulated reproductive disorders. The targeted genes toward UC-induced reproductive injury upon C3G treatments were explored by transcriptomic analysis. Hematological analysis, histopathological examination, and real time transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis were applied for conjoined identification. Results showed that C3G may effectively target for reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in testis through cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway. Transcriptome sequencing found that a series of genetic pathways involved in the protective effects of C3G on male reproduction were identified by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Further results presented that C3G could effectively restore mRNA expression levels of Ly6a and Col1a1, closely linked with UC induced male reproductive damage pathways. Sufficient results implied that Ly6a and Col1a1 may be treated as the promising therapeutic targets for the mechanism of C3G in treating UC induced reproductive impairment. C3G administration might be an effective dietary supplementation strategy for male reproduction improvement.

Identifying potential anthocyanin biosynthesis regulator in Chinese cherry by comprehensive genome-wide characterization of the R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene family.

BACKGROUND: Chinese cherry [Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G.Don] (syn. Prunus pseudocerasus Lindl.) is an economically important fruiting cherry species with a diverse range of attractive colors, spanning from the lightest yellow to the darkest black purple. However, the MYB transcription factors involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis underlying fruit color variation in Chinese cherry remain unknown. RESULTS: In this study, we characterized the R2R3-MYB gene family of Chinese cherry by genome-wide identification and compared it with those of 10 Rosaceae relatives and Arabidopsis thaliana. A total of 1490 R2R3-MYBs were classified into 43 subfamilies, which included 29 subfamilies containing both Rosaceae MYBs and AtMYBs. One subfamily (S45) contained only Rosaceae MYBs, while three subfamilies (S12, S75, and S77) contained only AtMYBs. The variation in gene numbers within identical subfamilies among different species and the absence of certain subfamilies in some species indicated the species-specific expansion within MYB gene family in Chinese cherry and its relatives. Segmental and tandem duplication events primarily contributed to the expansion of Chinese cherry R2R3-CpMYBs. The duplicated gene pairs underwent purifying selection during evolution after duplication events. Phylogenetic relationships and transcript profiling revealed that CpMYB10 and CpMYB4 are involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Chinese cherry fruits. Expression patterns, transient overexpression and VIGS results confirmed that CpMYB10 promotes anthocyanin accumulation in the fruit skin, while CpMYB4 acts as a repressor, inhibiting anthocyanin biosynthesis of Chinese cherry. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive and systematic analysis of R2R3-MYB gene family in Chinese cherry and Rosaceae relatives, and identifies two regulators, CpMYB10 and CpMYB4, involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in Chinese cherry. These results help to develop and utilize the potential functions of anthocyanins in Chinese cherry.

Unveiling the influence of high hydrostatic pressure and protein interactions on the color and chemical stability of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside.

This study explored how high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and proteins (i.e., BSA and HSA) influence the color and chemical stability of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) at neutral pH. HHP treatments (100-500 MPa, 0-20 min, 25 °C) did not affect C3G content in phosphate buffer (PB) and MOPS buffer. However, significant color loss of C3G occurred in PB due to pressure-induced pH reduction (e.g., from 7 to 4.8 at 500 MPa), which accelerated the hydration of C3G, converting it from colored to colorless species. Consequently, MOPS buffer was employed for subsequent stability experiments to assess the impact of protein and HHP on the thermal, storage, and UV light stability of C3G. Initially, rapid color loss occurred during heating and storage, primarily due to the reversible hydration of C3G until equilibrium with colorless species was reached, followed by slower parallel degradation. HSA increased the fraction of colored species at equilibrium but accelerated thermal degradation, while BSA had minimal effects. UV light irradiation accelerated the degradation of C3G colored species, causing direct degradation without conversion to colorless species, a process further intensified by the presence of proteins. HHP exhibited a negligible effect on C3G stability regardless of protein addition. These findings provide insights into anthocyanin stability under HHP and protein interactions, contributing to the development of future formulation and processing strategies for improved stability and broader applications.

Enzymatic acylation of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside with aromatic and aliphatic acid methyl ester: Structure-stability relationships of acylated derivatives.

Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments, but they tend to be unstable in aqueous solutions. Modification of their molecular structure offers a viable approach to alter their intrinsic properties and enhance stability. Aromatic and aliphatic acid methyl esters were used as acyl donors in the enzymatic acylation of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), and their analysis was conducted using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). The highest conversion rate achieved was 96.41 % for cyanidin-3-O-(6″-feruloyl) glucoside. Comparative evaluations of stability revealed that aromatic acyl group-conjugated C3G exhibited superior stability enhancement compared with aliphatic acyl group derivatives. The stability of aliphatic C3G decreased with increasing carbon chain length. The molecular geometries of different anthocyanins were optimized, and energy level calculations using density functional theory (DFT) identified their sites with antioxidant activities. Computational calculations aligned with the in vitro antioxidant assay results. This study provided theoretical support for stabilizing anthocyanins and broadened the application of acylated anthocyanins as food colorants and nutrient supplements.

Preparation of thermochromic ink from anthocyanidin-encapsulated alginate nanoparticles for anticounterfeiting applications.

In order to make commercial products less vulnerable to counterfeiting, thermochromic inks have proven to be a viable authentication strategy. Herein, we developed a thermochromic ink for authentication by combining an anthocyanidin (ACYD) extract with alginate (ALG). To increase the anthocyanidin/alginate ink stability, a mordant (ferrous sulfate) was employed to tie up the anthocyanidin biomolecules with alginate. ACYD was extracted from red-cabbage and then immobilized into alginate to serve as an environmentally friendly spectroscopic probe. Thermochromic composite inks (ACYD@ALG) were made by adjusting the content of anthocyanidin. A homogenous blue film (608 nm) was printed on a paper surface and investigated by the CIE Lab coordinate system. The blue color transformed into reddish (477 nm) when heated from 35°C to 65°C. Nanoparticles (NPs) of anthocyanidin/mordant (ACYD/M) were examined for their size and morphology to indicate diameters of 80-90 nm, whereas the ACYD/M-encapsulated alginate nanoparticles showed diameters of 120-150 nm. Multiple analytical techniques were utilized to examine the printed papers. The mechanical and rheological performance of both stamped sheets and ink fluid were explored. The cytotoxicity and antimicrobial efficacy of ink (ACYD@ALG) were investigated.

Covalent Interactions of Anthocyanins with Proteins: Activity-Based Protein Profiling of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside.

Anthocyanins are common natural pigments with a variety of physiological activities. Traditional perspectives attribute their molecular mechanism to noncovalent interactions influencing signaling pathways. However, this ignores the nature of its benzopyrylium skeleton, which readily reacts with the electron-rich groups of proteins. Here, we modified cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) via activity-based protein profiling technology by our previous synthesis route and prepared the covalent binding probe (C3G-Probe) and the noncovalent photoaffinity probe (C3G-Diazirine). The properties of C3G's covalent binding to proteins were also discovered by comparing the labeling of the two probes to the whole HepG2 cell proteome. We further explored its target proteins and enriched pathways in HepG2 and HeLa cells. Western blot analysis further confirmed the covalent binding of C3G to four target proteins: insulin-degrading enzyme, metal cation symporter ZIP14, spermatid perinuclear RNA-binding protein, and Cystatin-B. Pathway analysis showed that covalent targets of C3G were concentrated in metabolic pathways and several ribonucleoprotein complexes that were also coenriched. The results of this study provide new insights into the interaction of the naturally active molecule C3G with proteins.

Effects of Anthocyanins on Cognition and Vascular Function: A Systematic Review.

SCOPE: Good vascular function is crucial for cerebral blood flow and cognitive performance. Diets high in anthocyanins have been shown to improve vascular function and are associated with improvements in cognition. This systematic review investigates randomized controlled trials examining the impact of anthocyanin intake on both cognition and vascular function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the 1486 studies identified through searching Ovid Medline and AMED, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and Scopus, 20 studies are selected which measured cognitive and vascular function. Overall, positive effects on verbal and working memory are observed, which are supported by studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging to demonstrate increased blood flow in brain regions related to these cognitive domains. However, effects of anthocyanins on blood pressure and markers of endothelial function are inconsistent. CONCLUSION: This systematic review provides evidence for a positive effect of anthocyanins on cognition and insight into the relevance of endothelial function. Anthocyanins are widely available and can be easily consumed in a range of different fruits, vegetables, and other products. Further studies should establish the optimal daily intake of anthocyanins for cardiovascular and cognitive health.