Identification of anthocyanins in berries by narrow-bore high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization detection

Qualitative determination of anthocyanins in extracts of red fruits by narr ow-bore HPLC/ESI-MS was carried out. This method was used to investigate an thocyanin contents of black bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), blackberry ( Rubus sp.), and mulberry (Morus nigra). An ultraviolet diode array and a ma ss spectrometer with ESI source were used for detection. Anthocyanin identi fications were made by using retention time data and UV-vis and mass spectr a and comparing them with those of commercially available standard compound s. The method allowed the identification of fourteen anthocyanins in black bilberry extract, six anthocyanins in blackberry extract, and five anthocya nins in mulberry extract.