Detection of anthocyanins from elderberry juice in human urine

Anthocyanins are not only known because of their colouring properties but a lso for their strong antioxidative capacity. This study shows that anthocya nins from elderberry (Sambucus nigra) are excreted in human urine in low bu t detectable amounts. The total excreted amount after oral uptake of 500 mg of anthocyanins was between 5 and 14 mug when spray-dried elderberry juice was ingested without any other nutrients except water. Additionally, withi n the small group of seven persons studied, two subgroups could be identifi ed that showed significant differences in the excretion kinetics of the cya nidin derivatives. Within Ih the first anthocyanins were excreted, with a m aximum after 3-4 h and a decrease thereafter. The results indicate that ant hocyanins from elderberry are incorporated and excreted in urine in their i ntact glycosidic forms. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.