A rapid validated UHPLC-PDA method for anthocyanins quantification from Euterpe oleracea fruits

Commercialization of Euterpe oleracea fruit has increased because of its abundance in anthocyanins [1]. Characterizations of these compounds are important for the food industry. The aim is to validate an UHPLC-PDA method for major anthocyanins quantification in this fruit after fast extraction procedures and samples preparation. Fruits were harvested in Abaetetuba (Brazil) and extracted sequencially by EtOAc, MeOH and MeOH 50% all at 0.1% HCl. A HSS C18 column (1.8µm) was used with a gradient elution of ACN and 5% HCOOH. Total error and accuracy profiles were used as validation criteria. A first EtOAc extraction removes the lipophilic compounds and allows an easier extraction by MeOH and quantification of anthocyanins in this extract. It was found to be faster (17min) that HPLC-UV methods [2]. Calibration in the matrix was found to be more accurate than calibration without matrix. Trueness (<6.76% relative bias), repeatability (<4.6% RSD), intermediate precision (<5.3% RSD), selectivity (by UHPLC-ESI⁺-HRMS), response function and linearity for cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside were evaluated. The concentration range validated was 1 to 48µg/mL for both compounds.

[1] M. Heinrich et al., Phytochem. Lett. 4 (2011) 10. [2] L. A. Pacheco-Palencia et al., Food Chem. 115 (2009) 1199