Superoxideanion-scavenging activity (SOSA) of crude pigments obtained from 18 anthocyanincontaining plants was measured. Electron spin resonance (ESR) and colorimetric method using highly water-soluble tetrazolium salt WST-1 (WST-1 method) were used for measuring SOSA. Consequently, crude pigments from purple pods of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and tuber of red potato (Solanum spp.) were potent scavengers with >60% inhibition at a level of 0.1mg/ml. Crude samples extracted from red potato and purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas cv. Ayamurasaki) also showed high activity (>70% inhibition). In order to find active components, major anthocyanins were prepared from those plants, and then their SOSA were measured.PSl derived from P. sativum L. possessed the most potent activity as shown by SOD equivalent activity of 137units/mg. In addition, delphinidinor cyanidin-based anthocyanins showed relatively high SOSA. SOSA of anthocyanins changed by acylation with caffeic acid. It was also observed that the activity of acylated anthocyanins varied depending on the activity of each corresponding deacylated one.
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