Characterization and Quantification of Anthocyanins in Red Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.)

Abstract

Red-fleshed fruit occur in a small number of distantly related taxa in different sections of the genus Actinidia (kiwifruit). We describe and identify the anthocyanin profile of fruit of several Actinidia species. Differences in the relative amounts of cyanidin- and delphinidin-based anthocyanins determine whether the fruit appear red or purple. Cyanidin derivatives have been found in all Actinidia species that contain anthocyanins, whereas delphinidin derivatives are limited to two taxa: A. melanandra and A. arguta var. purpurea . The fruit of these not only contain a wider range of anthocyanins, but they also have greater concentrations. Anthocyanins of most Actinidia species are usually conjugated with either xylosyl-galactose or galactose, whereas A. deliciosa anthocyanins are conjugated with glucose and galactose.

Genetics of Pigment Biosynthesis and Degradation

“…purpurea. Red pigmentation can be distributed across the fruit or restricted to specific tissues, such as in the skin as a blush or in only a portion of the pericarp, usually in the locules of the fruit so forming a star shaped pattern (Montefiori et al 2009a). …”

“…Delphinidin derivatives have also been isolated from fruit of A. melanandra and the fruit of the A. arguta genotypes previously classified as A. arguta var. purpurea, which also have higher anthocyanin concentration (Montefiori et al 2009a). The pigment profiles described in the various species suggests that multiple steps and branches of the pathway are expressed and functional to differing degrees in the different species.…”

Extracts of Actinidia arguta stems inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory responses through nuclear factor–κB pathway in Raw 264.7 cells

“…In particular, A. arguta can be found in the area of northeastern Asia including Siberia, Korea, Japan, and northern China [9]. This plant produces sweet, small, and hairless fruits, which are called "hardy kiwifruits [20]." The fruits of A. arguta have been used ethnomedically to alleviate the symptoms related to fever, thirst, jaundice, and dyspepsia.…”

Inhibitory effect of Actinidia arguta on mutagenesis, inflammation and two-stage mouse skin tumorigenesis

“…Actinidia arguta , known as sarunashi in Japan and hardy kiwi in English name, is a vine tree native to east-Asia, including Japan [9], that produces small fruit consumed in the form of fresh fruit and jam. The fruit is rich in anthocyanins [10], catechins [11], vitamin C [12], chlorophyll, beta-carotene [13] and other polyphenols [14, 15]. Antioxidant activity of A. arguta has been reported in recent studies [16–18], and components in A. arguta have been reported to possess anti-allergic activity [19–21].…”