Microwave assisted extraction of anthocyanins from grape skins

A new method for the analysis of anthocyanins in grapes based on a systematic study of the extractability of eleven anthocyanins from grapes has been developed. Microwave assisted extraction was applied as a prior stage to the chromatographic determination of anthocyanins in the extracts. The stability of anthocyanins under the extraction conditions was checked using a standardised extract from grape skins. Temperatures from 50 °C up to 150 °C were evaluated. A fractional factorial experimental design was developed to analyse the influence on the extraction process of six different extraction variables: solvent (mixtures of methanol and water), stirring, extraction temperature, extraction time, microwave power and extraction volume. The extraction solvent was the most important variable for the recovery of most anthocyanins from grapes. Finally, the influence of the extraction time was also studied. With this new method, anthocyanins can be extracted from grapes in 5 min, using 100 °C as extraction temperature and 40% methanol in water as the extraction solvent. Repeatability and reproducibility were also checked, the resulting RSDs (n = 9) were lower than 7% for glucosides, the main components, and lower than 9% for the acyl derivatives, the compounds found in the lowest concentrations.