Buffering colour fluctuation of purple sweet potato anthocyanins to acidity variation by surfactants

Anthocyanins are intriguing natural pigments with beneficial bioactivities and their colour is extremely susceptible to acidity variation. Minimisation of colour fluctuation is essential to maintain quality consistency in food industry. A new strategy employing surfactants to mimic encapsulation was attempted with typical anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants and proved effective although the traditional copigmentation method was inactive. The exceptional colour fluctuation buffering effect of anionic surfactants especially sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) was revealed and then carefully analysed by colorimetric and spectroscopic methods. The outstanding activity of SDS presumably resulted from effective shielding of anthocyanins from external acidity through strong interaction with the positively charged flavylium cations owing to its anionic nature. These results suggest SDS is a valuable additive for buffering colour fluctuation of anthocyanins. The strategy of surfactant will be useful for buffering colour fluctuation of natural colourants.