Analysis of Anthocyanins in Plasma for Determination of their Bioavailability

Anthocyanins show a great potential as natural food antioxidants. This study tried to identify the anthocyanins from elderberry (Sambucus nigra) in human blood plasma and to determine their bioavailability in humans. Using a restricted access phase for removal of the proteins and enrichment of the anthocyanins it was possible to analyse the substances in plasma. From the four known anthocyanins present in elderberry the two main components (cyanidin-3- O -glucoside and cyanidin 3- O -sambubioside) could be analysed quantitatively. Using a high-fat diet, it could be shown that the anthocyanins appear 2 h after ingestion and reach a maximum value 1 later. Within a few hours the anthocyanins are eliminated from the plasma. The amount of anthocyanins found in the plasma is well below 1% of the ingested substances.