Guideline for High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography Detection of Anthocyanins

ABSTRACT

Anthocyanins, as water‐soluble natural pigments widely present in plants, have various biological activities such as antioxidation and anti‐inflammatory, and are widely used in the fields of food, cosmetics, and medicine. However, because of the presence of unstable phenolic hydroxyl groups in their structure, they are prone to degradation due to environmental factors, which poses challenges for detection. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is currently the most commonly used method for detecting anthocyanins. This paper systematically reviews the testing standards for anthocyanins in China, the United States, and Europe, including the determination methods of proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins in health foods and plant‐based foods, and elaborates on sample pretreatment, standard preparation, chromatographic conditions, and quantitative methods. At the same time, the principle of HPLC detection of anthocyanins is analyzed in depth, and the required instruments, reagents, and specific operation steps are introduced. This guide provides a comprehensive methodological reference for the precise detection of anthocyanins and helps promote their research and application in various fields.