Anthocyanins

= Definition: Anthocyanin pigments are water soluble and responsible for the red, purple , and blue colors of many fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, and flowers. =

(URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/08...081409.htm) = = Examples of Anthocyanin's in vegetables: red cabbage, eggplant skin, blueberry, strawberry (and most other berries), grape skin and radish.

Basic Structure found in over 500 anthocyanins: **flavylium ion**

Acid : such as lemon juice intesifies the color. Often acids are added last because they firm the vegetables. Alkaline : Changes color from red to blue to green (opposite of acid reaction). This color change in undesirable, so it is not reccomended cooking anthocyanins in an alkaline (Brown 273).
 * When Cooking**: Heating can effect color! We know that this pigment is water soluble from the lab. When heated, the cells burst leeching the water soluble anthocyanin pigment out into the water. This is what produced the "cabbage juice" that we saw.

__Normal Red Cabbage In Acid (Vinager) : Dull and light pink In Alkaline (baking soda): turns a bright blue__


View this transformation click the youtube video below:

media type="youtube" key="QgM2d0W2zwc" height="429" width="528" Reference: Youtube.com

Click on the link below to view health benefits of eating anthocyanins through berries
 * [|Berry Protection]

(URL: //http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullsto...08789.html)//



==== Special Traits: Anthocyanins' special color plays a large role in pollination. The red- blue pigments reflect some light waves that are attractive to insects. Also this reflective action helps protect the plant's DNA from harmful UV rays. ==== ====﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ====



100 g food ||
 * Foodstuff || Anthocyanin in mg per
 * aubergine (egg plant) || 750 ||
 * black currant || 130-400 ||
 * blackberry || 83-326 ||
 * blueberry || 25-497 ||
 * cherry || 350-400 ||
 * chokeberry || 200-1000 ||
 * cranberry || 60-200 ||
 * elderberry || 450 ||
 * orange || ~200 ||
 * radish || 11-60 ||
 * raspberry || 10-60 ||
 * red currant || 80-420 ||
 * red grape || 30-750 ||
 * red onions || 7-21 ||
 * red wine || 24-35 ||
 * strawberry || 15-35 ||

Make anthocyanins part of your daily diet!



Make the Pomegranate Part of Your Daily Diet!
 * Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over salads, or desserts.
 * Use pomegranate extract in marinades or as a glaze for poultry.
 * Use pomegranate seeds as a garnish on rice dishes, potatoes, and applesauce.
 * Eat pomegranate seeds by the handful — like tiny berries.
 * Top waffles, pancakes, or ice cream sundaes with pomegranates seeds

A tasty recipe to try with pomegranate in it:

=Fall Festival Fruit Salad﻿ =

Serves 4. Each serving equals three 5 A Day servings

Source: Produce for Better Health Ingredients: 4 cups of spinach leaves, chopped 1 red apple, cored and thinly sliced ¼ lb grapes 1 cantaloupe, or other melon, seeded, pared and cut into chunks ½ cup pomegranate seeds Core, rinse, and thoroughly drain lettuce. Using a stainless steel knife, cut lettuce into bite-size chunks. Arrange apple slices, grape clusters, and melon wedges on lettuce. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over top. Chill. When ready to serve, drizzle citrus dressing over all. Citrus Dressing ½ cup plain yogurt ¼ cup unsweetened orange juice concentrate, thawed Combine yogurt and orange juice concentrate. Whip until smooth. Makes about 1 cup. Nutritional Analysis: Calories 186, Fat 2g, Calories from Fat 8%, Cholesterol 2mg, Fiber 4g, Sodium 55mg.

Images References:  [] [] []  []  []  [] [] [] [] Video reference: "YouTube - CabbageAlkaline." //YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.// Web. 10 Feb. 2011. . 

Text references:

 NA. "Berries May Offer Sweet Protection Against Parkinson's Disease: MedlinePlus." //National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health//. 14 Feb. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. .

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