What are carotenoids and anthocyanins?

Anthocyanins and carotenoids are two groups of plant pigments with different chemical structures. They are present in fruits and vegetables and give specific coloration and may also have health-promoting effects.

What are anthocyanins fruits?

Anthocyanins are colored water-soluble pigments belonging to the phenolic group. The pigments are in glycosylated forms. Anthocyanins responsible for the colors, red, purple, and blue, are in fruits and vegetables. Berries, currants, grapes, and some tropical fruits have high anthocyanins content.

What is the function of the anthocyanins in a fruit?

Anthocyanins are a group of polyphenolic pigments that are ubiquitously found in the plant kingdom. In plants, anthocyanins play a role not only in reproduction, by attracting pollinators and seed dispersers, but also in protection against various abiotic and biotic stresses.

What is the difference between carotenoids and flavonoids?

Flavonoids are phenolic naturally occurring plant material usually bound to sugar as glycosides. Carotenoids are organic pigments that are found in the chloroplasts and chloroplasts of plants and some other photosynthetic organisms, including some bacteria and some fungi.

Why are anthocyanins good antioxidants?

Anthocyanins have antioxidant properties, meaning that they fight damaging compounds called free radicals. When free radicals accumulate in your body, they cause oxidative stress.

How is anthocyanin formed?

Anthocyanins are frequently produced when photo-synthetic activity at the site of eventual pigmentation is diminished through seasonal changes or various kinds of injuries to the plant (mechanical, fungus disease, etc.).

What food is highest in anthocyanins?

Red, purple, and blue fruits and vegetables typically boast the highest amount of anthocyanins….Anthocyanin-containing foods

  • Red raspberries: 5–38 mg.
  • Black grapes: 3–39 mg.
  • Plums: 5–34 mg.
  • Blueberries: 11–26 mg.
  • Black beans: 1–15 mg.
  • Red currants: 2–11 mg.
  • Red wine: 4–10 mg.
  • Red onions: 7 mg.

What color is carotene?

Carotenes can be found in many dark green and yellow leafy vegetables and appear as fat soluble pigments, while β-carotene can be found in yellow, orange and red colored fruits and vegetables [44].