Pressurized solvent extraction and monolithic column-HPLC/DAD analysis of anthocyanins in red cabbage

Abstract

The aim of this work was to develop a fast method for extraction and analysis of anthocyanins in red cabbage. Pressurized hot water containing 5% of ethanol was used as an extremely efficient extraction solvent. HPLC/DAD with a monolithic column was used to accomplish a fast analysis-24 anthocyanin peaks within 18min. Statistical design was used to optimize the studied extraction parameters: temperature (80-120 degrees C); sample amount (1-3g); extraction time (6-11min); concentration of formic acid in the extraction solvent (0-5vol.%). The best extraction conditions for a majority of the anthocyanin peaks were 2.5g of sample, 99 degrees C (at 50bar), 7min of extraction and a solvent composition of water/ethanol/formic acid (94/5/1, v/v/v).