LC-DAD-ESI/MS(n) determination of direct condensation flavanol-anthocyanin adducts in pressure extracted pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice, obtained by pressure extraction of the whole fruit, has been analyzed for its flavanol-anthocyanin adduct content using reversed-phase liquid chromatography with diode array detection, coupled to mass spectrometry (ion trap) with electrospray ionization (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n)), operating in positive ion mode. A total of 35 dimers have been detected, consisting of mono- and disubstituted hexoside derivatives of the adducts between the flavan-3-ols (epi)gallocatechin, (epi)catechin and (epi)afzelechin and the anthocyanidins delphinidin, cyanidin and pelargonidin. In addition, evidence is given for the presence of additional anthocyanin-flavanol adducts in this juice.