Dynamic changes of anthocyanins during 'Ziyan' tea wine processing.

In this study, the dynamic changes of different anthocyanins in the processing of 'Ziyan' tea wine were investigated quantitatively. Results showed that six types of anthocyanins, namely petunidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, delphinidin, cyanidin and peonidin, as well as two co-pigmented substances, procyanidins and flavonoids, were detected in 'Ziyan' tea wine. As fermentation proceeded, the contents of petunidin, pelargonidin, delphinidin, cyanidin and peonidin decreased. Among them, petunidin, peonidin and pelargonidin showed a tendency of decreasing first, then increasing and finally decreasing, whereas delphinidin and cyanidin continued to decrease during fermentation. Variation trend of procyanidins and flavonoids was consistent with those of petunidin. Furthermore, metabolism of delphinidin, cyanidin and pelargonidin were main pathways responsible for the anthocyanin changes during 'Ziyan' tea wine processing. These findings suggested that the color of 'Ziyan' tea wine was achieved by the combination of various anthocyanins in different ratios and the co-pigmentation of procyanidins and flavonoids.