Detection and Identification of Anthocyanins in Human Plasma Following Ingestion of a Strawberry Beverage

Strawberry fruits are a valuable source of anthocyanins reported to have antioxidant/anti‐inflammatory properties. We and others have identified and quantified the anthocyanins in strawberries; however, the fate of these compounds in the human body after consumption is not completely known. The aim of this study was to develop an LC‐MS/MS method to determine the anthocyanins and their metabolites in human plasma after ingestion of a beverage containing freeze‐dried strawberries. Plasma from 24 subjects was collected every 30 to 60 min for 6 h after ingestion of a strawberry or placebo beverage. Plasma samples were acidified with formic acid, and deproteinized with acetonitrile. A portion of each sample was evaporated under nitrogen, dissolved in mobile phase, and analyzed by LC‐MS/MS. Numerous compounds were identified, of which pelargonidin (Plg)‐sulfate, and Plg‐3‐glucoside, were the most abundant. Plg compounds increased 2–5 fold in plasma after consuming the strawberry beverage. No changes were evident after placebo beverage. Concentration and Time maximum for Plg‐sulfate and Plg‐glucoside were 138.62 +/−6.85 and 13.83 +/−1.1 at 120 min, respectively. This work represents first reported attempt to create a profile of anthocyanins and their metabolites in plasma after ingestion of strawberry using LC‐MS/MS, and provides valuable information to understand the bioactivity of those compounds.