Fruit Anthocyanins in Three Sections of Prunus (Rosaceae)

Abstract Fruit anthocyanins (ACY) of eight Prunus spp. representing two subgenera (subg.) and three sections (sect.) were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fruit of P. angustifolia Marsh., P. hortulana Bailey, and P. maritima Marsh. all North American members of subg. Prunus sect. Prunocerasus , were qualitatively identical in ACY composition, containing cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. Fruit of P. cerasifera Ehrh. and P. spinosa L., both Eurasian members of subg. Prunus sect. Prunus , contained small amounts of peonidin-3-gIuco-side and peonidin-3-rutinoside, in addition to the 3-glucoside and 3-rutinoside of cyanidin. Fruit of P. besseyi Bailey and P. pumila L. (subg. Lithocerasus sect. Microcerasus ) contained cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. Fruit of P. pumila also contained trace amounts of peonidin-3-rutinoside. Fruit of P. japonica Thunb., a Chinese member of subg. Lithocerasus sect. Microcerasus , showed a complex ACY profile distinct from P. besseyi and P. pumila .