Characterization and Quantitation of Anthocyanins in Purple-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes Cultivated in Korea by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

The characterization and quantitative analysis of anthocyanins in four purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties (Borami, Mokpo 62, Shinzami, and Zami) cultivated in Korea were carried out by HPLC/diode array detector (DAD), HPLC-TOF/MS, and HPLC-MS/MS analyses. For the identification of anthocyanins, molecular formulas were first calculated by using the exact mass data of the molecular ions ([M](+)). The patterns of isotope ions of M+ were also monitored to confirm the assignment of the molecular formulas. HPLC-MS2 analysis was further conducted for elucidating their molecular structures. Twenty-seven different anthocyanins were tentatively identified in the sweet potatoes. Six of them are the first reported in sweet potatoes roots. The quantity and profiles of anthocyanins in sweet potatoes varied greatly with variety. Borami was found, for the first time, to be a rare sweet potato variety with an exceptionally high quantity of pelargonidin-based anthocyanins.