In this study, anthocyanin glycosides from nine cultivars of highbush blueberries grown in Korea were characterized using UPLC-DAD-QToF/MS and UPLC-Qtrap-MS/MS. A total of twenty-two derivatives were identified, consisting of mono-glycosides and acetyl-glycosides attached to aglycones, such as cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin. Among them, seven acetylated glycosides were tentatively determined by comparing the related authentic standards and previous reports and presented mass fragmentation, in which the acetyl group remained as the form attached to the sugar without de-esterification in positive ionization mode. The mid-season cultivar ‘New Hanover’ showed the highest total anthocyanin content (1011.7 mg/100 g dry weight) with predominant malvidin and delphinidin glycosides. Particularly, the ‘Patriot’ (early season) recorded the highest proportion of acetylated glycosides (19.7%). Multivariate analysis showed a distinct separation between early and mid-seasons with Draper. Especially, delphinidin 3-O-galactoside (VIP = 1.94) was identified as a marker for mid-season, and malvidin 3-O-glucoside (VIP = 1.79) was identified as a marker for early season. These comprehensive anthocyanin profiles of Korean blueberries will serve as fundamental data for breeding superior cultivars, evaluating and developing related products as well as clinical and metabolomic research.

Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, belonging to the Araliaceae family, is used as medicinal herbs and dietary supplements, and can be consumed as seasoned vegetables, salads, pickles, functional tea, and wine. Their edible parts (shoots, leaves, fruis, and stems) are considered as a highly valuable food source with health benefits. The comparison of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of functional compounds in these plant parts is still limited. This study characterized phenolic compounds and triterpenoid saponins in the shoots, leaves, fruits, and stems using UPLC-MS and multivariate analyses. 116 compounds were investigated, with 36 compounds reported for the first time in the Acanthopanax genus. The contents of 19 target compounds including chiisanoside and quercetin 3-O-glucuronide were compared, and 57 chemical markers were identified through PLS-DA analysis. 3,4-Seco-lupane-type saponins were mainly found in the shoots and leaves, whereas oleanane-type saponins were mainly present in the stems and fruits. Lignans were identified as chemical markers in the stems, while feruloylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoids (taxifolin and cyanidin glycosides) were distinctively found in the fruits. These findings provide valuable insight into phytochemical profile of the species, which may be utilized in functional food development, rapid differentiation from other plants, and applications in related fields.

In this study, anthocyanin glycosides from nine cultivars of highbush blueberries grown in Korea were characterized using UPLC-DAD-QToF/MS and UPLC-Qtrap-MS/MS. A total of twenty-two derivatives were identified, consisting of mono-glycosides with galactose, glucose, arabinose, acetyl-galactose, or acetyl-glucose moieties attached to aglycones such as cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin. Among them, seven acetylated glycosides were tentatively determined by comparing the related authentic standards and previous reports, and presented mass fragmentation in which the acetyl group remained as form attached to the sugar without deesterification in positive ionization mode. The mid-season cultivar ‘New Hanover’ showed the highest total anthocyanin content (1011.7 mg/100 g dry weight) with predominant malvidin and delphinidin glycosides. Particularly, the ‘Patriot’ (early-season) recorded the highest proportion of acetylated glycosides (19.7%). These detailed anthocyanin profiles will be supported as fundamental data for the development of superior cultivars and functional blueberry-based products as well as the further research of anthocyanin changes by cultivars, harvest time, cultivated methods, storage conditions, etc..