Search

3',5'-Cyclic nucleotides play a fundamental role in modern biochemical processes and have been suggested to have played a central role at the origin of terrestrial life. In this work, we suggest that a formamide-based systems chemistry might account for their availability on the early Earth. In particular, we demonstrate that in a liquid formamide environment at elevated temperatures 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides are obtained in good yield and selectivity upon intramolecular cyclization of 5'-phosphorylated nucleosides in the presence of carbodiimides., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among nosocomial pathogens. In respiratory infections, P. aeruginosa acts not only as a single player but also collaborates with the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus . This study introduced a QS molecule portfolio as a potential new biomarker that affects the secretion of virulence factors and biofilm formation. The quantitative levels of QS molecules, including 3-o-C12-HSL, 3-o-C8-HSL, C4-HSL, C6-HSL, HHQ, PQS, and PYO, measured using mass spectrometry in a monoculture, indicated metabolic changes during the transition from planktonic to sessile cells. In the co-cultures with A. fumigatus , the profile of abundant QS molecules was reduced to 3-o-C12-HSL, C4-HSL, PQS, and PYO. A decrease in C4-HSL by 50% to 170.6 ± 11.8 ng/mL and an increase 3-o-C12-HSL by 30% up to 784.4 ± 0.6 ng/mL were detected at the stage of the coverage of the hyphae with bacteria. Using scanning electron microscopy, we showed the morphological stages of the P. aeruginosa biofilm, such as cell aggregates, maturated biofilm, and cell dispersion. qPCR quantification of the genome equivalents of both microorganisms suggested that they exhibited an interplay strategy rather than antagonism. This is the first study demonstrating the quantitative growth-dependent appearance of QS molecule secretion in a monoculture of P. aeruginosa and a co-culture with A. fumigatus.

Lipid nitroalkenes - nitro-fatty acids (NO 2 -FAs) are formed in vivo via the interaction of reactive nitrogen species with unsaturated fatty acids. The resulting electrophilic NO 2 -FAs play an important role in redox homeostasis and cellular stress response. This study investigated the physicochemical properties and reactivity of two NO 2 -FAs: 9/10-nitrooleic acid (1) and its newly prepared 1-monoacyl ester, (E)-2,3-hydroxypropyl 9/10-nitrooctadec-9-enoate (2), both synthesized by a direct radical nitration approach. Compounds 1 and 2 were investigated in an aqueous medium and after incorporation into lipid nanoparticles prepared from 1-monoolein, cubosomes 1@CUB and 2@CUB. Using an electrochemical analysis and LC-MS, free 1 and 2 were found to be unstable under acidic conditions, and their degradation occurred in an aqueous environment within a few minutes or hours. This degradation was associated with the production of the NO radical, as confirmed by fluorescence assay. In contrast, preparations 1@CUB and 2@CUB exhibited a significant increase in the stability of the loaded 1 and 2 up to several days to weeks. In addition to experimental data, density functional theory-based calculation results on the electronic structure and structural variability (open and closed configuration) of 1 and 2 were obtained. Finally, experiments with a human HaCaT keratinocyte cell line demonstrated the ability of 1@CUB and 2@CUB to penetrate through the cytoplasmic membrane and modulate cellular pathways, which was exemplified by the Keap1 protein level monitoring. Free 1 and 2 and the cubosomes prepared from them showed cytotoxic effect on HaCaT cells with IC 50 values ranging from 1 to 8 μM after 24 h. The further development of cubosomal preparations with embedded electrophilic NO 2 -FAs may not only contribute to the field of fundamental research, but also to their application using an optimized lipid delivery vehicle., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

2,3-Dehydrosilybin A and 2,3-dehydrosilybin B are a pair of enantiomers formed by the oxidation of the natural flavonolignans silybin A and silybin B, respectively. However, the antioxidant activity of 2,3-dehydrosilybin molecules is much stronger than that of their precursors. Here, we investigated the biotransformation of pure 2,3-dehydrosilybin A and 2,3-dehydrosilybin B in isolated human hepatocytes, and we also aimed to identify human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) and sulfotransferases (SULTs) with activity toward their respective enantiomers. After incubation with hepatocytes, both 2,3-dehydrosilybin A and 2,3-dehydrosilybin B were converted to hydroxyl derivatives, methylated hydroxyl derivatives, methyl derivatives, sulfates, and glucuronides. The products of direct conjugations predominated over those of oxidative metabolism, and glucuronides were the most abundant metabolites. Furthermore, we found that recombinant human UGTs 1A1, 1A3, 1A7, 1A8, 1A9, and 1A10 were capable of catalyzing the glucuronidation of both 2,3-dehydrosilybin A and 2,3-dehydrosilybin B. UGTs 1A1 and 1A7 showed the highest activity toward 2,3-dehydrosilybin A, and UGT1A9 showed the highest activity toward 2,3-dehydrosilybin B. The sulfation of 2,3-dehydrosilybin A and B was catalyzed by SULTs 1A1*1, 1A1*2, 1A2, 1A3, 1B1, 1C2, 1C4, and 1E1, of which SULT1A3 exhibited the highest activity toward both enantiomers. We conclude that 2,3-dehydrosilybin A and B are preferentially metabolized by conjugation reactions, and that several human UGT and SULT enzymes may play a role in these conjugations.

Natural phenolic compounds are known to be metabolized by phase II metabolic reactions. In this study, we examined the in vitro sulfation of the main constituents of silymarin, an herbal remedy produced from the fruits of the milk thistle. The study focused on major flavonolignan constituents, including silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silychristin, and silydianin, as well as the flavonoid taxifolin. Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), individual flavonolignans and taxifolin were found to be sulfated by human liver and human intestinal cytosols. Moreover, experiments with recombinant enzymes revealed that human sulfotransferases (SULTs) 1A1*1, 1A1*2, 1A2, 1A3, 1B1, 1C4, and 1E1 catalyzed the sulfation of all of the tested compounds, with the exception of silydianin, which was not sulfated by SULT1B1 and SULT1C4. The sulfation products detected were monosulfates, of which some of the major ones were identified as silybin A 20- O -sulfate, silybin B 20- O -sulfate, and isosilybin A 20- O -sulfate. Further, we also observed the sulfation of the tested compounds when they were tested in the silymarin mixture. Sulfates of flavonolignans and of taxifolin were produced by incubating silymarin with all of the above SULT enzymes, with human liver and intestinal cytosols, and also with human hepatocytes, even though the spectrum and amount of the sulfates varied among the metabolic models. Considering our results and the expression patterns of human sulfotransferases in metabolic tissues, we conclude that flavonolignans and taxifolin can potentially undergo both intestinal and hepatic sulfation, and that SULTs 1A1, 1A3, 1B1, and 1E1 could be involved in the biotransformation of the constituents of silymarin.

Silybum marianum (milk thistle) is a medicinal plant used for producing the hepatoprotective remedy silymarin. Its main bioactive constituents, including silybin and related flavonolignans, can be metabolized directly by phase II conjugation reactions. This study was designed to identify UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) involved in the glucuronidation of six silymarin flavonolignans, namely silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silychristin, and silydianin. UHPLC-MS analyses showed that all of the tested compounds, both individually and in silymarin, were glucuronidated by human liver microsomes, and that glucuronidation was the main metabolic transformation in human hepatocytes. Further, each compound was glucuronidated by multiple recombinant human UGT enzymes. UGTs 1A1, 1A3, 1A8 and 1A9 were able to conjugate all of the tested flavonolignans, and some of them were also metabolized by UGTs 1A6, 1A7, 1A10, 2B7 and 2B15. In contrast, no glucuronides were produced by UGTs 1A4, 2B4, 2B10 and 2B17. With silymarin, we found that UGT1A1 and, to a lesser extent UGT1A9, were primarily responsible for the glucuronidation of the flavonolignan constituents. It is concluded that the metabolism of silymarin flavonolignans may involve multiple UGT enzymes, of which UGT1A1 appears to play the major role in the glucuronidation. These results may be relevant for future research on the metabolism of flavonolignans in humans., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Flavonolignans occur typically in Silybum marianum (milk thistle) fruit extract, silymarin, which contains silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, silydianin, and their 2,3-dehydroderivatives, together with other minor flavonoids and a polymeric phenolic fraction. Biotransformation of individual silymarin components by human microbiota was studied ex vivo, using batch incubations inoculated by fecal slurry. Samples at selected time points were analyzed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry. The initial experiment using a concentration of 200 mg/L showed that flavonolignans are resistant to the metabolic action of intestinal microbiota. At the lower concentration of 10 mg/L, biotransformation of flavonolignans was much slower than that of taxifolin, which was completely degraded after 16 h. While silybin, isosilybin, and 2,3-dehydrosilybin underwent mostly demethylation, silychristin was predominantly reduced. Silydianin, 2,3-dehydrosilychristin and 2,3-dehydrosilydianin were reduced, as well, and decarbonylation and cysteine conjugation proceeded. No low-molecular-weight phenolic metabolites were detected for any of the compounds tested. Strong inter-individual differences in the biotransformation profile were observed among the four fecal-material donors. In conclusion, the flavonolignans, especially at higher (pharmacological) doses, are relatively resistant to biotransformation by gut microbiota, which, however, depends strongly on the individual structures of these isomeric compounds, but also on the stool donor.

The single molecule magnet (SMM) bis(phthalocyaninato)terbium(iii) (TbPc2) has received significant and increasing attention as an exemplar system for realizing molecule-based spin electronics. Attaining higher nuclearity via multi-decker TbPc systems has remained an outstanding challenge, as known examples of Tb2Pc3 systems are only those containing Pc rings with substituents (e.g. alkyl, alkoxyl). Here we report on the spontaneous formation of Tb2Pc3 species from TbPc2 precursors via sublimation in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) onto an Ag(111) surface. The presence of Tb2Pc3 molecules on the surface are inspected using scanning probe microscopy with submolecular resolution supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and additional chemical analysis. We observe the selective presence of a Kondo resonance (30 K) in the Tb2Pc3 species, that we attribute to differences in the orientation of the internal molecular ligands. Formation of triple-decker complexes offers new possibilities to study and control magnetic interactions not accessible with standard TbPc2 molecules.

This study examined the in vitro biotransformation of eight structurally related flavonolignans, namely silybin, 2,3-dehydrosilybin, silychristin, 2,3-dehydrosilychristin, silydianin, 2,3-dehydrosilydianin, isosilybin A and isosilybin B. The metabolic transformations were performed using primary cultures of human hepatocytes and recombinant human cytochromes P450 (CYPs 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4). The metabolites produced were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. We found that each of the tested compounds was metabolized in vitro by one or more CYP enzymes, which catalyzed O-demethylation, hydroxylation, hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. In human hepatocytes, silybin, 2,3-dehydrosilybin, silychristin, 2,3-dehydrosilychristin, and isosilybins A and B were directly conjugated by sulfation or glucuronidation. Moreover, isosilybin A was also converted to a methyl derivative, while isosilybin B was hydroxylated and methylated. Silydianin and 2,3-dehydrosilydianin were found to undergo hydrogenation and/or glucuronidation. In addition, 2,3-dehydrosilydianin was found to be metabolically the least stable flavonolignan in human hepatocytes, and its main metabolite was a cleavage product corresponding to a loss of CO. We conclude that the hepatic biotransformation of flavonolignans primarily involves the phase II conjugation reactions, however in some cases the phase I reactions may also occur. These results are highly relevant for research focused on flavonolignan metabolism and pharmacology., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The natural flavonoid quercetin is known to activate the transcription factor Nrf2, which regulates the expression of cytoprotective enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). In this study, a novel semisynthetic flavonoid 7-O-galloylquercetin (or quercetin-7-gallate, 3) was prepared by direct galloylation of quercetin, and its effect on the Nrf2 pathway was examined. A luciferase reporter assay showed that 7-O-galloylquercetin, like quercetin, significantly activated transcription via the antioxidant response element in a stably transfected human AREc32 reporter cell line. In addition, 7-O-galloylquercetin caused the accumulation of Nrf2 and induced the expression of HO-1 at both the mRNA and protein levels in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. The induction of HO-1 by 7-O-galloylquercetin was significantly suppressed by N-acetyl-l-cysteine and SB203580, indicating the involvement of reactive oxygen species and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity, respectively. HPLC/MS analyses also showed that 7-O-galloylquercetin was not degalloylated to quercetin, but it was conjugated with glucuronic acid and/or methylated in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, 7-O-galloylquercetin was found to increase the protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1, and also the activity of NQO1 in murine hepatoma Hepa1c1c7 cells. Taken together, we conclude that 7-O-galloylquercetin increases Nrf2 activity and induces Nrf2-dependent gene expression in RAW264.7 and Hepa1c1c7 cells., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Quercetin 3'-O-sulfate is one of the main metabolites of the natural flavonoid quercetin in humans. This study was designed to prepare quercetin 3'-O-sulfate (1), isoquercitrin 4'-O-sulfate (2) and taxifolin 4'-O-sulfate (3) by the sulfation of quercetin, isoquercitrin (quercetin 3-O-glucoside) and taxifolin (2,3-dihydroquercetin) using the arylsulfate sulfotransferase from Desulfitobacterium hafniense, and to examine the effect of sulfation on selected biological properties of the flavonoids tested. We found that flavonoid sulfates 1-3 were weaker DPPH radical scavengers than the corresponding nonsulfated flavonoids, and that 1-3, unlike quercetin, did not induce the expression of either heme oxygenase-1 in RAW264.7 cells or cytochrome P450 1A1 in HepG2 cells. In both cell types, the cell uptake of compounds 1-3 was much lower than that of quercetin, but comparable to that of the glycoside isoquercitrin. Moreover, HPLC/MS metabolic profiling in HepG2 cells showed that flavonoid sulfates 1-3 were metabolized to a limited extent compared to the nonsulfated compounds. We conclude that sulfation of the tested flavonoids reduces their antiradical activity, and affects their cell uptake and biological activity in vitro., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids (QBAs) are an important subgroup of plant secondary metabolites. Their main representatives, sanguinarine (SG) and chelerythrine (CHE), have pleiotropic biological effects and a wide spectrum of medicinal applications. The biotransformation of SG and CHE has only been partially studied while subsequent oxidative transformation of their dihydro derivates, the main metabolites, is practically unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the biotransformation of CHE and dihydrochelerythrine (DHCHE) in detail, with respect to their more extensive biotransformation than SG. Phase I as well as phase II biotransformation of both compounds was examined in human hepatocyte suspensions. Liquid chromatography with electrospray-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QqTOF MS) was used for analysis of the metabolites. Using the LC-ESI-QqTOF MS method, we analyzed and then suggested the putative structures of 11 phase I and 5 phase II metabolites of CHE, and 11 phase I and 6 phase II metabolites of DHCHE. For the most abundant metabolites of CHE, DHCHE and O-demethylated DHCHE, their cytotoxicity on primary cultures of human hepatocytes was analyzed. Both metabolites were nontoxic up to 50μM concentration and this indicates decreasing toxic effects for CHE biotransformation products, i.e. DHCHE and O-demethylated DHCHE., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Galloyl esters of quercetin and taxifolin have been recently prepared semisynthetically as part of work towards modifying the solubility and modulating the biological activity of these natural flavonoids. In this paper we focused on the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) profiling of metabolites of 3-O-galloylquercetin and 7-O-galloyltaxifolin using human hepatocytes as the in vitro cell model. A subtoxic concentration (50μM) was used for both compounds and the formation of metabolites was monitored for 2h in hepatocytes and cultivation medium separately. Using negative electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QqTOF MS), we identified different biotransformation patterns for the studied compounds. 3-O-Galloylquercetin is metabolized directly to glucuronides and methyl derivatives. In contrast, 7-O-galloyltaxifolin is oxidized to 7-O-galloylquercetin or cleaved to taxifolin, and consequently the products formed are sulfated or glucuronidated. The oxidative biotransformation of 3-O-galloylquercetin and 7-O-galloyltaxifolin is also accompanied by ester bond cleavage presumably by cellular enzymes (esterases) in a nonspecific manner. Our results provide fundamental insights into the biotransformation of monogalloyl esters of flavonoids and can be applied in investigations of the pharmaceutical potential of other galloylated polyphenolic substances., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A new analytical protocol for identification of Prussian blue (PB) and indigo was proposed. Pigments useful for dating of artworks were detected by flow injection analysis/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry after alkalization of their suspensions in water, decomposition of PB to iron (III) hydroxide and hexacyanoferrate (II) and reduction of indigo to soluble leucoindigo using sodium dithionite. Limits of detection (PB 47 pg, indigo 59 pg) complied with requirements for analysis of microsamples of historical paintings. Potential of the developed method was proven in analysis of blue samples of two oil paintings from the 20(th) century. Further, PB was confirmed in a microsample from a painting of 'Crucifixion', St. Sebestian church on St. Hill in Mikulov, Czech Republic., (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Quercetin and gallic acid are natural activators of the transcription factor Nrf2, which regulates the expression of many cytoprotective enzymes including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We developed procedures for the synthesis of monogalloyl esters of quercetin and taxifolin (dihydroquercetin), namely, 3-O-galloylquercetin and 7-O-galloyltaxifolin, and examined their effect on the Nrf2 pathway in RAW264.7 cells. Unlike quercetin and free gallic acid, 3-O-galloylquercetin and natural quercetin derivatives isoquercitrin (quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucoside) and taxifolin had no effect on the expression of HO-1. In contrast, 7-O-galloyltaxifolin increased both mRNA and protein levels of HO-1 at concentrations of 25 μM and above. The induction of HO-1 by 7-O-galloyltaxifolin was primarily associated with the production of reactive oxygen species and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including p38 MAPKs and ERKs, followed by nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and downregulation of Keap1, a negative regulator of Nrf2. We conclude that 7-O-galloyltaxifolin upregulates HO-1 via activation of the MAPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Electrochemical oxidation of the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine in aqueous medium was studied by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Two anodic peaks of the quaternary form of berberine were observed at +1.2V and +1.4V (vs. SCE) in acidic and neutral solutions. When the anodic polarization exceeded the value of +1.1 V, the redox active film is formed on the GCE surface. The formation of adsorbed film was well-documented by quasireversible redox couple at +0.25 V which was studied in redox cycling experiments. In alkaline medium, a new anodic peak at +0.5 V appeared due to oxidation of berberine pseudobase to 8-oxoberberine. Solutions of berberine at different pH were subjected to controlled potential electrolysis on platinum gauze electrode and analyzed using liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with electrospray ionization/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The main water soluble monomeric product of berberine oxidation under physiological-near experimental conditions, OP1, was identified as demethyleneberberine cation (2,3-dihydroxy-9,10-dimethoxy-5,6-dihydroisoquinolino[3,2-a]isoquinolin-7-ium)., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Liquid chromatography (LC) on various stationary phases was used for the metabolite profile analysis of quercetin, rutin, isoquercitrin and taxifolin. The metabolites were obtained using an in vitro model system of human and rat hepatocytes in the form of cell suspensions and the primary cultures. For separations of the parent compounds and their metabolites, stationary phases based on C₁₈, C₈, cyanopropyl (CNP) or phenyl (PHE) modifications of silica were tested. CNP and PHE stationary phases operating in reversed-phase mode have been shown to be efficient for separation of parent flavonoids and their polar metabolites. Individual metabolites were identified on the basis of an elemental composition determination using electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QqTOF MS) on-line connected with an LC system. Detailed analytical parameters such as retention times, selectivity, resolution of chromatographic peaks, MS fragmentation and UV-vis absorption maxima were determined for individual metabolites, namely for phase II biotransformation products. The predominant metabolites were methylated flavonols and flavonol glucuronides. The highest biotransformation rate was found with taxifolin, which was mainly converted to sulfates. The HPLC/ESI-QqTOF MS analyses revealed that quercetin and taxifolin were metabolized more extensively than the studied glycosides, rutin and isoquercitrin., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hyphenation of micro-liquid and ultra-performance liquid chromatography with a hybrid (QqTOF) tandem mass spectrometry was studied from the viewpoint of their applicability for monitoring of anthocyanin dyes in various cultivars and different vintages of red wine. After appropriate optimization both techniques proved to be suitable for this task. UHPLC system provided lower LOD and LOQ values as well as higher productivity and precision of retention parameters and peak areas with respect to micro-LC method. On the other hand, micro-LC method offers significant savings of mobile phase, less contamination of ion source of mass spectrometer and makes the nebulization process in electrospray much easier. In combination with principal component analysis (PCA), the method allows to elucidate long-term relations in a complete set of certified red wine cultivars grown in South Moravia (certified in Czech Republic until year 2005). Among the studied varieties Rubinet exhibit a specific anthocyanin profile. Especially interesting is a high content of 3-coumaroylglucoside-5-glucosides of malvidin and peonidin. Those dyes can be used as markers of artificial color enhancement. Principal component analysis applied to data processed with regard to enzymatic activity markedly facilitate classification among varieties. This approach allows resolution of teinturiers, variety Blaufränkish and partial classification of other varieties., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The metabolism of the benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids was studied using human hepatocytes which are an excellent model system for biotransformation studies. For analysis of the alkaloids and their metabolites, an electrospray quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometry (ESI ion-trap MS) connected to a reversed phase chromatographic system based on cyanopropyl modified silica was used. The optimized experimental protocol allowed simultaneous analysis of the alkaloids and their metabolites and enabled study of their uptake into and interconversion in human hepatocytes. The results show that formation of the dihydro metabolite which may be followed by specific O-demethylenation/O-demethylation processes, is probably the main route of biotransformation (detoxification) of the benzo[c]phenanthridines in human hepatocytes. The structure of the main O-demethyl metabolite (2-methoxy-12-methyl-12,13-dihydro-[1,3]dioxolo[4',5':4,5]benzo[1,2-c]phenanthridin-1-ol; 336.1 m/z,) was proposed by the multi-stage MS and quadrupole time-of-flight MS methods using chemically synthesized standard., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Anthocyanins from the fruit Lonicera caerulea L. var. kamtschatica (blueberry honeysuckle, Caprifoliaceae) were studied via (semi)preparative chromatographic fractionation followed by MS and μLC/MS analysis. The extraction procedure was optimized with respect to analytical purposes as well as its potential use for the preparation of nutraceuticals. The highest yield of anthocyanins was obtained using acidified methanol as the extraction medium. A comparable total anthocyanin content was obtained using a mixture of methanol and acetone. However, when Lonicera anthocyanins were in contact with acetone, a condensation reaction occurred to a large extent and related 5-methylpyranoanthocyanins were found. The effect of other extraction media, including ethanol as a "green" solvent, is also discussed. The potential of two fractionation procedures for extract purification differing in their chromatographic selectivity and scale was studied (i.e. using a Sephadex LH-20 gel column and a reversed phase). Fractions obtained by both procedures were used for a detailed analysis. MS and μLC/MS(2) methods were used for monitoring anthocyanin and 5-methylpyranoderivatives content as well as identifying less common and more complex dyes (dimer of cyanidin-3-hexoside, cyanidin-ethyl-catechin-hexosides, etc.). These more complex dyes are most likely formed during fruit treatment., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)