Anthocyanin content of two Hibiscus sabdariffa cultivars grown in Senegal

Abstract

Anthocyanin content of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces was determined to compare two cultivars from Senegal called Koor and Vimto. Results showed a significant difference in terms of total anthocyanin content (TA) and relative abundance (RA) of anthocyanin species. Values of TA for Vimto were 3-fold higher than Koor’s. Two minor anthocyanins, delphinidine-3-glucoside and cyanidine-3-glucoside, not frequently mentioned in literature, were detected in both cultivars. Cyanidin-3-glucoside in particular was present only in Koor calyces. The influence of agronomic conditions on TA and RA was highlighted.

Keywords : Anthocyanin, Chemotaxonomic markers, Cultivar diversity