Determination of major anthocyanin pigments in Hellenic native grape varieties (Vitis vinifera sp.): association with antiradical activity

In order to investigate the anthocyanin content and ascertain whether anthocyanins account for antioxidant activity in grape berry extracts, six prevalent anthocyanins were determined in 13 Hellenic native and four of the so-called “international” varieties widely cultivated in Greece. Anthocyanin content varied from 85.7 to 1914.0 mg kg−1 fresh berry weight, the mean being 731.7 mg kg−1. Assessment of the antiradical activity of extracts using the stable 2,2-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl radical revealed a low and statistically insignificant correlation (r2=0.0724, P>0.05) with total anthocyanin content, suggesting that other constituents are likely to exert strong antioxidant effects in grapes.