Liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis of anthocyanin composition of dark blue bee pollen from Echium plantagineum

Dark blue bee pollen samples from pollinic type Echium plantegineum were analysed in order to identify and quantify their anthocyanin pigments. Five samples were collected from different apicultural Spanish regions and the anthocyanin composition was determined by HPLC with diode array and MS detection. Eight different pigments were identified, the principal anthocyanin being petunidin-3-O-rutinoside. The other pigments found were delphinidin, cyanidin and petunidin-3-O-glucoside; delphinidin, cyanidin, peonidin and malvidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-(6″-malonylglucoside). The anthocyanin content ranged from 45 to 80 mg/100 g of blue pollen, which could represent a significant source of phytochemicals. Minor variations in the anthocyanin profiles were found, which could be explained by the geographical differences between collection regions.