Evaluation of Main Anthocyanins in Skin of Forest Pear (Pyrus pyraster) (Sange Khouj) Fruit in Guilan Province of Iran

The anthocyanins of the fruit skin of Iranian forest pear (Sange Khouj) were separated, identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection (HPLC/DAD) and HPLC/electrospray ionization /mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI /MS). The individual anthocyanins were identified by comparing their mass spectral data and retention times with those of standards and published data. Cyanidin-3-galactoside was the major compound, taking up 93% of the total anthocyanin content. The content of Cyanidin-3-galactoside reached 23.7±3.2 mg 100 g-1 fresh weight, followed by the eighth peak (2.14%) and Cyanidin-3-glucoside (1.23%). Pelargonidin- 3-rutinoside was identified for the first time in ordinary pear (P. communis L). DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays showed that the extract from the fruit peel of ‘Sange Khouj’ contained anthocyanins and possessed high antioxidant capacity.