Proposed formation mechanism, antioxidant activity and MDA-MB-231 cells survival analysis of two glucose-ammonium sulfite caramel colour melanoidins fractions

► Furfuran is the main skeleton of glucose-ammonium sulfite caramel colour melanoidin. ► Side links of glucose-ammonium sulfite caramel colour melanoidins contain amidolinks. ► Glucose-ammonium sulfite caramel colour has significant radical-scavenging activity. ► Effects of glucose-ammonium sulfite caramel colour on MDA-MB-231 cells survival are complex.