Effects of electrode materials on the degradation, spectral characteristics, visual colour, and antioxidant capacity of cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sophoroside during pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment

The effects of three electrode materials – stainless steel (SS), pure titanium (PT), and titanium-based alloy (TA) – on the PEF-induced degradation, spectral characteristics, visual colour, and antioxidant capacity of cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy-3-glc) and cyanidin-3-sophoroside (Cy-3-soph) were studied. Cy-3-glc and Cy-3-soph were degraded by PEF; SS retained Cy-3-glc and Cy-3-soph the most, while PT and TA led to greater degradation. Cy-3-glc was more susceptible to PEF than Cy-3-soph. The intensity of UV–Vis spectra absorbance at 520 nm decreased, but it increased at 280 and 325 nm after PEF when using the three electrodes. Their lightness (L∗) exhibited no changes with SS, but showed a significant reduction with PA and TA. Redness (a∗) significantly decreased with all three electrodes; the yellowness (b∗) of Cy-3-glc with PA and TA, and of Cy-3-soph with SS, were also significantly reduced. The antioxidant capacity of Cy-3-glc and Cy-3-soph with SS, in contrast to PT and TA, was enhanced after PEF.

► Degradation of Cy-3-glc and Cy-3-soph by PEF was related to the electrode material.
► OH and metallic ions both contributed to degradation of anthocyanins by PEF.
► Degradation of anthocyanins resulted to change in colour, spectrum and antioxidation.
► Cy-3-glc was more susceptible to PEF than Cy-3-soph.