Characterisation by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry of anthocyanins in extracts of Myrtus communis L. berries used for the preparation of myrtle liqueur

Anthocyanins in extracts of berries of Myrtus communis, prepared following a typical Sardinia myrtle liqueur recipe, were identified and quantified by HPLC coupled with electrospray/tandem mass spectrometry using, respectively, an ion trap and a triple quadrupole mass analyser. The fragmentation patterns of the anthocyanidins were dependent on the MS technique employed, and differed considerably from those previously reported. The anthocyanin profile of five anthocyanin glucosides and four anthocyanin arabinosides, the latter not previously identified in this specie, was specific for myrtle berry extracts. The quantitative compositions of extracts of myrtle berries derived from different geographical areas in Italy were compared.