Simultaneous LC-MS quantification of anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin phenolics from blueberries with widely divergent profiles and biological activies

A sensitive and straightforward LC-IT-TOF-MS method was validated for the profiling and simultaneous quantification of anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, phenolic acids, and resveratrol in blueberry genotypes with fruit color ranging from deep purple (Vaccinium angustifolium) to various shades of pink (crosses of V. corymbosum, V. darrowii, and V. ashei). Standard calibration curves were linear for all analytes with correlation coefficients >0.99. The relative standard deviation for intra- and inter-day precision was lower than 10%. The method allowed an easy and selective identification and quantification of phenolics in blueberries with divergent profiles. The in vitro antioxidant assay results were strongly correlated with total phenolics and total anthocyanin content. Lowbush blueberry extracts (50 μg/mL) reduced ROS and NO production, and inhibited the transcription of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6β, COX2, iNOS, and IL-6 in the in vitro assays at much lower concentrations than pink fruited berries (250 μg/mL).