Studies of the copigmentation of compounds analogous to anthocyanins

Author(s)

Bárbara Held

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2015-08-07

Examining board members

Frank Herbert Quina; Carolina Vautier Teixeira Giongo; Denise Freitas Siqueira Petri; Daniel Rettori; Peter Wilhelm Tiedemann

• Advisor: Frank Herbert Quina

Abstract

The proposal of this project was to study the reactions of model compounds of anthocyanins (synthetic hydroxyl- and hydroxyl/methoxyflavylium ions), with metal ions, as well as organic copigments or both, in a ternary complex. With results obtained from these systems, it was intended to propose mechanisms and understand how this structure - flavylium ion-metal ion-organic copigment - enables maintenance of the color of anthocyanins in natura. This study would provide information to investigate and search for evidence of synergic effect in the stabilization of these model compounds. Four model compounds were synthesized for the study - chloride salts of 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylflavylium (DHMF), 8-hydroxy-4-methyl-7-methoxyflavylium (HMMF), 3\',4\'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavylium (B-DHMF) and 7,3\',4\'-trimethoxyflavylium (B-TMF). Each one of those compounds presents a catechol-like structure, with bounded hydroxyl and/or methoxy in vicinal positions. The main aims were to synthesize, characterize and study photophysical properties, with a view to determine the concentration of multiequilibria species according to the pH of the medium. The first step was an investigation of metallic complexes produced with Al3+ ions. The stoichiometries were determined as 1:1, 2:3 and 1:3 (flavylium:Al3+), depending on the methodology adopted. Complexation constants were estimated between 104 and 105 M-x, where x represents stoichiometry. A second step was the study of interaction of flavylium ions and organic copigments, such as the following phenolic acids: para-coumaric acid (PCA), ferulic acid (FRA), sinapic acid (SNA), vanilic acid (VNA) and siryngic acid (SRA). Using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, a stoichiometry of 1:1 for each of the pigment:copigment pairs was found. Equilibrium constants were determined, and there was no significant differences considering the structures of flavylium ions, although for cinnamic acid derivatives the constants found are slightly larger. The same reactions studied in pH of about 5.0, showed that affinities between the cationic forms and the phenolic acids are larger in comparison to the bases. The stability of the cation regarding the hydration reaction is much smaller in the presence of these organic acids than in the presence of Al3+ or cucurbit[7]uril. At last, the third step involved both types of copigment - metal ions and organic acids - in a supramolecular assembly with flavylium ions. It was observed that different concentrations of the two types of copigments studied are required for B-DHMF and DHMF to stabilize the cationic form; much larger concentrations of Al3+ in the complex in which B-DHMF are involved. It was also concluded that the presence of organic copigments, less representatively, are necessary for the maintenance of the color, an evidence of synergic behaviour. An additional study, which was not in the scope of the project, but did provide another source of flavylium stabilization, was the reaction inclusion of B-TMF with CB[7] cucurbit[7]uril. This step was developed in collaboration with Prof. Cornelia Bohne, at the University of Victoria (UVic), Canada. It consisted of the determination of the equilibrium and kinetic constants of this host-guest system, in which the flavylium cation interacts as the guest for the macrocyclic host. It was proposed a sequential 1:2 (B-TMF:CB[7]) mechanism that provides an alternative to avoid the hydration reaction of B-TMF, where CB[7] must be present in concentrations large enough to form the 1:2 complex. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/00383-9 - Studies of the Copigmentation of compounds analogous to anthocyanins
• Grantee: Bárbara Held
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)