Solubilization of water soluble anthocyanins in apolar medium using reverse micelle

Crude anthocyanins extracted from grape skin were solubilized in hexane containing 100 mM bis(2-ethylhexyl)sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) by forming stable reverse micelles (RMs). Anthocyanins solubilized in RMs showed about four times greater color intensity than that in aqueous medium. The color intensity of anthocyanins in RMs was primarily affected by the interaction between sulfonate head of AOT and flavylium cation of anthocyanins. The molar ratio of water to AOT (Wo) also influenced the color properties. As the Wo increased from five to 20, the color intensity increased and resulted in a bathochromic shift. This result suggests that increased micelle size facilitates complexation between AOT and flavylium cation. The color stability of anthocyanins in RM was higher than that of buffered anthocyanins during the storage at 30 degrees C. The current study might be utilized as a model system to predict color properties of anthocyanins in apolar medium.