Reaction Kinetics of Monomeric Anthocyanin Conversion to Polymeric Pigments and Their Significance to Color in Interspecific Hybrid Wines

The color stability of red wines produced from interspecific hybrid grapes, which is partially dependent on anthocyanin diglucosides, is not well understood. In this study, the rate of decrease of monomeric anthocyanins as they polymerized to polymeric pigments due to the presence of excess catechin and acetaldehyde was measured in model wine using HPLC. Colorimetry was used to measure L*, a*, and b* values, hue angle, and change in color (ΔE). Concentrations of individual diglucosides decreased more slowly than monoglucosides. When monoglucosides and diglucosides were combined, the reaction rate of monoglucosides was slower than that of monoglucosides alone. Hue angles described transitions from red to red-orange, orange, or orange-yellow as anthocyanin-specific changes occurred. The evolution in color represents dynamic reactions between anthocyanins, catechin, and acetaldehyde. Consequently, wines containing high concentrations of diglucosides, such as those produced from interspecific hybrid grapes, will form less polymeric pigment than wines containing primarily monoglucosides.