Abstract: The compositions of anthocyanins in Lycium ruthenicum Murr.were characterized and identified by UV-visible spectrophotometry and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS.The results indicated that (1) One or more of delphinidin,petunidin,malvidin and their derivatives might be the main components due to the anthocyanins from L.ruthenicum in 0.1% hydrochloric acid-methanol showing a mulberry solution;no redshift after 5% AlCl₃ methanol solution was added in extract proved that there was no ortho phenolic hydroxyl in the B ring of anthocyanin structure;the ratio of A_440nm/A_λmax was less than 20% indicated that the pigment was a disubstituted anthocyanins of 3,5-O-diglycoside;there was a maximum absorption at 304 nm indicated that acyl was contained within the pigment molecules;the main monosaccharide in hudrolyzate of pigment was glucose.The above results may initially speculated that the main pigment was a acylated malvidin 3,5-O-diglucoside.(2) Eight anthocyanins in L. ruthenicum were separated and identified through comprehensive analysis of UV absorption spectra,MS spectra and literature data.The pigments (contents,%) were finally determined to be delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (0.86%),peonidin-3-O-glucoside (1.17%),petunidin-5-O-glucoside (2.38%), petunidin-3-O-(6-O-p-coumaryl)rutinoside-5-O-glucoside (11.79%),malvidin-3-O-(6-O-p-coumaryl,3-O-acetyl)-5-O-diglucoside (68.35%),delphinidin-3-O-(6-O-acetyl)-glucoside (0.63%), malvidin-3-O-(6-O-p-coumaryl)glucoside (5.24%) and malvidin-3,5-O-diglucoside (9.58%).Anthocyanins were important components of L.ruthenicum,this study provided additional evidence for the quality evaluation of L.ruthenicum.

Key words: Lycium ruthenicum Murr., anthocyanin, UV-visible spectrophotometry, HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, structural identification