Identification of Anthocyanins and Their Fouling Mechanisms during Non-Thermal Nanofiltration of Blueberry Aqueous Extracts

Organic fouling in the nanofiltration (NF) process, which is a non-thermal technology to recover active components, is a critical problem limiting its applications. This study seeks to identify the anthocyanins on the NF membrane and explore their fouling mechanisms during concentration of blueberry extracts. Seven kinds of monomeric anthocyanins in foulants—delphinidin-3-O-galactoside, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, petunidin-3-O-galactoside, peonidin-3-O-glucoside, and malvidin-3-O-glucoside—were identified. Moreover, chalcone, myricetin derivative, and an unknown substance with [M(+)H](+) at m/z 261.1309, which is the fragment ion corresponding to the break of glycoside bond of anthocyanins, were obtained. Interactions between anthocyanins and membrane made from polyamide were principally governed by the CH-π and π-π stacking of aromatic rings, the establishment of hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic interaction. This study will be helpful to further control fouling and choice of cleaning agents in concentration of anthocyanins-rich extracts.