Anthocyanin Analysis as a Measure of Glycosidase Activity in Enzymes for Juice Processing

A screening procedure combining HPLC and spectrophotometric analyses was developed to measure glycosidase activity of enzyme preparations used for juice processing. Enzyme preparations (27) were evaluated; several contained β‐galactosidase activity which can decompose cranberry juice pigments. β‐galactosidase and α‐arabinosidase activities were also determined using standard procedures (nitrophenol glycosides as substrates). Comparative results showed inconsistencies between the two procedures. Cranberry juice processing demonstrated that some enzyme preparations could decompose anthocyanin pigments under processing conditions. Pigment loss was much higher when enzymes were used with juice than with crushed fruit.