Detection of Adulteration in Commercial Cranberry Juice Drinks and Concentrates

Abstract

Thirty-one samples of commercial cranberry juice drink and one sample of commercial cranberry juice concentrate were analyzed for nonvolatile acids and anthocyanidin profiles by liquid chromatography (LC). Ultraviolet-visible spectral measurements were used to measure pigment concentration, polymeric color, and percent polymeric color. Nineteen of the 31 samples analyzed were found to be adulterated. The adulterated samples exhibited nonvolatile organic acid profiles indicative of added malic and/or citric acid. Anthocyanidin profiles of the adulterated samples showed the presence of substantial quantities of delphinidin and malvidin, neither of which are present in cranberries in significant amounts. Grape skin extract is believed to be the added colorant.