Abstract: In this study, we performed a comparative analysis of anthocyanins in the fruits of three varieties of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.), namely Iliad, Berel and Gerda, using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS/MS). The results showed that a total of 24 anthocyanins were identified in all the samples, including 14 cyanidin anthocyanins, six peonidin anthocyanins, two delphinidin anthocyanins and two pelargonidin anthocyanins. Among them, nine anthocyanins were found in the fruits of blue honeysuckle for the first time. The main anthocyanins in the fruits of all three blue honeysuckle varieties were cyanidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside and cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside. Comparative studies showed that the composition of anthocyanins was different in the three varieties of blue honeysuckle. A total of 24, 23 and 12 anthocyanins were detected in the fruits of Iliad, Belegli and Gerda, respectively. In addition, the relative contents of anthocyanins in the fruits of Iliad and Berel were significantly higher than in Gerda. This study will provide the foundation for further study on the molecular genetic mechanism of anthocyanin synthesis and accumulation in blue honeysuckle and for the selection and breeding of new varieties of blue honeysuckle rich in anthocyanins.

Key words: blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.); anthocyanins; ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight-tandem mass spectrometry