In this study, the effects of co-pigmentation with metals ions (Al3+, Ca2+, Fe3+ and Sn2+) on the stability of anthocyanins and total phenolic content (TPC) in red cabbage extract under thermal treatment, spray drying (165oC) and storage were investigated. During thermal treatment, samples were heated in a water bath (90oC) at different time intervals, from 0 to 120 min. Spray sealed and stored
... [Show full abstract] at 37oC for 5 weeks. The degradation of anthocyanin and TPC was described using first-order reaction kinetics and the rate constants (k) were determined by regression analysis. In general, the results demonstrated that addition of metal ions reduced TPC loss and accelerated the anthocyanins degradation. Under thermal treatment, the highest loss in anthocyanins was found in samples containing Sn2+ (k=0.00173 min-1) whereas aluminum ion (Al3+) exhibited less detrimental effect (k=0.00106 min-1). During spray drying, except Al3+, metal ions induced significant losses of anthocyanins, ranging from 7.3 to 10.6%. However, TPC degradation in samples containing metal ions (18.6 22.2%) was less than that of control samples (26.7%). Metal ions negatively affected anthocyanins content but improved the retention of phenolic compounds in encapsulated samples during storage. Degradation kinetic constant of anthocyanins in the presence of Sn2+ (k= 0.03602 week-1) was more significant than that of control sample (0.00644 week-1). Nonetheless, metal ions could help retain up to 6.0% more TPC as compared to control sample. The results could be quite helpful for the application of red cabbage or other plant extracts in food products under various processing conditions.