RT Journal Article T1 Natural Food Colorant Obtained fromWild Berberis vulgaris L. by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction: Optimization and Characterization A1 Vega, Erika N. A1 Cebadera Miranda, María Elena A1 González-Zamorano, Lorena A1 Barros, Lillian A1 Pires, Tânia C.S.P. A1 Molina, Adriana K. A1 da Silva, Tayse F.F. A1 Vidal-Diez de Ulzurrum, Guillermo A1 Tardío, Javier A1 Cámara Hurtado, María De La Montaña A1 Fernández Ruiz, Virginia A1 Morales Gómez, Patricia AB In this study, a novel natural food colorant based on anthocyanins was developed from wild barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) fruits using ultrasound-assisted extraction, which was optimized through RSM. Four extraction variables (ultrasound power, time, S/L ratio, and extraction solvent pH) were evaluated in combination. The response criteria used were the total anthocyanin content (TAC) and color parameters. The optimal TAC was achieved at 2.5 min, 345W, pH 3, and 22.12 g/L. The fruit sample (without seeds) (BVFF) and its optimized extract (BVE) were characterized in terms of chemical composition and bioactivities. Delphinidin-3-O-glucoside was identified as the predominant anthocyanin. BVE exhibited a total phenolic content of 290.72 mg/g. Additionally, both BVFF and BVE presented significant antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activity, especially in the case of BVE, which inhibited the growth of several foodborne bacteria and fungi and even showed bactericidal capacity against most of the tested bacteria, particularly against E. cloacae, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and B. cereus. These results highlight the richness of BVFF and BVE in bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins, underscoring their potential as natural food colorants that can be used in food product formulations instead of synthetic azo colorants. PB MDPI YR 2025 FD 2025 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/122282 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/122282 LA eng NO Vega, E.N.; González- Zamorano, L.; Cebadera, E.; Barros, L.; Pires, T.C.S.P.; Molina, A.K.; da Silveira, T.F.F.; Vidal-Diez de Ulzurrun, G.; Tardío, J.; Cámara, M.; et al. Natural Food Colorant Obtained from Wild Berberis vulgaris L. by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction: Optimization and Characterization. Foods 2025, 14, 183. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/foods14020183 NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España) DS Docta Complutense RD 10 jul 2025