The color of the calyxes of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a quality parameter that is considered by consumers and it is related with the concentration of some phytochemicals. There is not information on the relationship between this parameter and some physicochemical characteristics of the aqueous extracts in Hibiscus varieties grown in Mexico. The aim of the present work was to determine the color of calyxes of eight different Roselle varieties and to establish the relationship with chemical parameters of the aqueous extracts. The color of the calyxes (whole and ground) and the extracts was measured with a Hunter-Lab colorimeter. Total anthocyanin content (ANT), ascorbic acid (AA), titratable acidity, pH and °Brix were determined. The color of the calyxes and extracts was related to anthocyanin and AA con- tents. Varieties with dark red calyxes contained five to seven times higher ANT content than varieties with light red calyxes. The variety with white calyxes had the highest AA content. In the case of color parameters, ground calyx brightness could be used to estimate ANT content due to the high and negative correlation observed between these two variables.

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