Light affects anthocyanins in two different ways. Light is essential for the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, but it also accelerates their degradation (Markakis, 1982). Anthocyanins preserve their color much better when kept in the dark; the difference was seen already after 24 hours when anthocyanins were stored in light and for comparison in the dark at room temperature in pH 2.3 (Kearsley and Rodriguez, 1981).